Michigan’s Oakland University mistakenly tells 5,500 students they won a scholarship
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – Oakland University, in Rochester Hills, Michigan, sent emails to 5,500 admitted students telling them they had won one of the university’s highest awards, valued at $48,000. Unfortunately, that email was sent due to “human error,” CNN reported.
“Unfortunately the students who received the message do not meet the eligibility requirements for this award, but have qualified for varying levels of OU scholarship awards,” Brian Bierley, Director of Media Relations at Oakland University, told CNN. “While the emails were sent in error, OU notifies students of scholarship awards through official scholarship award letters sent to students via United States mail.”
The emails were sent with a subject line reading, “Congratulations!” and inside read, “You worked hard and it paid off!” The New York Times reported.
The university sent a follow-up email to the 5,500 impacted students telling them that there had been a mistake, The New York Times reported. In its apology email, the school said, “We know the college application process is an extremely stressful time and we are sorry for the added confusion and disappointment this email has caused.”
“When they sent that email, I was like ‘Wow, this is my escape, this is everything I’ve ever wanted,” Charmaine Brown, one of the students who received an email, told CNN.
Last week, we reported when another Michigan school, Central Michigan University, announced it would offer full scholarships to students impacted after a similar problem. Central Michigan University sent emails to 58 students telling them they had won a prestigious award, only to later contact the students to tell them there had been a mistake.
A spokesperson from Oakland University told The New York Times that the school encouraged students to submit updated transcripts and any new test scores ahead of the fall semester to see if they qualify for additional scholarships.
