A sincere thank you to each and every donor who gave to our COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Like everyone, our students are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Below are testimonies from students who will receive funding through this emergency fund. We have students who are single mothers, international students, students who have lost their job and students who have had to find a new place to live.

So far, we have over $85,000 in the fund from more than 250 generous donors and our matching donors. The UCO Foundation matched $30,000, University of Central Oklahoma Student Association matched $10,000 and the UCO President’s Office matched $10,000. We have awarded 267 of our students totaling $75,875. Today, we have more than 650 students who have submitted applications that we are continuing to review.

We want you to know your gift is making a difference. Please continue to share this project on your social media platforms and thank you again for your donation.

We provided relief to single mothers in desperate need…

“I am a single mother who recently lost her job of three years due to COVID-19. These funds would allow me to continue pursuing my dream education by allowing me to continue having internet at home for online learning for myself and my first grader. It would also provide a bit of relief for bills, allow me to figure out how to keep a roof over our heads, and allow me a bit of financial help while trying to find a new job. Right now, I am unsure how I am going to balance what life has become. Being able to have a bit of relief for my son and me would be a huge blessing.”

We provided relief to international students with nowhere to go…

“Due to this devastating situation, my home country of Nepal is in lockdown. Banks are closed and my parent’s income source is highly affected; they cannot even work their regular hours because of the lockdown. This fund would help me in my rent because the landlord is not ready to provide any kind of relief at this time and I am running out of my money.”

We provided relief to student workers who lost their jobs on campus…

“With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, I have lost both of my jobs on campus and my roommate has decided to move home leaving me with more bills. This money would go toward housing so I won't have to lose my apartment. Anything and everything is appreciated. I am currently looking for other jobs and means of making money, but with everything going on it's a lot harder than I expected it to be.”

We provided relief to students who could no longer live on campus…

“When I can't live on campus, I have to stay with my sister who has five kids of her own and my disabled mother living with her. It would benefit me greatly to be able to help my sister with some of the bills and buy food. Due to the virus, my sister and her husband can't work. I work in a nursing home so I'm an essential worker but my check alone can't pay their bills since I still have to have some days off to go to school.”

We provided relief to students who suddenly found themselves with no income…

“Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I have lost my job of more than two years. Being in the food service industry I am unable to go back to that job until this whole pandemic is over. I now have no income for food, rent, car payment, utilities and other basic needs. This money would be extremely helpful for being able to pay my upcoming rent and bills. This money would also be used for grocery shopping and getting supplies such as toilet paper and shampoo. Lastly, this money would be used for getting supplies for school. Being able to receive this scholarship would take a load of stress off my shoulders.”

Thanks to you and donors like you, we have already raised more than $20,000 for the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. We are so humbled by the generosity of our Central community. The UCO Foundation has matched $20,000 and we are excited to announce that the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association (UCOSA) has been inspired to do a dollar-for-dollar match gift for the next $10,000!

UCOSA is the student government association for UCO and serves the students by addressing student concerns, supporting over 150 student organizations and enhancing the overall student experience both on and off campus.

Please continue to share this project on your social media pages and thank you again for your gift to help our students.

Anne Holzberlein

President, UCO Foundation

Vice President, UCO Office for Advancement