Student Assistance Programs

OWU offers a variety of accessibility programs to assist students with getting to resources that will assist with their success at OWU. Please review the programs and contact a member of the Student Engagement and Success Dean of Students staff with any questions!

• Emergency Funds
• OMSA Success Funds
• Textbook Accessibility Program
• Laptop Accessibility Program
• Parking Accessibility
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Emergency Funds

Ohio Wesleyan offers emergency funds of up to $2,000 to help eligible students with non-school-related expenses that threaten their ability to remain enrolled at the University and to complete their degree.

What They Cover

OWU Emergency Funds are available to assist students with unexpected emergency expenses, such as vehicle repairs, travel and transportation expenses, emergency medical bills not covered by insurance, food and other necessary items.  Emergency funds are not available to pay for school-related expenses such as tuition, room and board and health insurance, travel-away opportunities, or personal technology.  Eligible students can receive a maximum of $2,000.00 over the course of their time as an OWU student.

Who’s Eligible?

To be eligible for OWU Emergency Funds, U.S. students must have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $12,000 or less per year (the Office of Financial Aid is able to help verify eligibility if needed). Needs for international students will be assessed in consultation with the Dean of Students office.

How to Apply

Contact the Office of the Dean of Students. A member of the team will review your situation with you. With their guidance, you’ll complete a short online application found here. 

Receiving Funds

If your application for funding is approved, the University hopes to have the funds ready for use within one to two business days. Typically, you won't receive funds directly; payment will be made to a service provider (such as an auto mechanic) on your behalf, based on cost estimates or other required documentation. 

Grant Source

OWU Emergency Funds are possible as a result of generous funding from WCSA. 

Have Questions?

Verify your FAFSA status or EFC by contacting the Financial Aid Office located on the second floor of Slocum Hall in Room 246, at 740-368-3050, or at financialaid@owu.edu.

Discuss your need with a Dean in the Office of Student Engagement and Success on the second floor of Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, at 740-368-3135, or at emergencygrant@owu.edu.

OMSA Success Fund

Purpose

The OMSA Success Fund provides resources for tuition, books, and/or personal expenses that would otherwise threaten a student's ability to persist at Ohio Wesleyan.

The Fund is meant to only become available to students once other resources have been exhausted. When applying, students will first be referred to other campus resources such as the WCSA Emergency Grant or Financial Aid.

What It Covers & Amount

The funds are available for such things as tuition balances, books or required classroom materials, or urgent medical expenses not covered by your insurance. These funds may not be used for travel-away opportunities, or personal technology. Students are able to receive up to $2000 per academic year.

Examples of Possible Expenses

• Tuition gaps, including fees as appropriate
• Books and/or classroom materials (e.g., on-line codes, lab equipment fees, art materials, etc.)
• Clothing for the winter months
• Medical / Dental expenses that would otherwise hinder persistence
• Public transportation expenses to/from campus during holiday breaks

Examples of Expenses Not Covered

• New laptop or phone
• Legal fees
• Costs of travel-away or OWU Connection activities
• Alcohol, tobacco, or any other controlled substance
• Medical / Dental expenses that are cosmetic

Who's Eligible

The OMSA Success Fund is open to any currently enrolled OWU student who qualifies for a Pell grant, or has qualified for a Pell grant in the last two academic semesters.

To find out if you meet these criteria, contact Financial Aid.

Application Process

OMSA Success Fund Application can be found here.

Students looking for financial support related to the pandemic should apply for CARES Funds here.

Questions?

Contact OMSA with any questions about the Success Fund.

Textbook Accessibility Program

Ohio Wesleyan University's Wesleyan Council for Student Affairs (WCSA) sponsors a textbook reserve program. Through this program, WCSA purchases textbooks that are used in 100 and 200 level courses, and puts them on reserve in the Beeghly Library. Faculty have the choice to opt-out of the program, but the vast majority of faculty participate in this program. Textbooks can be checked out for a period of time, but the textbooks cannot leave the library. Questions about the program can be directed to the University librarians.

**Fall 2020 Information: Due to restrictions and guidance around the lending of textbooks via the library, the library has used WCSA funds to purchase unlimited electronic access to 13 different titles spread between 100, 200, 300, and 400 level courses. Please check with the library to discuss options and to see if the text you need is available as a electronic resource.

There are currently no funds available to assist students with renting their textbooks through the Bookstore. Students should check with the library to see if they have the option of obtaining the book through an electronic resource or not. Also new this year, students are now able to charge their textbooks to their student account. More information about charging textbooks to your student account can be obtained via the Bookstore, and questions around options for paying off your student balance, to include any textbook charges can be directed to the Bursar's Office.

Laptop Accessibility Program

Ohio Wesleyan offers a limited number of laptop computers for eligible students to loan our each semester. The goal of this program is to ensure students have the technological resources they need to succeed at the University.

Who’s Eligible?

Students are eligible to request a loaner laptop if they have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and qualify for the Pell Grant. International students may apply as well. Eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Dean of Students office.

How Long Can I Keep It?

Students are able to reserve laptops for up to one semester, but can submit a new application each semester. Laptops must returned two days before the end of the semester. If a laptop is not returned timely, the student may face a financial charge on their University account for the laptops original value.

For Spring 2021, all laptops must be returned to the Media Center by Monday, May 24, 2021.

What Kind of Technology Is Available?

A majority of the laptops available are PCs, and we have a small number of Macs. All computers come with the Microsoft Office suite and Adober Reader installed.

Sponsors

The Laptop Accessibility Program is coordinated by the Division of Student Engagement & Success (SES), with sponsorship by the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA). Laptops are housed and managed by the Media Center in Beeghly Library.

How To Apply

To request a laptop, please complete the following steps. 

• Complete the online application form. A SES staff member will review your application.

• Within typically three days of applying, you should receive an email from a SES staff member informing whether your application has been approved.

• Follow the instructions in your approval email to schedule a meeting with the SES staff member; we will then help you schedule an appointment with the Media Center to pick-up your laptop.

• Laptops must be returned to the Media Center by Monday, May 24, 2021.  If you are finished with the computer sooner than that, please return it to the Media Center so other students can benefit as soon as possible.

Parking Accessibility

Students interested in receiving a no cost B or C parking permit may submit an application for review. Applicants must demonstrate a financial and proximity need.

Students in need of an accessible parking permit due to physical limitations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Food insecurity affects 38% percent of students at four-year institutions.

With these numbers in mind, the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are pleased to announce that, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has expanded college students’ access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits (formerly called Food Stamps). You can learn more about the program here.