Student Rights and Responsibilities for Financial Aid

Students who are completing a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) have certain rights and responsibilities. If you receive Federal Student Aid, you also have certain rights and responsibilities.

Your Responsibilities

• Submit an accurate FASFA every year.
• Login to your MyOCCC Portal to review your financial aid status.
• Regularly check your student email for important notifications.
• Submit all requested documents to the Financial Aid Office.
• Report any financial aid you receive from other sources.
• Enroll in courses required for your degree plan.
• Attend all of your classes.
• Officially withdraw from courses rather than stop attending.
• Maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Repay any federal funds received in excess of your eligibility.
• Do not default on a Federal Student loan.
• Pursue an eligible OCCC degree or certificate program.
• Abide by College policies of drug and alcohol use.
• Abide by College policies of unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material and peer-to-peer file sharing.

Your Right to Know

• Requirements to complete the Verification process.
• Cost of Attending OCCC.
• About the awards you have been offered and how to access your award offer.
• How the Financial Aid Office disburses funds by specific program requirements.
• The schedule of disbursement for Federal Student Aid.
• How to cancel your student loan and return your loan funds returned to the Direct Loan Program
• Information about eligibility for Federal Student Aid to participate in a Study Abroad Program.
• How to accept and apply for Federal Work Study student employment.
• How and when you will be paid Federal Work Study.
• Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria and your right to appeal fora review of your circumstances if you do not meet criteria.
• How to officially withdraw from your courses.
• Requirements of the financial aid office to calculate a return of Federal Student Aid funds if you fail to begin attendance in a course or courses, totally withdraw from all your courses, or fail to successfully complete your courses in a semester.
• You may request the Financial Aid Office to review changes in your family circumstances impacting your ability to pay for college.
• You may request the Financial Aid Office review your dependency status.
• General information about the College, academic programs, your privacy rights, graduation rates, etc.
• A Consortium Agreement allows you to take courses that apply to your OCCC degree at another college and receive financial aid for the approved courses.