Langston University is clearing up to $4.5 Million in student debt for their students.
The Oklahoma-based HBCU is using money from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to clear student balances for the 2022-2023 school year. This is the second time that the fund has been used to clear student balances, with the first time being August 2021. The funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and was granted to institutions with unmet financial need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was established with the passage of the CARES Act in 2020, where approximately $14 billion was given to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF.
Langston University cleared $4,587,485 of student debt this via the HEERF funds this year. Altogether, the institution has cleared over $9.2 million in Student Debt between August 2021 & March 2023.
The clearance of student balances applies to students that were enrolled in the Summer 2022, Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 semesters, even those that are no longer enrolled at the university. Langston will also consider late applications for graduation, allowing students with outstanding balances to apply for Spring 2023 commencement.
BREAKING: Langston University has announced it will clear student balances through the use of HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) grant funding for students enrolled in the Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 academic terms.
— Langston University (@LangstonU) March 23, 2023
Langston University President Dr. Kent J. Smith celebrated the move to clear student balances in a memo on the university website. “Throughout the pandemic, our institution has sought ways to lessen the burden and remove barriers to degree completion for our students.”
He added, “We are proud of the positive impact this initiative will have on our students, graduates, and their families for years to come.”
