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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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu