Oklahoma State University (OSU) Moves To Help Students Amidst COVID Crisis

COVID IS CAUSING FINANCIAL CHAOS

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a massive economic impact on individuals, families, and businesses all around the world, especially in the United States. Between record unemployment numbers, massive furloughs, and a world that has the only option of moving to a digital space, the chaos that has resulted is unprecedented in modern times.

Universities in the United States have received aid from the federal government as part of the federal stimulus package (CARES act), to ensure that faculty and students are able to adapt to the current situation, with some offering aid to students (and perhaps their families) who need it as a result of this pandemic.

COVID IS A CRISIS FOR STUDENTS

In Oklahoma, where educational institutions are set to receive more than $159 million as part of the stimulus package, schools are trying to figure out a way to help students. Students may be especially hit hard by this pandemic since many don’t work, and a growing number of students come from working-class backgrounds.

Now while other Oklahoma schools are trying to figure out how to best help faculty, Oklahoma State University (OSU) currently has an open application for student aid during COVID-19.  Oklahoma Vice President for Enrollment and Brand Management, Kyle Wray says that the school will use a tiered system to determine which students will qualify for aid, though students who already were receiving aid will take priority.

NEEDS-BASED AID SYSTEM

While this application form will use similar need-based assessment as the FAFSA and Pell Grants, and those students will be first in line, students who have not filled out a FAFSA form will still be eligible.

Kyle Wray also had this to say about OSU awarding the prospective aid to students:

“There will be some families that may need $1,000, there’s maybe some families that will need north of $1,000”.

Though OSU is currently the only school in Oklahoma that currently has an application system open, students all over the state at over 25 colleges, universities, as well as trade schools, may be eligible for this type of assistance.

Senator Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, also made a statement regarding this funding saying:

“This funding will go a long way in helping ensure faculty and students are properly cared for during this public health crisis.”

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