Student Loan Programs
Student Loan Debt
Student Borrowers should monitor their student loan debt. Excessive debt may impact a student's credit score and the ability to repay the debt. Thirty-two percent (32%) of OCCC's 2020-21 graduates borrowed an average of $11,880 to complete their degrees. Most of OCCC's graduates (68%) completed their degrees with no loan debt. Students can review their federal student loan history at: StudentAid.gov. Login using your FSA ID and select MyAid.
A Cohort Default Rate (CDR) is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment and within three years default on Federal Direct Student Loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY). OCCC's 2022 report for the FY 2019 CDR is 3.6 compared to the National average CDR of 2.3.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Federal Direct Stafford Loans are low interest educational loans available to college students who are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours required for their OCCC degree, are pursuing an eligible degree, are making Satisfactory Academic Progress, and meet all other Federal Student Aid eligibility requirements. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education who provides Loan Servicers to manage the loan programs. There are two types of Federal Direct Stafford loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Current interest rates are available at: Interest Rates
Loan Amounts are limited by annual and lifetime amounts set by federal law, based on the student's grade level. Read more at: Loan Information.
Student Eligibility Requirements to Receive Federal Student Loans: For each semester enrolled in at least 6-credit hours required for OCCC degree; seeking an OCCC degree; meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress; must have remaining annual and lifetime loan eligibility.
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans are a need based student loan. OCCC Financial Aid Office determines financial need by taking the Cost of Attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution. The U.S. government pays the interest (or subsidizes) the interest on the loan while you are enrolled at least half time and during periods of deferment.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not based on financial need. Interest accrues from the date the loan is disbursed. You may either make or defer interest payments while you are in school. If you defer interest payments, the accumulated interest will be capitalized, or added, to the principal of the loan when you enter repayment.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
Direct Parent PLUS Loans are credit-based unsubsidized loans available to the parents of dependent students. PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance.  Interest accrues from the date the loan is disbursed. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education.
Private Student Loans
Private Student Loans are credit-based loans offered by banks or lending institutions with terms and conditions that vary with each lender. Federal student loans may be more favorable. Private Loans should only be considered after all grants, scholarships and federal student loans have been exhausted. Oklahoma City Community College does not participate in preferred lenders lists and advises students to first consult with their financial institution. Visit: Private Loans for OCCC Students
