Scholarships
Oregon Coast Community College students have opportunities to apply for a number of different local, regional and national scholarships to help defray the cost of their college education. Peruse the links below to learn more about the scholarships that might be right for you.
OCCC Foundation Scholarships
The 2026-2027 Scholarship Application is now open until May 1st – 11:59 pm PST. (Apply here!)
- The OCCC Foundation awarded $111,500 in scholarship funds for the 2025-2026 school year to 84 recipients from funds supported by local donors and the Foundation’s investment fund.
- All scholarship recipients must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and be taking at least 6 credits.
- OCCC Foundation scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, and books at OCCC only and will be applied to the scholarship recipient’s account at the beginning of each term. Courses taken through other community colleges cannot be paid for with OCCC Foundation scholarships.
- These scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from individuals and organizations within our community. To learn how you can be a part of this important work or for more information, email us or call 541-867-8531.
Scholarships
Below is a list of scholarships managed by the OCCC Foundation, funded by generous members of the Lincoln County community who share our commitment to YOUR success.
After reviewing and scoring scholarship applications, the all-volunteer OCCC Foundation Scholarship Committee matches applicants with the most appropriate available scholarships as listed below.
Scholarship | Preference for… |
| Alison Baker & Roger Chickering Scholarship | No preference |
| Anna May Clark Scholarship | Students studying art |
| Betty Lee Schellhase Scholarship | Nursing students |
| Central Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (Melissa Stanley Memorial Scholarship) | Full-time students (12 credits) |
| Central Oregon Coast National Organization of Women Scholarship | Students demonstrating a commitment to Women’s Rights |
| Don & Ann Davis Memorial Scholarship | Teaching students |
| Duanne & Cathy Peltier – A Teacher’s Gift Scholarship | At least 10 credits per term |
| Edward van Aelstyn Memorial Scholarship | AA degree or transfer degree students |
| Jamieson-Bergeron Scholarship | No preference |
| Julie & Sener Otrugman Scholarship (Central Coast Fly Fishers) | GED students |
| Linda Johnson Scholarship | Residents of Waldport or Yachats, and 1st or 2nd generation college students, single parents, at least 12 credits |
| Nancy Steurer Nursing Scholarship | Nursing students |
| Nancy Stevens Nursing Scholarship | Nursing students |
| Oregon Coast Bank Toledo Welding Scholarship | Toledo welding students |
| Oregon Coast Veterans Association Scholarship | Veterans, veteran family members, or current members of the armed forces, and nursing or pre-nursing students |
| Oregon State Credit Union Scholarship | Business students, full-time students |
| Dr. Patrick O’Connor Scholarship | No preference |
| Penny Ittner Scholarship | No preference |
| Pam Gill & Chris Boyle Teacher Pathway Scholarship | Teaching students |
| Pam Gill & Chris Boyle Nursing Scholarship | Nursing students |
| Robert A. Clapp Memorial Scholarship | 1st generation college students or age 30+ |
| Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship | Students employed at SNLH |
| Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship | Nursing students |
| Sandi & Ron Williams Scholarship | No preference |
| Susan & David Gomberg Scholarship | No preference |
| Taft Masonic Lodge Scholarship | Nursing students, at least 10 credits, minimum 2.8 GPA |
| United Methodist Women Scholarship | Students from Toledo |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3156 Scholarship | 2nd year nursing students, residents of Yachats, Waldport, Tidewater or Seal Rock, minimum 2.8 GPA |
| Yachats Ladies Club Scholarship | Health-care related field or teaching, residents of Yachats, Tidewater, Waldport, or Seal Rock |
Oregon Coast Scholars
The Oregon Coast Scholars Program is a competitive, merit-based, full-tuition scholarship program for up to two years for Lincoln County high school seniors, homeschool students, and military veterans who meet eligibility requirements. Learn More and Apply
Featured Scholarships
Annette Mulee Scholarship Fund
Betty Gray Early Childhood Scholarship
Funded through an endowment established with the Oregon Community Foundation, this scholarship provides support for students seeking a degree or certificate in early childhood education. There are multiple application due dates throughout the year.
Chapter EO PEO $1,000 Scholarship
The Gribler Loving Trust
Olga (‘06) and Bill Gribler (‘85), residents in Newport since 1947. Bill taught music and entertained throughout the community on the piano, violin, and accordion. Olga worked for the telephone company and later the Bank of Newport. Together they enjoyed digging clams at the beach, hunting and traveling. They established this generous scholarship through the Pacific Communities Health District Foundation to address the ongoing need for quality nurses in our rural area.
The recipient will be awarded up to $3,000 a year for up to two years, which will be issued upon proof of enrollment/acceptance in a nursing program at an accredited college/university or other educational institution. A new application is required annually. Check back for details.
Osher Crankstart Re-Entry Scholarship (UO Transfers Only)
Ford Transfer Scholars Program
Oregon Tribal Student Grant: 2026-27 Application Open
- Apply: The application opened December 1, 2025.
- Verify: After submitting the OTSG application, you must complete the Tribal Enrollment Verification form.
- FAFSA/ORSAA: You must also submit a 2026-2027 FAFSA or ORSAA.
Other Scholarship Resources for OCCC Students
Below are listed some of the most frequently won private scholarships by OCCC students just like you.
| Scholarship | How much | Application | Deadline | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. OSAC By filling out one application, you apply for several scholarships. | Average is $3,100 | Oregon Student Access | February |
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| 2. Ford Family Foundation This scholarship provides up to 90% of your college costs! | Up to 90% of your unmet financial need | Oregon Student Access | February |
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| 3. US Bank | $1,000 | USBank.com | May |
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| 5. Oregon Community Foundation The OCF awards offers many unique scholarship programs. | $500 to $3,000 | Oregon Student Access | February |
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| 6. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation This scholarship is competitive, but it’s worth the effort! This rigorous scholarship is based on aspects of achievement, financial need, persistence, leadership and service to others. Contact your Academic Advisor for help applying. | Up to $40,000 per year | Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship | December |
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Want more?
There and many, many, many more scholarships out there. How do you find them? Use a scholarship search site. Three of our favorites:
Información en Español
Los estudiantes de Oregon Coast Community College tienen la oportunidad de solicitar diversas becas locales, regionales y nacionales para ayudar a sufragar el costo de su educación universitaria. Examine los enlaces a continuación para obtener más información sobre las becas que podrían ser adecuadas para usted. Si necesita ayuda con la información a continuación o si tiene preguntas sobre ayuda financiera, no dude en comunicarse con la Oficina de Asuntos Estudiantiles por correo electrónico student.affairs@oregoncoast.edu o al teléfono 541-867-8501.
Becas de la Fundación OCCC
Si necesita ayuda, comuníquese con la Oficina de Asuntos Estudiantiles por correo electrónico studentervices@oregoncoast.edu o al teléfono 541-867-8501.
Las becas de la Fundación OCCC pueden usarse para matrículas, cuotas y libros solo en OCCC y se aplicarán a la cuenta del beneficiario de la beca al comienzo de cada período. Los cursos tomados a través de otros colegios comunitarios no se pueden pagar con becas de la Fundación OCCC.
How to Find Scholarships
1. Do some research
Finding scholarships is all about searching through a lot of scholarships to find the few that are right for you. So your first step is to conduct research online. The key to this step is to be creative and open-minded about the possible sources of scholarships – did you work for a grocery store? That chain might offer a scholarship. Were you in a club during high school? The club could offer a scholarship. Are you studying to be a nurse at a hospital? Check with the hospital where you want to work – they might offer a scholarship!
| Sites that relate to your school or region |
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|---|---|
| Ask people you know |
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| Search the web for scholarships that relate to you |
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| Scholarship search sites |
2. Understand the criteria
While searching, you’ll be asking yourself if the scholarship might be right for you. When you spot a scholarship that might be a good match, ask yourself:
- Do I meet the minimum criteria?
- Do I meet any of the preferred criteria?
If you answer yes to one or both, add it to your list of scholarships to apply for. If you don’t meet ALL of the criteria, but still feel you are a good candidate for the scholarship, feel free to apply. If the scholarship description states that you will be disqualified if you don’t meet some of the criteria, then don’t waste time applying for it.
Criteria translation
It’s not always clear what the scholarship criteria is asking for. Below is a table of some common terms you might see, and what each term really means.
Scholarship lingo | What it means |
|---|---|
| Academic merit | This means you have good grades and good test scores. Generally this includes a GPA ranging between 3.0 and 4.0. But don’t be discouraged to apply if you don’t have perfect grades. |
| Demonstrates financial need | Some scholarships give preference to students who need more help paying for college. They will look at your FAFSA information (we’ll explain the FAFSA later) to determine your level of financial need. If you’re not sure you meet this criteria, apply for the scholarship anyway. |
| Enrolled in a degree-granting program | This means you have declared a degree and are taking credit classes that apply to that degree. If your major is undeclared, or you are taking classes for fun without the goal of getting a degree, you would not meet this criteria. |
| Preference given to applicants of a specific race or ethnicity | This can include students of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Native American and multi-ethnic backgrounds. The word “preference” indicates it is not the only determining factor for the scholarship. If you don’t meet the preferential criteria, still apply – the scholarship committee will pick the best applicant. |
| Intend to enroll full-time | This means that you plan to be enrolled full time (12 credits or more) while receiving the scholarship. You don’t have to be currently enrolled or admitted to the school when you apply for the scholarship. |
| First generation college student | This means that your parents did not receive a four-year college degree |
3. Prioritize your list
Now it’s time to prioritize: You probably don’t have time to apply for all of the scholarships that you qualify for. So spend time on those that you best fit or the few where you match most all of the qualifications. Ask yourself these questions to narrow your list:
- Is there any fine print that would disqualify me?
- Will I be in school at the time the money is awarded?
- Are there any restrictions that will make it so I can’t use the money?
How to avoid scams
For some reason, there are a lot of fake scholarships out there. Be careful about giving out sensitive information. If a scholarship website asks for any of the following information, it’s a red flag and you shouldn’t apply:
- Credit and debit card numbers, bank information.
- Social Security Number.
- Social media contact information. You should not need to provide Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter accounts to apply.
- Scholarship fee not within a private organization or membership.