Golden Grizzlies Graduate Program

Have you stopped attending Oakland University due to financial challenges? Or demanding work and family responsibilities? Sometimes life has a way of altering our intended course. But no matter how long it’s been, there is help to find your way back.

Through our Golden Grizzlies Graduate program, and with our partnership with the Detroit Drives Degrees initiative, we are committed to helping students with some college coursework return to OU to complete their degrees. Simply complete our inquiry form to get started.

Inquiry Form

After you complete the form, you will be contacted by a member of the Undergraduate Admissions team who will evaluate your information and assist with getting you set up for success. 

Questions? Please contact us at any time at [email protected].  

One component of returning or continuing at OU involves the ability to pay for courses. Our Golden Grizzlies Graduate program includes three new micro-grants designed to alleviate the stress of minor financial obligations:

• OU Reconnector Grant: available to students with a past due university bill of $1,500 or less who are active (eligible to register other than holds), in good academic standing, and have had at least a one-year gap in attendance. Grant covers up to $500 per semester up to a maximum of three semesters (either toward previous balance, if applicable, or toward the next bill) after successful completion of the semester (minimum one OU course with a 2.0 semester GPA).
  
  
• OU Comebacker Grant: available to students with no prior balance who are active (eligible to register other than holds), in good academic standing, and have had at least a one-year gap in attendance. Grant covers up to $500 per semester up to a maximum of three semesters (either toward previous balance, if applicable, or toward the next bill) after successful completion of the semester (minimum one OU course with a 2.0 semester GPA).
  
  
• OU Completion Grant: available to current OU students who are at risk of leaving the university. Students must be active (eligible to register other than holds), in good academic standing, and at junior or senior level. Grant* covers up to $500 per semester, for up to a maximum of three semesters (either toward previous balance, if applicable, or toward the current balance; students must earn a 2.0 semester GPA to continue receiving the grant). Students must have demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA, and must have exhausted their federal and institutional financial need eligibility.

Students will receive up to $500 per semester, for up to a maximum of three semesters ($1,500 total). Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

*Grants are applicable toward required classes needed for graduation, or for additional expenses such as on-campus housing or required textbooks.

As a participant in the Golden Grizzlies Graduate program, you'll have a dedicated team of individuals from Undergraduate Admissions who will work with you until graduation. That means you’ll have the benefit of a success team who will advocate on your behalf to ensure you have the resources you need every step of the way.

OU credit evaluator staff will evaluate all previously earned credit as well as any other degree pathways that might expedite graduation. They will connect you with your academic adviser who will design a customized degree pathway that incorporates as many innovative and low-cost degree completion strategies as possible (including CLEP exams, which are evaluated by OU for college level credit, and courses taken at the community college or other universities). You’ll also meet with a financial aid adviser who will assist with any federal financial aid, difficulties completing financial aid applications, and previous student loan default.

The project team will serve as an advocate for you — connecting you with more OU staff and faculty who will coach you through to graduation.

Questions? Please contact us at any time at [email protected]. 

We realize that family obligations and cost aren’t the only barriers to finishing your degree. There may be health concerns, transportation issues, childcare obstacles — even just the fear of returning to classes after being absent for some time.

Oakland University is fully equipped to assist with any issues you might encounter while trying to return to school. OU staff will work with you, and may offer counseling, academic advising and social resources — and very often, a supportive ear as you work through fears and concerns. Overcoming these barriers is not easy but we stand with you to ensure your return is a healthy and successful one.

If you’ve stopped attending another university, you are always welcome at OU. As a transfer student, you may be eligible for several merit- and need-based awards.

We work hard to ensure your credits will transfer and apply to your degree. So no matter where you're going, or where you came from, OU is where your perseverance pays off — and you move one step closer to graduation.