Navigating Scholarships at Oakland University: A Comprehensive Guide

Since its establishment in 1957, Oakland University (OU) has prioritized accessible education, offering various financial aid options, including tuition-free opportunities for eligible students. Over half of the student body receives financial assistance to cover tuition costs, reflecting the university's commitment to affordability.

Understanding the Basics of Financial Aid at OU

The journey to securing financial aid at Oakland University begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application serves as the primary tool for determining eligibility for various forms of financial assistance.

Key Deadlines

To maximize your chances of receiving scholarships and financial aid, it's crucial to adhere to the priority deadlines. These deadlines typically fall on:

March 1 for the fall semester
December 1 for the winter semester
July 1 for the summer semester

Meeting these deadlines ensures timely consideration for available opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for OU financial aid hinges on completing the FAFSA. For merit scholarships, Oakland University typically requires your admission application, transcript and SAT or ACT score (if applicable) by the priority deadline. Awards are based on academic record, including cumulative GPA, at the time of application.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

For need-based grants, entering first-year students who are Michigan residents must complete the FAFSA and fulfill all financial aid requirements by the priority deadline.

Important Considerations

Automatic Consideration: By meeting the priority deadlines, you will automatically be considered for OU scholarships.
Academic Record: Awards are based on your academic record, including GPA and SAT or ACT score (if applicable), at the time of admission.
You may also submit updated transcripts and/or test scores for scholarship reconsideration.
Residency Requirements: U.S. citizens and permanent residents qualify for OU scholarships; international students are generally not eligible, except where reflected.
Award Limits: The total amount of Oakland University institutional awards and tuition waiver benefits cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
Merit Scholarship Limit: Students may only receive one academic merit scholarship (except for the Non-Resident Award, if applicable).
Need-Based Grants: Entering first-year Michigan residents who have financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA will automatically be considered for OU grants.
Financial Need and Cost of Attendance: Financial awards from all sources cannot exceed financial need and/or the cost of attendance.
Transfer Students: Eligible incoming transfer students who have financial need (as determined by completion of the FAFSA) and fulfill all financial aid requirements by December 1 for winter, July 1 for summer or August 1 for fall, will automatically be considered for OU need-based grants.

Types of Financial Aid Available

Oakland University offers a variety of financial aid programs to assist students in funding their education. These include scholarships, grants, student employment opportunities, and loans from various sources.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based primarily on academic accomplishment and do not require repayment. Oakland University offers a variety of scholarship programs.

Merit Scholarships

These scholarships recognize academic excellence and are typically awarded based on GPA, test scores, and other academic achievements.

To be considered for merit scholarships, Oakland University typically must receive your admission application, transcript and SAT or ACT score (if applicable) by the priority deadline of March 1 for fall, December 1 for winter and July 1 for summer. You will automatically be considered for OU scholarships, and awards are based on your academic record, including GPA and SAT or ACT score (if applicable), at the time of admission (test superscores are not considered at this time). You may also submit updated transcripts and/or test scores for scholarship reconsideration.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

The Pescovitz Presidential Scholarship

The Pescovitz Presidential Scholarship is an additional opportunity for students seeking merit-based aid.

Endowed Scholarships

Oakland University boasts a multitude of endowed scholarships, each with its own unique criteria and purpose. These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors who are passionate about supporting students' educational journeys. Here are a few examples:

A.R. Addison Brink Jr. Scholarship: Requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and demonstrated ability to manage school and work, along with leadership experience. Maintain a 3.2 GPA.
Ann V. Scholarship: Requires a minimum 2.7 G.P.A.
The Carol Carpenter Memorial Endowed Writing Scholarship: Created to honor Carol Carpenter, an educator and award-winning writer, this scholarship supports students in the Department of English or Communications & Journalism.
The Doman Family Lean Scholarship: Given to an undergraduate student that has successfully completed a Lean coursework in either HRD or POM curriculum.
The Donald C. Hildum Endowed Scholarship: Established in honor of Dr. Don Hildum, a founding member and former chair of the Department of Communications and Journalism, this scholarship supports communication majors.
The Donna Zobel Endowed Scholarship in Biology: This scholarship supports students whose lives have been enriched by their studies, research experiences and the faculty with whom they interacted.
The Dr. Jeremy R. Agler MPA Leadership Scholarship: Intended to provide an opportunity for a student that is committed to making a difference through their education through the MPA program. Recipient must have at least a 3.0 G.P.A.
The Dr. Nasir Haque Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students who will be entering their junior or senior year of study in, and who have majored and excelled in, the biological sciences.
The Dreamweaver Chinese Language Scholarship: Established because the donors believe in the importance and value of interdisciplinary education for students to become global citizens and want to support undergraduate students who have determined to pursue an interdisciplinary degree with a major or minor in Chinese language.
The Edward Kuhn Memorial Scholarship: Granted to an upper division undergraduate student in the Public Health (PH) or Health Sciences (HS) Programs.
The Gretchen J. Adler Study Abroad Endowed Fund: Provides awards to eligible University undergraduate students to be used for tuition, fees, books, room, board and travel expenses relating to the students’ participation in a University-approved study abroad program.
The Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Islamic Studies Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate students who have completed at least one course in the curriculum for the Islamic Studies minor and meet University standards for academic achievement.
The Jenna Elyse Balabuch Study Abroad Awards: This scholarship supports students planning to study abroad.
The Lauren Kathryn Roche Endowed Scholarship for Social Work: Provides awards to undergraduate students with a declared major in social work for tuition, fees, books, room, board and other costs of attendance.
The Louis R. and Mary L. Bragg Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics: Supports undergraduate students who plan to or are majoring in mathematics, beginning with incoming freshman, who demonstrate strong overall academic performance and excellence in the study of mathematics.
The Mark Murphy Endowed Scholarship: Provides awards to one or more undergraduate student enrolled in the University’s College of Arts & Sciences Art & Art History program, with a declared major in studio art (or a minor if the major does not exist) with a grade point average of 3.0 or better; first priority will be given to students (if any) studying photography and second priority will be given to students (if any) studying studio art.
The Mildred B. Matthews scholarship: Honors Mildred Matthews, wife of George T. Matthews. Mildred was an art historian specializing in American Art who taught at Oakland University during the early years of the department.
The Richard D. and Nancy A. French Public Relations Scholarships: Provides support to spotlight public relations as a vocation and encourage students pursuing a minor or major in public relations.
The Robert E. and A. Genevieve Simmons Endowed fund for Study Abroad Opportunities in Germany: Believed in giving opportunities for cross-cultural experiences and language immersion.
The Stephen and Leah Vartanian Scholarship: Designed for Oakland University students in financial need who have permanent disabilities.

External Scholarships

In addition to OU-specific scholarships, numerous external organizations and agencies offer financial assistance to students. These may include local organizations, foundations, professional associations, civic organizations, corporations, and religious organizations.

Grants

Oakland University grants are available for students whose FAFSA demonstrates financial need. Grants do not require repayment.

OU Grants

Entering first-year Michigan residents who have financial need as determined by the completion of the FAFSA will automatically be considered for OU grants.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Student Employment

Oakland University participates in federal work-study programs, providing on-campus employment opportunities for eligible students.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process for FWS assistance. The Financial Aid Office will determine initial eligibility, hours available to work, and department assignment.

Loans

Oakland University participates in federal financial aid programs, including federal student loans. Loans require repayment, typically after graduation or when enrollment status changes.

Maintaining Eligibility and Renewing Awards

OU scholarships and grants are renewable, provided the criteria is met. Scholarships and grants are evaluated for renewal over the summer; students who attend full-time during the summer semester and utilize their scholarship and/or grant will be evaluated for renewal after summer grades have been posted.

*Attendance in summer classes requires enrollment in full-time OU credits (12+ credits), uses one semester of scholarship eligibility and counts toward the renewal semesters. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of the summer semester to determine if the student is eligible for scholarship renewal for the following fall semester.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance represents an estimate of the expenses a student will have while attending college. It is also the maximum financial assistance a student can receive. The cost of attendance includes estimated direct expenses charged by Oakland University as well as estimated indirect expenses incurred by the student.

Direct Expenses

Direct expenses are those billed directly to the student by Oakland University and include tuition and on-campus housing (if a student lives on campus).

Indirect Expenses

Indirect expenses are those not billed by Oakland University but are expenses a student might incur for books, off-campus room and board, transportation, personal/miscellaneous expenses and loan fees.

Factors Affecting Cost

Actual costs may vary because the number of enrolled credits, housing options, and class standing can vary from student to student.

How Financial Aid is Awarded and Disbursed

Financial aid packages are put together based on the estimated cost of attendance. Federal, state and institutional financial aid can be awarded up to the estimated cost of attendance in coordination with all other resources. The difference between the cost of attendance and the EFC is the financial need. Awards are subject to estimated cost of attendance, limits on individual awards, housing options, enrollment status, grade level, residency, financial need, etc.

Enrollment Status and Adjustments

Initial financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment. After the enrollment period has begun, financial aid packages are adjusted to exhibit the enrollment status on the credit lock date which is the last day to drop a class with a 100% refund for the full semester. Changes in expected enrollment status can be made prior to the start of the enrollment period by completing a Revision Form available at oakland.edu/financialservices/forms .

Disbursement Process

Financial aid funds are paid each semester by crediting the student account (excluding non-disbursable financial aid such as work study) as early as 10 days before the first date of the semester, provided all financial aid requirements are met.

Important Policies and Procedures

Notification of Additional Aid

Students are required to notify the Student Financial Services in writing if they will receive any financial aid which is not included in the award notification. The easiest way to notify Student Financial Services is by completing a Revision Form available online at oakland.edu/financialservices/forms. Scholarship checks should be sent to Student Financial Services and should include the student’s name and Grizzly ID number. If the check is co-payable to the student and Oakland University, the student should write on the endorsement section of the check, “Payable to Oakland University” and endorse the check, then submit it to Student Financial Services.

Repeating Courses

A student can receive financial aid for repeating a previously passed course only once. If a passed course repeated more than once cannot be included in enrollment status and financial aid cannot be received for the course.

Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating family circumstances such as long term loss of employment or income, death, separation or divorce, medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance and a dependent student’s relationship with parent(s) can affect a student’s financial aid package. If a student has extenuating circumstances, an Unusual Circumstances Form and/or a Dependency Status Appeal Form are available online at oakland.edu/financialservices under the Forms menu.

Withdrawal Policies

When an eligible federal Title IV financial aid student withdraws (officially or unofficially) from all classes before 60% of the semester is complete during an enrollment period in which attendance has begun, federal regulations require Oakland University to determine the amount of financial aid earned. A student is only eligible to retain the percent of Title IV aid earned that is equal to the percentage of the enrollment period that was completed by the student. A return calculation will be performed when a student is registered for a future part-of-term which has not yet begun and the student has withdrawn from all current courses which are meeting. The unearned Title IV aid must then be returned to the appropriate federal aid program(s), which may result in the student owing financial aid funds to the University, the federal government, or both. Withdrawing from classes may impact the receipt of future financial aid. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the OU Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes to obtain information on the effects of withdrawing.

Billing and Payments

Oakland University generates a bill each month for which there has been transaction activity relating to tuition, on-campus room and board and other related educational expenses billed through the student account, or if there is a remaining account balance. Billing is done electronically and the bills can be viewed by accessing eBill at mysail.oakland.edu. If a student receives an eBill with an amount due, it is important to pay the bill by the due date. If a student has an amount due and expects financial assistance to pay the bill but it is not reflected on the bill, the student must pay the bill by the due date.

Resources and Support

Oakland University offers a range of resources and support services to assist students with financial aid and related matters. The Student Financial Services office is the primary point of contact for all financial aid inquiries.

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