Many OCC students are eligible for free tuition this
fall thanks to Michigan’s Community
College Guarantee program and other existing scholarship
opportunities. These funds are not loans, do not need to be repaid after
college, and eligibility is not tied to family income.
The free college funds are available to OCC students who
registered for Fall 2024 classes. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA
form by July 31 and list “Oakland Community College” as the “first
college of choice” on the form. OCC students who pre-paid their Fall
semester tuition and qualify for the free tuition funds will receive a refund
later this fall if they submit a FAFSA.
“A student’s first step to free college money is to fill out
the FAFSA. Many students think that because their family’s income is too high
or their academic history is too dated, too low or too ‘whatever,’ they should
skip filling out the FAFSA and filing for scholarship dollars,” explains
Kimberly Hurns, OCC’s Vice Chancellor for Student Services.
“The truth is most students are eligible for some level of
financial support, and this year the majority of OCC students are eligible for
the many new and existing scholarship funds available through Michigan’s
Community College Guarantee, Michigan Reconnect, Oakland80
and others,” added Hurns.
“This is a great opportunity for OCC students to get their
tuition paid for this fall. The fact that these funds don’t need to be repaid
helps our students reach their college goals without incurring debt,” adds OCC
Chancellor Peter Provenzano. “We know billions of dollars in student aid are
left on the table each year, and we want to ensure our students are getting as
much free money as possible so they can focus their work on earning their
college degree or certificate.”
To qualify for the many new and existing scholarships
available at OCC, students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form before
July 31 to qualify for the best opportunities. According to the FAFSA website,
the application form is can be completed in under an hour and is easier with a
new application process.
Free help is available on OCC’s Financial Aid
page to get started.
About OCC
Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is
Michigan’s largest multi-campus community college and No. 1 transfer
institution in the state. The College provides academic, career training and
enriching experiences, designed to empower students to reach their potential
and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the
College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees governs OCC.
Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as
volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering
our students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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