Awards Available at OCC

Most awards at OCC are based on financial need, but scholarships are available based on academic achievement and other criteria.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal Eligibility Requirements
The Federal government is the primary source of financial aid for college students.  Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for federal aid:

  • Demonstrate financial need (for most programs)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number.  Federal regulations and college policy limit financial assistance available to non-U.S. citizens
  • Be registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if you are male between the ages of 18 and 25
  • Be enrolled at least half-time (for most programs)
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • Have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate or a state-recognized equivalent, a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law; or enrolling in an eligible career pathways program
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree program
  • Use aid only for educational purposes
  • Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on any federal educational loans

Find more information about eligibility requirements at Federal Student Aid 

Check for Award

Are you looking for your financial aid award? You should receive an e-mail directing you to this site once your award is completed.

Check the web periodically using the following steps:

STEP 1  Click on My OCC
STEP 2 Select Log In, type in your username and password, then hit submit.
STEP 3  Click on Financial Aid
STEP 4 Select the year you want to view.
STEP 5 Click on Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package

Criteria For Awarding Aid

Student Financial Resources and Scholarships (SFRS) awards need-based grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study equitably among all eligible applicants who apply for financial aid.  Awards are based on financial need, federal award maximums, and available funding.

Your cost of attendance at Oakland Community College for one academic year minus your expected family contribution (EFC) and other financial resources equal your demonstrated need (eligibility) for need-based financial aid.

  • Oakland Community College awards financial aid funds in the following order to eligible students:
    • Federal and state need-based grants and scholarships
    • Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
    • Oakland Community College Trustee Award, GEAR-UP, Fostering Futures, MI Competitive Grant, Scholarships, Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) - last dollar
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized (Stafford) loans
  • Federal Work-Study funds awarded to students who were previously awarded FWS or request FWS from the campus Financial Aid office.

Students who need additional funds to cover expenses and those who are not eligible for need-based aid may consider supplemental loans such as the Federal Direct PLUS Loan and/or private education loans.  These require separate applications.

Note:  The sources of all aid cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance.

Federal Programs

PROGRAM NAME DEFINITION NEED BASED? YEAR MAXIMUM RE-PAY
Federal Pell Grant (FPELL) Gift assistance for students with exceptional financial need Yes Up to $6895 No
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Gift assistance for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients. Yes $1200 No
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (Government pays accruing interest while you are in school).  Fixed rate 3.73% Loans made to students who demonstrate financial need. Yes Up to $3500
1st year

$4500 
2nd year		 Yes
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Student pays accruing interest while you are in school).  Fixed rate 5.28%. Loans made to students regardless of financial need. No Up to $10,500

 Yes
Federal PLUS Loans (For parents of dependent students). Fixed rate 6.28% A loan available to parents to pay the educational expenses of their child. No Cost of Attendance Yes
Federal Work-Study (FWS) A work program provided to help students meet their college expenses. Yes up to $6000 No

State Programs (Michigan Residents Only)

PROGRAM NAME DEFINITION NEED BASED?  YEAR MAXIMUM RE-PAY
Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) A grant offered by the state to students with need and a composite score of 23 or above on the ACT test. Yes $1,500 No
Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) For students whose families have received Medicaid from the Family Independence Agency (FIA). Must apply before graduation from high school or before receiving GED Yes Up to 30 Credits of In-District Tuition and Required Fees No
Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP)
For more information call 1-877-861-6377		 This program, offered through the Michigan Department of Treasury, provides families a flexible way to save for their children's education, at any qualified institution, by offering a choice of investment options, tax advantages, and low start-up costs No Max varies No
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver  (MITW) - For more information call 517-241-7748 The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver program, authorized by the State of Michigan, waives the tuition costs for eligible Native Americans in the state's public colleges and universities. No Max Varies No
         

Institutional Programs (In-District Residents Only)

PROGRAM NAME DEFINITION NEED BASED?  YEAR MAXIMUM RE-PAY
Trustee Award (TA) Grant funds provided by the OCC Board of Trustees to in-district students without an associate degree Yes $1200 No

Aid for Study Abroad

Students enrolled in a program of study abroad approved for credit by Oakland Community College (home school) may be considered enrollment at Oakland Community College (home school) for the purposes of applying for federal student financial aid.