Your Financial Aid Checklist

If you’re still in high school, meet with a guidance counselor to discuss your transition to college. It’s also wise to ask the counselor for leads on scholarships or other types of college funding for which you may qualify.

Apply online for admission to Oakland Community College. Be sure to include your Social Security number because without it, we can’t work with the U.S. Department of Education to determine your financial aid. It usually takes one to three business days to process your application.

After we notify you that you’re admitted, log into MyOCC and activate your student email account. You must have a student email account to register for classes. In addition, all communications from OCC’s Financial Aid office will go to this account, so check it often.

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. It’s your key to getting federal grants, loans, and work-study; state funding; and some types of financial aid from OCC.

Check your MyOCC account for your financial aid award offer from OCC.

If you’re accepting any federal student loans included in your award offer, complete online entrance counseling and sign your master promissory note at Federal Student Aid.

Check for scholarships where you may qualify. Be sure to check Scholarship Universe, a tool provided by OCC that matches you with internal and external scholarships based on your background.

Complete new student orientation in MyOCC. It’s listed in the Pre-Registration Steps card.

Take any required placement tests in English, English as a second language, math, and biology.

Schedule an appointment with an OCC counselor. Students must have a declared major of study in a Financial Aid-approved program in order in a program that's eligible for financial aid.

Register for courses within your eligible major in MyOCC.