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Scholarships for Current Students

Orange Coast College Scholarships are funded by generous donors to the Orange Coast College Foundation.  For information on how you can make a scholarship donation to support OCC students please contact the Foundation Office.

Orange Coast College scholarships are for current OCC students in all disciplines. Your scholarship application must be fully completed and electronically submitted by the deadline date. Be sure to read the Application Instructions below before applying.

The 2024/25 OCC Scholarship Application is now Closed. The 2025/26 OCC Scholarship Application will open Mid-December until the end of February.

If you have any questions, please contact the Scholarship Office 

(714) 432-5645 or e-mail the office at: Scholarship Office

  • Fill out the online application and follow the application instructions.
    • Your application will automatically be applied to qualified general scholarships. However, there may be a few additional scholarships that you may be qualified for, which require an additional essay as it pertains to that particular scholarship. Please follow the application instructions if you wish to apply for these additional scholarships. Be sure to apply every academic year from mid-December until the end of February.
  • Within the application, two references are required. OCC Faculty, Staff, or administrators is preferred.  
    • Once you've entered their email address, the system will automatically send them your request.  They fill out the form electronically.  Once they submit the form the system will upload to your scholarship application.  You can log in to your application and check any time before the deadline date to see if your recommenders have completed your Reference Form. Deadline to submit is the same as the scholarship deadline. Make sure you ask them early.
  • Personal Essay --REQUIRED.
    • Type your Personal Essay directly onto your application.  However, it would be better if you gather your thoughts then type it on  a Word document and copy and paste in to the scholarship application.
    • Limit your essay between 500 to 800 words using 12 pt. font. 
    • Some ideas to include in your essay:  educational and personal goals, life history, significant obstacles you have overcome, achievements you have succeeded, personal and financial needs that are unique to you, or any special circumstances that have had a significant impact on your academic performance. Any additional information you feel will help us know you better. Emphasize events that have negatively or positively affected your cumulative grade point average.
    • Tip Sources for Essay:
 

Applying as a Continuing Students:

  • Must be returning to OCC Fall of 2024
  • Completed at least 12 units with letter grades at OCC by the end of the Fall 2023
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, however GPA requirement varies among scholarships
  • ​Enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units during the Spring semester 2024

Applying as a Transfer Students:

Must transfer to a four-year institution in the Fall 2024 or to a program not offered at OCC where a certificate or degree can be received. If you aren't sure you will be transferring, check with an OCC Counselor
  • ​Have completed 42 units or more by the end of the Fall 2023, with at least 24 of those units completed at OCC
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, however GPA requirement varies among scholarships
  • Enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units during the Spring semester 2024 
  • ​Have not previously applied as a "Transfer" student
  • Application Deadline is midnight on 2/29/2024.
  • Applicants will be notified by OCC email of scholarship status in late April 2024.
  • The Honors Night event is mandatory. Scholarship awards are given at Honors Night. Selected recipients are invited to attend the Honors Night event and all Scholarship Recipients will receive an invitation.
  • Instructions to receive the scholarship award will be emailed in June 2024.
  • Disbursement starts in September 2024 for the 2024/2025 academic year.
  • Disbursement of the scholarship award is contingent on fall semester enrollment.
  • Classes enrolled must be within the United States.
  • Deadline to claim your award is 10/31/2024.  Any unclaimed award by the deadline date will be forfeited.

Department Scholarships are generally selected by faculty of the department to be awarded at Honors Night. Be sure to ask your department faculty or Division Office about Department Scholarships.

Students applying for a Department Scholarship must also fill out an OCC Scholarship Application during the application period (mid-December until the end of February).

The due dates depend on the department.

Important points to remember while reviewing these opportunities.

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA required for most department scholarships
  • Scholarships are awarded based on funds available and may not be awarded each year
  • Selections are made via nomination, or an application process by the department.

OCC Departments