Grants

Federal Pell Grant—Federal Pell Grants provide funding to students who meet certain eligibility criteria, according to federal guidelines.  The amount awarded to students is determined by their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment.  Pell Grants are prorated based on a student’s enrollment level status.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)—FSEOG is a grant for students with exceptional financial need. At OCCC, this grant is first awarded to students who have started classes at OCCC who have O EFC until funds are exhausted.

Oregon Opportunity Grant—The Oregon Opportunity Grant is awarded to eligible Oregon residents enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more).  Award are adjusted with based on a student’s enrollment level status.

Oregon Promise Grant—Oregon Promise Grants are available to recent high school graduates.  For more information about eligibility and application requirements, visit the Office of Student Access and Completion website at oregonstudentaid.gov.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)— FWS is a federal financial aid work program that provides students the opportunity to work a part-time job on or off campus and earn a paycheck to decrease student loan debt. In order to be eligible, students must apply for financial aid, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled at least half time.

Students not eligible for grants, FWS, or scholarships or requiring additional funds to meet educational expenses, may be eligible for student loans.  Student loans are available to students and families to borrow money for assistance with funding educational needs.

Loans

Federal Direct Loan Program—The Federal Direct Loan is a funding source for students enrolled at least half time (6 credits or more) and is made available to students through the U.S. Department of Education.  Direct Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized.  A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need.  If a student qualifies for a subsidized loan the Federal government pays interest on the loan while the student continues to be enrolled at least half-time up to Federal Subsidized Usage Limit Amount.  An unsubsidized loan is an additional resource, not awarded on the basis of need.  Once disbursed, students receiving an unsubsidized loan are responsible for the accruing interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.  Borrowers may choose to pay the interest or allow it to accumulate.  If allowed to accrue, the interest will be capitalized—added to the principal amount—and will increase the amount to be repaid.

Nursing Loan—The Nursing loan is funded through the Department of Health and Human Services.  It is available on a funds available basis.  If you have questions about the Nursing Loan, contact OCCC’s Financial Aid Director.

Students loan amounts are limited annually and cumulatively by Federal regulations.  Students are prohibited from borrowing more than their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid and scholarships received.

Scholarships

OCCC and the OCCC Foundation Scholarships—The OCCC and the OCCC Foundation award thousands of dollars in scholarships each year to students. Students must apply in the late winter/early spring for scholarships for the following fall term. More information can be found at https://oregoncoast.edu/scholarships/.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Apply at studentaid.gov

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s help on how to fill out the FAFSA.

The first step for students to apply for financial aid is the FAFSA. Undocumented students who do not qualify for FAFSA, apply for financial aid with the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) at www.oregonstudentaid.gov To determine if you are eligible for FAFSA, review the eligibility requirements. It is recommended that DACA students submit both the FAFSA and the ORSAA.

OCCC FAFSA school code: 042837

All current and prospective OCCC students completing their FAFSA should use OCCC’s code, 042837.

For more information, call 541-867-8501 or email finaid@oregoncoast.edu.

Financial Aid Checklist

Click here to view the 2023-24 Award Year Financial Aid Checklist

The best time to apply is as soon as possible after October 1st of each year for the following academic year.

Financial Aid Portal

Students utilizing financial aid to help pay for their expenses must go through OCCC’s financial aid portal to complete all the requirements to receive a financial aid award/offer letter.  This is a unique portal separate from Canvas and My.OregonCoast, although it is accessible through a student’s My.OregonCoast account by navigating to My Financial Aid within that portal.

Financial Aid Portal Access

When a student is admitted into a financial aid eligible program, they receive an email with the direct link to the portal and instructions for creating their account. Once a student has created an account, there are four milestones to complete a financial aid file for each award year. The four pages are Apply for Financial Aid, ISIR Status, Complete Required Docs, and Package Status. On the Apply for Financial Aid page, students are provided information about filing a FAFSA and are directed to do so before continuing. The ISIR Status page is where students elect to take out student loans or not, estimate their enrollment levels for the year, and can report any outside scholarships they are receiving. The Complete Required Docs page is where students will submit any verification requirements or complete any additional forms needed to be able to disburse their financial aid. On the Package Status page, students will be able to check on the status of their file. The page will show that their file is either in queue to be reviewed, has been accepted, or has been denied. If accepted, the student can also receive their award letter from the Package Status page. If denied, the page will briefly explain to the student what needs to be resolved so the file can be moved to an approved status.

Cost of Attendance/How Financial Aid Offer Amounts are Determined

Visit this page to review information about OCCC’s Cost of Attendance and how financial aid offer amounts are determined.

Requesting Changes to your Award

Financial aid awards are based on a particular year’s taxes and the applicant’s FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education understands that students may have changes in their financial or family situations between the time of filing their taxes and the start of the academic year. For this reason, students with unique situations may request a “professional Judgment” that upon approval, could result in additional financial aid eligibility. Types of circumstances that warrant review are divided into two categories, special circumstances, and unusual circumstances. See examples below.

Special Circumstances

Financial Situations leading to changes to data elements in the cost of attendance or EFC calculation.

• Recent unemployment
• Being homeless
• Dislocated worker
• Changes to family income, assets, etc.

Unusual Circumstances

Conditions leading to changes in dependency status from dependent to independent.

• Human trafficking
• Refugee or asylee status
• Parental abandonment, incarceration, etc.
• Unable to contact parents
• Contact with parents poses risk

Unusual Circumstances do not include:

• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes

To request a change in your award due to special and/or unusual circumstances, reach out to the financial aid office as soon as possible. We will guide you on what steps to take and what documentation will be required.

Financial Aid Verification Process

Verification is a part of the financial aid process where OCCC is required to confirm the accuracy of the information entered on your FAFSA. If your FAFSA is selected for Verification, you may need to submit documents relating to your federal tax information, legal identity, high school completion status, or other topics. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will tell you if you’ve been selected for verification. As part of the verification process OCCC will request documents from you.

Notification about the documents you are required to provide and submit will be in OCCC’s Financial Aid Portal.  Follow the steps in the portal to submit your documents. Submit all documents as soon as possible or your financial aid offer and the disbursement of your financial aid will be delayed. After you have submitted all documents, the Financial Aid Office will alert you to any needed changes to your FAFSA or any additional documents are needed.  If there are additional documents needed, you will receive an email alerting you to this.   If there are no changes to be made, you will receive a confirmation email when your file was approved. Once your file has been approved, your financial aid dwill be ready to disburse.

Financial Aid Disbursements

Financial aid funds pay the balance on your student account first.  Any remaining funds result in a credit balance refund which will appear as a stipend on your ledger card viewable in the My Finances area of the My.OregonCoast portal.  Stipends are issued to students via their BankMobile refund preference.  Stipends are issued beginning week 3 of each term.  Questions about BankMobile should be emailed to Student Accounts or may be asked by phone, 541-867-8551.

Book Advances/Book Vouchers

Oregon Coast Community College provides the opportunity for students receiving financial aid to charge their books are Your College Store.   All items purchased with a book voucher will be charged directly to the student’s account and will be deducted from any financial aid refund.  Students are responsible for any charges due to changes in their financial aid awards, changes in enrollment,  or charges that exceeds their reimbursement.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a book voucher, students must:

1. Be an official OCCC student in a financial aid eligible degree or certificate program.
2. Have completed a FAFSA for the current academic year and have a confirmed financial aid offer/award.

To Receive a Book Voucher

Each term students must come to the Student Services counter in Newport during normal operating hours and request a book voucher from the Financial Aid Office.   Book vouchers will be limited to the amount of the financial aid offer/award less tuition and fees.

Book Vouchers can be requested and used per the schedule below:

Cost of Attendance/How Financial Aid Offer Amounts are Determined

Find information here about OCCC’s Cost of Attendance and how financial aid offer amounts are determined.

Additional online resources for college and financial aid information for high school students, parents, and adult students. All sites also available in Spanish.

Student Aid on the Web  Covers all aspects of college planning and financial aid

Financial Aid Terms and Conditions of Award Agreement

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

FAFSA Financial Aid Estimator Estimates financial aid eligibility for high school students/parents

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Additional Resources

OCCC and OCCC Foundation Scholarships

Financial Literacy

FAFSA Simplification/Seven (7) Easy Steps to the FAFSA

This IRS Data Retrieval Tutorial explains in more detail the FAFSA process of transferring your IRS data to your FAFSA. This tutorial is meant to help you UPDATE your FAFSA with your IRS information. If you have not yet filed your FAFSA, you should refer to the 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA Simplification tutorial above.

Resources for Undocumented and DACA Students

Undocumented and DACA students can be eligible for Oregon Promise, Oregon Opportunity Grant, OSAC scholarships, and OCCC Foundation Scholarships.  Students must complete the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA).  Visit the resources webpage for more info.

Other OCCC Resources

Success Coaches Information about OCCC’s Success Coaches including how to make an appointment with one.

Academic Calendar The academic calendar provides important dates and deadlines for current and prospective students at OCCC.

OCCC Step Program STEP is the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Training and Employment Program. OCCC provides career coaching, resumé help, assistance navigating scholastic opportunities, and some financial and transportation assistance for eligible students.

Student Resource Navigator Provides support and assistance to OCCC students to address non-academic issues that can prevent degree completion including but not limited to: food and housing insecurity, mental and emotional health, physical health, childcare issues, and flexible employment opportunities.

Student Employment Information about Federal Work Study (FWS) and General Student Employment (GSE) at Oregon Coast Community College.

Community Resources

Lincoln County Resource Guide  List of resources available in Lincoln County, Oregon