How Financial Aid is Awarded

Financial Aid is awarded based on Federal and State eligibility regulations and available award funds. The College and the OCCC Foundation also awards Scholarships and Scholarship Tuition Waivers, based on financial need and or merit. Most award programs require students to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) annually to establish an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Initial award packaging for student financial aid is based on full-time enrollment costs and is adjusted when final enrollment statuses determined for each semester at the close of the add/drop period.

FSEOG and need-based tuition waivers are awarded to applicants who have the lowest EFC.

Federal Work Study funds are awarded based on unmet need. Students are encouraged to fund part of their education through work earnings to avoid excessive loan debt.

Subsidized loans are awarded up to the eligible annual, aggregate loan limits, based on Cost of Attendance, EFC, and dependency status.

Unsubsidized loans are awarded based on unmet costs within the annual, aggregate limits.

The Financial Aid Office monitors students' cumulative student loan debt. Excessive loan debt may result in reduced or no loans. Cumulative loan debt includes debt incurred at all schools. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The amount a student borrows along with any other estimated or actual financial awards may not exceed Cost of Attendance.

Award packages are adjusted throughout the year to prevent over awards of federal funds.

Award notifications are emailed to students.