News & Communications

On March 27, 2020, Oklahoma City University signed and returned to the Department of Education a Certification and Agreement assuring the Department that the institution will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Oklahoma City University received $768,334 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

As of May 18, 2020, all $768,334 received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students has been awarded to students.

Oklahoma City University encouraged all students to apply for funding if they have incurred expenses as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as food, housing, transportation, technology, course materials, health care, and child-care expenses.

All currently enrolled students at Oklahoma City University were emailed on April 28, 2020, May 1, 2020, May 5, 2020, and May 14, 2020 explaining the grant and inviting the students to apply. The text of the email messages can be found here.

Based on eligibility confirmed by the completion of the FAFSA, there are an estimated 2005 students at Oklahoma City University verifiably eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 18, 2020, 432 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

All student applicants with demonstrated need, as indicated on their applications, received an OCU CARES Emergency Grant of the following amounts:

• 1 category of need indicated on their application: 1000
• 2 categories of need indicated on their application: 1500
• 3 categories of need indicated on their application: 1600
• 4 categories of need indicated on their application: 1700
• 5 categories of need indicated on their application: 1800
• 6 categories of need indicated on their application: 1900
• 7 categories of need indicated on their application: 2000

Out-of-state student applicants with demonstrated need, as indicated on their applications, received an additional $500 as part of their OCU CARES Emergency Grant.

Student applicants residing in emergency summer housing with demonstrated need, as indicated on their applications, received an additional $500 as part of their OCU CARES Emergency Grant.

In following guidance issued by the Department of Education, students who are ineligible to receive federal financial assistance received no consideration for an OCU CARES Emergency Grant.

Update: June 1, 2020

All currently enrolled students at Oklahoma City University were emailed on April 28, 2020, May 1, 2020, May 5, 2020, and May 14, 2020 explaining the grant and inviting the students to apply. The text of the email messages can be found here.