Attention All OKWU Students

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 grant called HEERF. But there’s no money unless you apply at https://portal.okwu.edu/CARES.

OKWU has received a defined amount of funds for direct grants to students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). These grant funds are to be disbursed as direct payments to students, based on applications made to the university by eligible students. Students are eligible to apply by February 4, 2022, at 5 PM for a grant if they have financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic which have made continuing education difficult.

OKWU is committed to making these HEERF funds available as quickly as possible through an easy application process in alignment with federal requirements. The amount to be disbursed to applicants will be determined by representatives of OKWU, using the guidance provided in the HEERF Act. (Details in FAQ.) The funds are intended to assist students with any expenses or financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic—such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care.

If you have any such expenses, please apply before the deadline of February 4, 2022, at 5 PM. Review full details, the “Am I Eligible” section, and application at okwu.edu/coronavirus.

HOW TO APPLY FOR HEERF:

• Log in to the student portal at https://portal.okwu.edu/CARES and follow the steps provided for the application. 
• Application Deadline: February 4, 2022 at 5 PM
• If you have questions, please email CARESgrant@okwu.edu. Apply today! Your OKWU family is committed to serving you with excellence.

Am I Eligible?

Any student who is or was enrolled at OKWU in Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 is eligible to apply for the HEERF grant at OKWU. With this round of HEERF, applicants may include online and/or on-ground degree seekers—including citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, international students, and similar undocumented students. 

How are HEERF III grant funds allocated?

The amount to be disbursed to applicants will be determined by representatives of OKWU, using the guidance provided in HEERF. The amount will be based on, among other factors, your FAFSA EFC, your enrollment level (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, and less than half-time), and your COVID-19 related challenges. It’s important to note that a formula outlined in HEERF allocated a defined amount of funding for each institution of higher education, including OKWU. At this time, we are uncertain whether OKWU’s defined amount will cover all claimed expenses for all eligible students. 

In determining the eligible students to whom OKWU will issue HEERF III grant funds, OKWU is required to prioritize students with “exceptional need.” Consistent with guidance issued by the ED, OKWU will prioritize domestic students, especially undergraduates, in allocating this funding. Factors considered by OKWU in determining exceptional need include:

• Students who receive Pell Grants
• Undergraduates with extraordinary financial circumstances
• Students who have faced significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment (either for themselves or their families), reduced income, or food or housing insecurity
• Each application period will have a limited amount of funds available to applicants so that emergency grant funding remains available to students as needs arise and/or change. The application will be available online to all students and emailed directly by OKWU to all students. All HEERF III student portion applications must be received before February 4, 2022, at 5 PM.

How will I know if I am approved?

All applications will be reviewed by representatives of OKWU based on the criteria noted above. Applicants will be notified of their determination of available funds through their OKWU student email account. Approved applicants will receive a check for the grant funds as soon as the check can be processed and mailed. This takes approximately one month after the date the application period closes.

Can I apply these funds to my balance at OKWU or reduce my loans?

YES. You will have the option in the application to authorize OKWU to apply these funds to your student account. If it creates a credit balance, OKWU will return funds according to your existing hold credit authorization. If you have questions or are unsure on how to update your account to return loan funds, please email CARESgrant@okwu.edu.

• Student-athlete that would like to talk to a coach or visit campus, please contact the coach directly or the athletic director, Kirk Kelley.
• View the Athletic Staff Directory