Langston University Clears Over $4.5M in Student Debt

• This is the second time the university has cleared millions of dollars of debt — the first time was in 2021.
• The university is using the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to waive the debt.
• There is no expectation to enroll in a future semester due to the debt relief.
• Forgiveness only applies to unpaid balances. The university will not refund paid balances.

Langston University (LU), a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Oklahoma, is once again wiping out millions of dollars of debt for students.

LU is clearing over $4.5 million in student debt for students enrolled in the summer 2022, fall 2022, and spring 2023 semesters through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Any former summer and fall 2022 students with debt will have all holds due to that balance released and be able to receive an official transcript.

LU said there's no expectation or requirement to enroll in a future semester because of the balance forgiveness.

The university has forgiven almost $10 million in debt since August 2021, when it wiped out over $4.6 million through the HEERF.

Due to the timing of the debt forgiveness announcement, the university will also consider late applications for graduation.

President Kent J. Smith Jr. clarified that forgiveness only applies to unpaid balances. The university will not refund balances that students have already paid.

"Throughout the pandemic, our institution has sought ways to lessen the burden and remove barriers to degree completion for our students," Smith said in the announcement. "We are proud of the positive impact this initiative will have on our students, graduates, and their families for years to come."