COVID-19-related Financial Aid Available to Students
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) has provided pandemic-related funding for student financial aid grants that can be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance, or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus (including tuition, food, housing, health care, mental health care, or childcare). At the University of Mississippi, grant amounts typically will not exceed $3,000 per person. Eligibility is not guaranteed, but has been expanded since last semester’s HEERF II grant. More people will qualify this time, including international students.
To apply for financial aid assistance related to COVID-19, UM students should complete the application form. For more information and FAQs, visit this page. For additional questions, please email umcares@olemiss.edu.
MSDH Offering FREE COVID-19 Testing in Lafayette County
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is now offering FREE COVID-19 testing in Lafayette County. Testing will be offered Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center (102 Ed Perry Blvd.).
Whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, if you are a student, teacher, or staff member of a K-12 school, college or university, you can be tested for COVID-19 at an MSDH site. You must make an appointment, which can be scheduled at covidschedule.umc.edu. New appointment slots will become available each week.
Those wishing to reach the Conference Center for Testing via the OUT Bus System can board either the Red North or the Blue West (most direct) routes at the Student Union transportation hub and ride to the transfer point at the downtown garage near the square. Transfer to the Grey route at the garage to reach the Conference Center. The return route is the same but in reverse.
Additionally, testing is available at the University Health Center and local clinics in town.
Upcoming Pfizer Vaccine Clinics
Upcoming vaccine clinics administering the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine will be held at Johnson Commons. All clinics will offer the first or second Pfizer dose.
- Wednesday, Sep. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sep. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1-3 p.m.
No appointment is needed for the Pfizer vaccine clinics. Everyone vaccinated will get Ole Miss swag to choose from including t-shirts, Silipint cups, Lane Kiffin bobbleheads, trucker hats and knit caps. Vaccines are available for everyone aged 12 and up. Second doses will be scheduled while you receive the first dose. Please print the two medical paperwork forms linked below to bring with you to your on-campus vaccination. (Blank paperwork will also be available.)
You may also visit the University Health Center Pharmacy any weekday between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to receive a Pfizer vaccine. No appointment needed.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Available on Campus
The university is following CDC /MSDH guidelines to provide an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Moderately to severely immunocompromised includes people who are or have been:
- Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day for > 14 days) or other drugs that may suppress your immune response [e.g., alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide); antimetabolites (methotrexate); transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, everolimus); TNF-blockers (etanercept)]
- Other condition(s) which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions
Fall Convocation 2021 Rescheduled for Sept. 21
The University of Mississippi Fall Convocation has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Grove. Fall Convocation commemorates the beginning of the college journey each year at Ole Miss. We will add a new wrinkle by moving Fall Convocation to the Grove, the same venue where our incoming students will participate in Commencement at the end of their college experience. More information about this year’s Fall Convocation event and speaker is at this link: https://news.olemiss.edu/author-aimee-nezhukumatahil-set-to-deliver-fall-convocation-keynote/
Featured FAQ: Do students, faculty and staff have to report a positive COVID-19 test to the university?
All students must report positive tests to Student Health and employees must report positive tests to Employee Health, regardless of where the test was performed. Positive COVID-19 tests should be reported using one of these anonymous reporting methods:
- Call University Health Services: Students should call 662-915-7274; employees should call 662-915-6550.
- Fill out the UHS Self Report form, scan or take a picture of your results and upload both the form and your results to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will view your documentation.
- Download the Everbridge App and select the Report Positive COVID-19 button. Then scan or take a picture of your results and upload it to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will be able to view your documentation.
The anonymity and confidentiality of persons with COVID-19 will be protected during this process. University Health Services will collaborate with MSDH for contact tracing and to determine additional precautions that may be warranted.
News Stories and Resources
- MSDH Health Alert: Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies for COVID-19
- MSDH Health Alert: Mandatory Hospital Participation in Mississippi COVID-19 System of Care Plan
- UMMC News Release: Hours extended for monoclonal antibodies treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19
- UMMC News Release: Telehealth connects families, ICU patients in Samaritan’s Purse field hospital
MSDH Data
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi as of Sept. 7:
- 1,934 new cases, 102 new deaths and 132 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report as of Sept. 7:
- 2,615,422 total doses administered; 1,444,316 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,203,290 people fully vaccinated.
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