Tag: HEERF

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CLEARS OVER $4.5 MILLION IN STUDENT BALANCES

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LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SUPPORTS STUDENTS BY CLEARING BALANCES THROUGH HEERF GRANT FUNDING
Langston University Office of Public Relations

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University announced it will clear student balances through the use of HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) grant for students enrolled in the Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 academic terms. The debt cleared through this initiative totals $4,587,485.82, and will directly assist students by immediately paying off debt owed to the university. This is the second time Langston University has cleared student debt through the use of the grant. The first debt relief initiative occurred in August 2021.

“Throughout the pandemic, our institution has sought ways to lessen the burden and remove barriers to degree completion for our students,” said Langston University President Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. “We are excited for what this debt relief means to our students and to their families.”

This initiative will also eliminate balances for former students not currently enrolled at the institution as well as graduates who will now be cleared of any balance preventing them from receiving an official transcript, as long as they were enrolled in either the Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 semesters. There is no expectation or requirement for enrollment in a future semester to receive this benefit. This initiative will clear balances owed in tuition, fees, and fines. Students are still responsible for their federal, state, or private loans.

In addition to this transformational initiative, the Office of the Registrar will consider late applications for graduation due to the timing of this award.

The full letter from President Smith may be found at this link.

LU students pose in their graduation caps and gowns at graduation

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY TO CLEAR $4.6 MILLION IN BALANCES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A ‘PANDEMIC SEMESTER’ TO ZERO

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By Christina Gray, Media Relations Specialist

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University students and graduates have received life-changing news in a letter from President Kent J. Smith, Jr. Today, the University announced that it will clear student account balances for students enrolled in the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 semesters through the support of the HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) III HBCU Award. The amount of student account balances erased through this initiative totals $4,654,112.06.

“We know the hardship that our community has faced over the course of the pandemic,” said Langston University Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ruth Jackson.

“We care about our students and their families. It is our hope that this will ease some of the financial burdens and provide our scholars more financial freedom in the future. We know for many of our students this will provide them the opportunity to continue in the academic journey.”

This initiative will also include former students not currently enrolled at the institution as well as graduates who will now be cleared of any balance and hold preventing them from receiving an official transcript. There is no expectation or requirement for enrollment in a future semester to receive the benefit of the cleared balance. The funding allows the University to bring balances for students enrolled in a ‘pandemic semester’ to zero. This initiative will clear balances owed in tuition, fees, and fines. Students are still responsible for their federal, state, or private loans.

“At LU, we always put our students first and this initiative directly aligns with our mission to serve. This will provide our students with support to fully focus on academics and further support them in their journey to graduation and a successful career,” said Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., Langston University President.

“We are excited for what this transformational gift means for our students, former students, and recent graduates!”

Students who are enrolled or plan to enroll in the Fall 2021 semester will be eligible for additional financial support through the HEERF III student aid fund. Read the full letter from President Smith here.