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Scholarship Information for Students

COCC Foundation Scholarships and Award Process

Each year the COCC Foundation offers nearly 400 students with scholarships totaling more than $2 million. A scholarship is easy to apply for and if selected can be renewed for two additional years. Information and instructions about the process can be found below. Scholarship amounts are $5,000 this year!

The 2024-25 scholarship application is now closed.
The next application cycle opens on February 1 for 2025-26 scholarships.

  • What is a COCC Foundation scholarship?

    Scholarships are a great resource to help students pay for their education expenses and unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Hundreds of scholarships are awarded to students each year who meet specific qualifications designated by the private donor(s). These qualifications could be but are not limited to: field of study, academic record, volunteer service, athletic ability, artistic talent, financial need, club associations and members of under represented groups. Scholarships are worth seeking - so apply today!

    COCC Foundation scholarships are for students enrolled in a degree or certificate program at COCC. The scholarship is applied toward your tuition and fees first and if there are remaining funds, you can use them for expenses related to your educational needs.

  • Am I eligible for a scholarship?

    Criteria for Applying: 

    • Admitted to COCC or are currently enrolled or planning to enroll as a degree seeking student in a degree or certificate program for 2024-2025
    • Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher (from high school, college or GED)
    • Demonstrate financial need by completing the 2024-25 FAFSA or ORSAA

      Eligibility Notes:
    • If you are considering dual enrollment at another institution, please contact the Financial Aid office for scholarship eligibility information.
    • Non-Degree Seeking students need to complete a 'Degree Status Change Form' before applying for a scholarship indicating you will be a Degree-Seeking student for Fall term. Please wait at least 1 week after completing the change form before applying for a scholarship.
    • Graduating high school students and College Now high school students need to apply for admission at COCC before applying for a scholarship. Please wait at least 1 week after applying for COCC admission before applying for a scholarship.
    • Concurrent high school students who are Non-Degree Seeking need to complete a 'Degree Status Change Form' after graduating high school indicating you will be a Degree-Seeking student for Fall term.*
      • *If you are a high school student currently enrolled at COCC and are within one year of graduating high school, you can apply for a scholarship as a ‘Non-Degree Seeking’ student, but must complete a ‘Degree Status Change Form’ indicating you will be a ‘Degree Seeking' student before Fall term starts.
    • If you've had a COCC Foundation scholarship revoked then you are not eligible to re-apply (please contact us if you are unsure).
  • Tell me about the selection process?

    The COCC Foundation awards scholarships based on financial need and the promise each student shows which is demonstrated by answers to three narrative questions. Financial need is defined as lacking sufficient funds to pay for education. The promise a student shows is defined as the circumstances a person has faced and/or accomplishments they have made, combined with their sense of direction and educational goals.

    Financial need is determined in two ways:

    • Each student completes a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid Application).
    • Financial need is also determined through one of the questions answered in the application process, since the FAFSA/ORSAA formula does not capture individual life circumstance. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to display the promise that they show as a student.

    Narrative questions:

    1. Financial and Life Circumstances: COCC Foundation scholarships are based on financial need. Please explain any financial challenges you are facing as well as how these circumstances make continuing your education difficult without additional financial assistance.

    2. Education and Career Goals: Describe education and career goals that you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish them. Give an example demonstrating your commitment to these goals.

    3. Personal Accomplishment(s): Describe the personal accomplishment(s) of which you are most proud. This could include leadership roles, community/family involvement, or professional/educational contributions. Describe how the experience(s) has shaped you.

    Each narrative is read four times by volunteer reviewers, who score each question on a one to four scale. The volunteers only read and score the narrative questions. Therefore, the reviewer does not see the applicants name, age, gender, race, etc. You can view the scoring rubric for the narrative questions here.

    Submitting narrative responses written by Artificial Intelligence tools (AI) is strictly prohibited and will lead to disqualification of your application. Using AI-generated content for your scholarship responses undermines the integrity of your application and significantly diminishes your unique personal story. The scholarship review committee is looking to hear directly from you in your own authentic voice. Your narrative responses will be checked for AI-generated content using a detection tool.

    The award process then gives a point value to the FAFSA/ORSAA score and also a point value to the narratives. Scholarships are awarded to students with the greatest combined score as determined by their FAFSA/ORSAA and their narratives. Priority will be given to in-district students based on COCC's residency policy.

  • I am ready to apply for a scholarship!

    STEPS:

    1. Login to AwardSpring

      • 2024-25 COCC Foundation scholarship applications are accepted using a scholarship portal called AwardSpring from February 1 - May 1 (First Cycle) and August 1 - October 18 (Second Cycle).
          • First Cycle applicants will be notified by June 6 of awarding decisions. These scholarships are for Fall 2024 - Spring 2025.
          • Second Cycle applicants will be notified by November 12 of awarding decisions. These scholarships are for Fall 2024 or Winter 2025 - Spring 2025.
      • Your Username will be the first part of your COCC email address.
        • Example: If your email address is Bobcat@cocc.edu, your Username will be: Bobcat
      • Your Password will be the same password you use to open your student email account. 
      • If you need help with your password, click here.
      •  The 2024-25 scholarship application is now closed. The next application cycle opens on February 1 for 2025-26 scholarships.

    2. Once you are logged in to AwardSpring

      • Agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
      • From your Dashboard, click the Start Application button to begin filling out your application.
      • Several sections/tabs make up the entire application. Complete all of them in order to submit your application.
        • Sections that are not completed will display “in progress”
        • Sections that are complete will display “completed”
      • You can start and stop your application as needed.

    3. Prepare your three short narrative questions

      • Review the Narrative Questions & Scoring Rubric.
      • Spend time on crafting thoughtful narrative responses. Be sure to use your resources!
        • For example have a trusted family/friend/teacher proofread, use spell check, search the internet for scholarship essay tips. Submitting narrative responses written by Artificial Intelligence tools (AI) is strictly prohibited and will lead to disqualification of your application.

    4. Submit your application

      • Completing all tabs of your application will enable the Submit Application button in the lower right corner. Click it to submit your application.
      • After completing and submitting the application, you can login to make needed changes until the deadline.

    5. Submit a FAFSA or ORSAA

      • You must submit either the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) to be considered for a COCC Foundation scholarship.
      • Use this quick tool to determine if you should submit a FAFSA or ORSAA.
      • When applying for either FAFSA or ORSAA, be sure to list Central Oregon Community College.
      • You can submit the 2024-25 FAFSA or ORSAA any time before April 15 (first cycle) or October 10 (second cycle) to be eligible for the Foundation scholarship.
  • What happens after I apply for a scholarship?

    You will be notified by June 6 (First Cycle applicants) or November 12 (Second Cycle applicants) of awarding decisions. If you need any assistance and/or accommodation, please contact the Foundation at 541-383-7225 or email scholarships@cocc.edu

    If you are selected for a scholarship, you must agree to the following:

    • Enroll and complete at least 6 credits per term for Fall 2024, Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 terms as a degree seeking student in a degree or certificate program
    • Must have a high school diploma or GED by Fall 2024
    • Must write a thank you letter to the donor of your scholarship (we provide you with this information)
    • Must volunteer at one COCC Foundation event throughout the academic year
    • Notify COCC if your phone number or address changes
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
    • Have a FAFSA or ORSAA on file with COCC each year 
    • Check your COCC email account on a regular basis for information from the College and the Foundation
    • If you become dual-enrolled at any other institution, including OSU-Cascades, this scholarship is void. COCC must remain your 'home school' for financial aid purposes.

Are you a current COCC Foundation scholarship recipient?

Congratulations on being selected to receive a COCC Foundation scholarship for 2024-25! Below is information about your scholarship.

  • What are the 2024-25 scholarship acceptance requirements?

    • Enroll and complete at least 6 credits per term for Fall 2024, Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 terms.
      • If you are selected for a scholarship during the second cycle in Fall 2024, then you can choose to have your scholarship deferred to start in Winter term 2025.
    • Must write a thank you letter to the donor of your scholarship (we provide you with this information)
    • Must volunteer at one COCC Foundation event throughout the academic year
    • Notify COCC if your phone number or address changes
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
    • Have a FAFSA or ORSAA on file with COCC each year 
    • Check your COCC email account on a regular basis for information from the College and the Foundation
    • If you become dual-enrolled at any other institution, including OSU-Cascades, this scholarship is void. COCC must remain your 'home school' for financial aid purposes.

  • How do I receive my scholarship?

    2024-25 scholarships are $5,000 for the year.

    Your scholarship will be applied to your student account in three installments; fall, winter and spring terms. The award amount per term will be based on your enrollment level on the tuition due date (second Friday of each term).

    • 6-8 credits = 50% of scholarship = $833 per term
    • 9-11 credits = 75% of scholarship = $1,250 per term
    • 12+ credits = 100% of scholarship = $1,667 per term

    The scholarship is applied toward your COCC tuition and fees first and if there are remaining funds you can use them for expenses related to your educational needs. Accepting a COCC Foundation Scholarship may prompt a revision and possible reduction of your federal financial aid.

  • How do I renew my scholarship for 2025-26?

    Your scholarship can be renewed up to two additional years (three years total) if:

    • Maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA
    • Enroll and complete at least 6 credits per term for Fall 2024, Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 terms
      • If your scholarship starts in Winter 2025, then you just need 6 completed credits per term for Winter and Spring 2025.
    • Volunteer for a COCC Foundation event during 2024-25 (check your email frequently for opportunities from the Foundation)

    You will NOT need to reapply for a COCC Foundation Scholarship next year. If you meet all the above requirements then you will be eligible for a renewal scholarship and will receive a letter and email confirming your renewal scholarship in mid-May for the following academic year. At that time you will be required to accept the renewal scholarship and write another thank you letter for the renewal scholarship.

    Note: not all scholarships are renewable. Please check your acceptance form to find out if your scholarship is renewable. If you are not sure please email scholarships@cocc.edu.

Do you have a financial emergency or childcare expenses?

  • Help for Students in Need
    Learn about resources to help with housing needs, the food bank, medical help, counseling and other financial resources.
  • COCC Student Relief Fund 
    If you have suddenly encountered unanticipated expenses related to your education, the COCC Student Relief Fund may be able to help.
  • COCC Childcare Assistance Fund
    The COCC Childcare Assistance Fund is a program to supplement the costs of childcare.

For additional scholarship opportunities, please visit the Financial Aid scholarship page.

QUESTIONS

For questions regarding your scholarship application or if you need any assistance and/or accommodation, please contact the Foundation at 541-383-7225 or email scholarships@cocc.edu.