On March 23, a message sent through email from President Smith announced the clearance of $4.3 million in student balances for students enrolled in the Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 semesters through the support of the HEERF Award. Receiving this award was a great opportunity for students to continue their education without financial stress, but this benefit was not available to all.
Sophomore Jada Edwards is a childcare education major. She benefited from the HEERF funds award: the funds relieved her of stress towards the end of the year by allowing her to enroll in classes for the upcoming semester. Edwards feels as though, “it helped more students focus on their grades instead of the bills . It was a big weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. I feel like the downfall was a lot of students and their parents took out loans.”
Many students benefited from this opportunity and will not have to worry about their debt. Students who once had a bill are able to return and are eligible for enrollment after their debts were cleared.
However, students of all classifications who paid in advance hoping to have a chance at early enrollment will not be receiving the HEERF funds or a refund.
Davian Wilson, a junior corrections and criminal justice major, did not receive the same financial relief as many other students. He paid his bill in advance hoping to receive a chance at early enrollment and dormitory options.
“I worked really hard this summer to provide an education for myself for Langston to take my money knowing they would clear everyone’s bills…. it’s just unfair to the people who already paid,” said Wilson.
Langston University’s graduating seniors were given a strict deadline of March 1st at the beginning of the year to pay their bills in order to take part in commencement. They also were not able to participate in the grant relief given to students on March 23rd.
After receiving this email students who weren’t able to participate in graduation because of financial setbacks are now eligible to walk in commencement. The previous March 1st deadline no longer applies to graduating seniors, as the Office of the Registrar is accepting late applications for graduation due to the timing of the HEERF award, but the students who already paid off their bills to graduate received no refund.
Wilson expressed frustration that he and others like him who paid off their bills don’t get the benefit of the debt relief. “We are not Langston’s top priority…as long as the money is coming in they are happy.”
A Gazette survey of 100 on-campus students shows that not every student was able to receive the HEERF funds this semester and relied instead on family contributions or personal funds. 68% of students polled were able to receive assistance from the HEERF funds, while 32% were not eligible.
Ma’Kalynn Richardson
Staff Writer
Ma’kaylnn Richardson is a senior corrections and criminal justice major
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
