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The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh released $1.2 million to more than 800 students this month to help increase affordability as part of a realized cost savings.

Eight hundred and five UW Oshkosh students were selected as recipients of a $1,500 grant, which will be applied to their tuition account by the University. Each student will receive $750 per semester in the upcoming academic year to reduce the cost of attendance.

With a warmer winter than expected and a smaller workforce than previous years, the campus realized cost savings in both utilities and fringe benefits, which allowed for the release of the funds.

“This is one-time money we didn’t anticipate having as the fiscal year began in July,” Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said. “Affordability is a top priority for us and with so many struggling to pay for school, allocating this money to students made the most sense.”

The $1,500 will automatically be provided to students who meet specific criteria without the need to apply. The funds will be applied to their accounts and each student will be notified of the reduction in their bill.

“We selected students who are Wisconsin residents, enrolled full time, and are in good standing academically,” Financial Aid Director Kim Donat said. “But we also selected students who don’t qualify for additional grants and funding.”

Donat went on to explain that a large number of students do not qualify for benefits, such as the Pell Grant, because their family income are resources are too high.

“The students who are typically referred to as the middle class don’t receive additional federal or state help with school yet their families can’t afford to help them,” Donat said. “We wanted to help those students who generally have to take out the maximum amount of loans to pay for school and still have a difficult time covering costs.”

UW Oshkosh is currently in the process of strategic enrollment management planning led by Brandon Miller, the interim vice chancellor for student affairs.

“This initiative is only the beginning,” Miller said. “Scholarships are going to be a much larger focus for our campus as we continue to look at ways to keep costs down for our students.”