Oakland University announces federal financial assistance to students affected by COVID-19

OU has received the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funding to provide emergency grants to students.

All students who were eligible for Title IV financial aid (as evidenced by a completed FAFSA), and who were enrolled in winter 2020, will receive a $500 grant. Students exclusively enrolled in online or distance education courses, and international students, are not eligible to receive grants. 10,681 students were notified about the emergency grant via their OU email.

CARES Act grant funds will be distributed to eligible students directly and in the same manner as financial aid refunds. To receive grants in the fastest and safest way, students are encouraged to enroll in non-payroll direct deposit. Those who are currently enrolled in non-payroll direct deposit should access MySAIL to confirm their banking information is accurate. Funds will begin to be deposited in eligible students’ bank accounts on Friday, May 15 at 8 a.m., for those enrolled in non-payroll direct deposit by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13.

During the week of May 18, 2020, an application process for Title IV-eligible students with additional financial need or hardship due to the Coronavirus will open. Students who did not receive a CARES emergency grant and have recently filed a 2019-2020 FAFSA may also submit an application. OU is currently working to ensure the application aligns with the guidelines defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students must meet eligibility requirements for federal financial aid; therefore, they must have completed a 2019-20 FAFSA. If students have not completed a FAFSA, they are encouraged to visit studentaid.gov and complete the 2019-20 FAFSA.

The deadline for applications (and to submit a FAFSA, if a student has not already done so for this academic year) will be June 30. Emergency grant amounts are limited to $500.

Students not eligible for CARES Act grant funding may apply for assistance from the donor-funded OU COVID-19 Special Relief Fund, which has different eligibility requirements than the CARES Act HEERF grants, or discuss other financial options with Student Financial Services.