Cowboy Aid emergency funds provide financial support to students experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could impact their ability to remain enrolled in school. Financial assistance is available for immediate and current emergency situations. Cowboy Aid funding is for unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses and is designed to offset short-term financial needs.  These funds are not intended to replace or supplement financial aid or scholarship. All situations are unique and evaluated carefully and confidentially.

 

Enrolled students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources (credit cards, payment plans, additional student aid, assistance from family/friends, and other personal resources). This funding is not intended to reimburse for expenses that have already been paid or to replace or supplement existing financial aid. Cowboy Aid funds are granted, they do not have to be repaid.

 

Those students who have applied to financial aid and/or scholarships, please note that Federal loan funding disburses the first day of the semester and all other aid will disburse after the deadline to drop a class with a 100% refund. Please refer to Important Dates for disbursement dates as they can vary.

 

Eligibility Requirements

• Applications must have an immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incidents.

• The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled students in good standing.

• All other resources, including emergency loans through Scholarships and Financial Aid, must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.

• Applicants must complete all questions in full and submit supporting documentation.

• Have not previously received Cowboy Aid Funds. 

 

Application Process

 

Students who need emergency financial assistance may submit an application and supporting documentation. If approved, funds are available up to $500. Applicants may be required to meet with a staff member to discuss their application.

 

Applying does not guarantee funding will be approved. A review of applications is expected to take a minimum processing time of two business days.

 

If you are currently receiving financial aid, please be aware that receiving funding from the Cowboy aid fund may affect your future aid packages and funds received will be taxed as income. 

 

Also, please note that the application will have three different disbursement options. If you select Direct Deposit, please make sure you are signed up for Direct Deposit or follow the instructions below to sign up for it. If you select Check, a check will be mailed to you, which could take up to two weeks to receive the funds. If you select Apply to Balance, the funds will be credited to directly to your Business Services’ account balance.

 

Possible Expenses Covered  (This list is not exhaustive)

• Safety needs (i.e. changing a lock, short-term emergency shelter, unforeseen car repair such as a flat tire)

• Replacement of essential personal belongings or temporary housing needs, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster

• Essential needs such as food

• Medication/prescription expenses related to emergency medical or mental health care

• Travel costs related to a death or illness in the immediate family

Expenses Not Covered  (This list is not exhaustive)

• Tuition and student fees

• Health insurance

• Study abroad costs

• Non-essential expenses (i.e. cable, internet, phone), household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft

• Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (i.e. rent, monthly utilities)

• Parking tickets

• Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses

• Internships or conferences

• Legal counsel or fees

• Other anticipated expenses

Direct Deposit

Cowboy Aid funding is dispersed through Business Services. Signing up for direct deposit is quick and easy. To add/manage banking information and receive deposits electronically, do the following:

 

1. Log into myOKSTATE

2. Under Quick Links, click on OSU-OKC Business Services Acct

3. Click on “Refunds” on the top menu bar

4. Under “Current Refund Method”, click on “Set Up Account”

5. A dialogue box will appear: click on an “Existing Account” or “Set up a New Account” and the “Continue” button

   • If you click on an “Existing Account”, your refund account will be assigned to the existing account
   • If you click on “Set Up Account”, enter the required information and click “Continue” 

6. Agree to the terms and click “Continue”

Emergency Scholarship Fund Request