Requirements and Instructions

Scholarship Application

Requirements and Instructions

Eligibility

• The applicant must be an Ocean County resident.
  • Applicant must upload a photocopy of Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s License obtainable through the Division of Motor Vehicles to certify In-County residency.
  • Student ID is not acceptable.
  • The address on the license must match the address on file at Ocean County College.
•  Applicant must be registered and enrolled in an OCC degree program.
  • If not currently enrolled, please complete an Ocean County College Application for Admission before applying for scholarships.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Please note that some scholarships may require additional eligibility requirements.

Application Requirements

• All applicants must file the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  • Even if students are not eligible for federal financial aid (Pell Grant and loans), they still must complete it to determine income levels and financial needs.
• A transcript of grades.
  • Unofficial copies are acceptable.
  • If 10 years or more have elapsed since the student’s most recent educational experience, please contact the foundation office at scholarships@ocean.edu for information on how to complete this question on the application.
• A photocopy of the applicant’s Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s License obtainable through the Division of Motor Vehicles must be attached to certify in-county residency.
  • A student ID is not acceptable.
  • The address on the Driver’s License must match the address on the application and on file with the College.
• All applicants must provide an essay stating why they should receive a scholarship, keeping in mind, what distinguishes his/her need from others and sets them apart and also how they will benefit from receipt.
  • Essay must be at least 250 words.

Important

• Failure to comply with these guidelines and requirements will result in the rejection of the student’s application.
• Submitting an application is in no way a guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded.

Restrictions

• In most cases, The Foundation does not award scholarships to students receiving financial aid grants that fully fund their direct educational expenses (tuition & fees only). The amount of any scholarship will be determined after all federal and state grant aid has been deducted from the student’s direct educational expenses (tuition & fees only).
• In most cases, NJ STARS students are not eligible for OCC Foundation scholarships unless they are a NJ STARS student taking more than 18 credits. The Foundation will consider paying for the additional credits for tuition only.
• Kean University students, including those taking OCC classes, are not eligible for OCC Foundation scholarships.
• Jump Start and Academy Students applications can be found at Jump Start/Academy Students Application Website
• Workforce and Professional Education Grant Opportunities Grants can be found at Workforce and Professional Grant Application Website

Scholarship Payment Information

• Scholarships are applied to tuition & fees only.
• Scholarship awards are paid directly to the student’s accounts at Ocean County College. Should a student have a balance, the scholarship will go directly to pay down the balance. If there are any remaining funds, the student will receive payment at the end of the semester.
• Scholarship dollar amounts are contingent upon full-time enrollment. Any student taking less than 12 credits will have their scholarship prorated unless otherwise noted by the donor.
• After the first day of classes, any student dropping a course is at risk of having their scholarship prorated. Scholarship funds are not released until after the drop date. The student will be held responsible for any resulting balance.
• The OCC Foundation reserves the right to deny future funding to any student who drops courses which they cannot be held accountable for or any student who fails to complete a course without dropping.