EIU Media Relations

EIU offers assistance to students displaced by Hurricanes Helene, Milton

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University is extending assistance to students whose lives have been disrupted and their college educations unexpectedly placed on hold by Hurricane Helene, as well as students who may also be unpredictably impacted by Hurricane Milton.

EIU Vice President for Enrollment Management Josh Norman shared that students whose education has been disrupted by Helene’s or Milton’s aftermath will be extended in-state tuition rates and will have all application and late fees waived by EIU. Eastern has offered similar assistance for students and families impacted by Hurricanes Florence (2018) and Ian (2022).

“We certainly hope anyone affected by Hurricanes Helene or Milton are able to overcome the damage and destruction they already have or will cause, and to the degree possible that things return to normal for every Hurricane victim as quickly as possible,” Norman said. “But we also want to be proactive in offering our services, knowing there are students who may be displaced by Helene’s or Milton’s large geographical footprints. If EIU can help any of those impacted students, we absolutely will.”

Similar to past offers, EIU personnel will work with affected students to develop flexible payment plans and in finding available sources for financial aid and other types of support. Eastern also will offer immediate housing and residential options on campus at reduced costs.

Norman said the University will work with students as expeditiously as possible to help with the admissions and class registration processes, and added that Eastern is prepared to help displaced students with enrollment for both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, or as long as they may need EIU’s help.

Impacted students can contact EIU’s Admissions Office at (877) 581-2348, or email admissions@eiu.edu.