Letter to the Editor: Oakland’s financial aid is unreliable

Recently, Oakland University awarded me $2,000 for a Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

This grant is awarded to those with low Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The money was given to me through direct deposit into my bank account, just as all financial aid is awarded to me. After about a month, when I went to register for next semester, I found that there was a $2,000 hold on my account. It turns out Oakland decided to place a hold on my account without informing me that they made a mistake.  

The FSEOG is a grant, like most, that does not require repayment, however, since they made an “error” they are requesting I repay them the money before I can register for the next semester. Currently a hold sits on my account preventing me from accessing class schedules, transcripts, etc.

When confronted about the issue, financial services has responded with these answers: 

“Your family’s EFC is higher than others.” Mine is absolute zero, or according to FAFSA, 0000. 

“Other students had priority, they filed FAFSA before you.” If this is the case, why was I even considered at all? It specifically states in my correspondence regarding the grant that the Financial Services Department at Oakland University was going to “review my status” before awarding me the money.  I guess I don’t really understand how all of the sudden I’m not “eligible” even though they’ve already given me 2,000 “tangible dollars.” 

My last response from OU was that the school didn’t receive as much funding as they initially thought they would. Well, the problem with this is that I was not the one that screwed up. I was handed $2,000 and told that I was eligible and that I had received additional funding. I was told this money belonged to me. So I started spending my money.

According to Oakland’s website, “The university, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine the number and amounts of awards each semester and/or academic year, rescind an award if the student no longer meets the eligibility requirements, and/or terminate the entire award.”

Now this last part is important because it states that they can rescind an award if the student no longer meets the eligibility requirements, and/or terminate the entire award, however, I have not violated any stipulations. Oakland is giving out money they don’t have and now they want it back.  Am I alone in this?