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Scholarship Information for Students

COCC Foundation Scholarships and Award Process

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Each year the COCC Foundation offers nearly 400 students with scholarships totaling more than $2.4 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 $5,250 this year!

The first cycle of the 2026-27 scholarship application is open from February 1 - May 1.
Apply here: cocc.awardspring.com

  • What is a COCC Foundation scholarship?

    COCC Foundation scholarships help students pay for education costs and do not need to be repaid. Each year, hundreds of scholarships are awarded based on donor criteria such as field of study, academic achievement, financial need and involvement.

    Scholarships are available to students enrolled in a COCC degree or certificate program. Scholarship funds are applied to tuition and fees first, with any remaining balance available for other education-related expenses.

  • 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 2026-2027
    • Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher (from high school, college or GED)
    • Demonstrate financial need by completing the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA

       

    Scholarship Eligibility FAQs:

    Can I receive a scholarship if I am dual enrolled at another institution?
    If you are considering dual enrollment at another institution, contact the Financial Aid Office for information about scholarship eligibility. You will need to declare COCC as your 'home school' if you are enrolled in the Dual Partnership Program with OSU-C in order to be eligible for the Foundation scholarship. 

    I am a Non-Degree Seeking student. Am I eligible for a scholarship?
    No. Non-Degree Seeking students must complete a Degree Status Change Form indicating Degree-Seeking status for Fall term before applying for the scholarship. Please wait at least one week after submitting the form before applying for a scholarship.

    Do high school students need to apply for admission before applying for a scholarship?
    Yes. Graduating high school students and College Now high school students must apply for admission to COCC before applying for a scholarship. Please wait at least one week after submitting your admission application before applying for a scholarship.

    I am a concurrent high school student. What do I need to do?
    Concurrent high school students who are Non-Degree Seeking must complete a Degree Status Change Form after graduating high school indicating Degree-Seeking status for Fall term.

    Can current COCC high school students apply before graduating?
    Yes. High school students currently enrolled at COCC who are within one year of graduating may apply as Non-Degree Seeking students. A Degree Status Change Form indicating Degree-Seeking status must be completed before Fall term begins.

    What if my COCC Foundation scholarship was revoked in the past?
    If your COCC Foundation scholarship has been revoked then are not eligible to reapply. Contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility.

  • Tell me about the selection process?

    The COCC Foundation awards scholarships based on financial need and the strengths each student demonstrates through responses to three short personal narrative questions. Financial need is defined as a lack of sufficient funds to pay for educational expenses. A student’s strengths are evaluated based on the circumstances they have faced, accomplishments they have achieved and 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.

    Personal 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 personal 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.

  • Steps to Apply

    1. Log in to AwardSpring

    COCC Foundation scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year are submitted through a scholarship portal called AwardSpring.

    Application Cycles

    • First Cycle: February 1 - May 1
      Notifications sent: June 8
      Scholarships apply to Fall 2026 through Spring 2027

    • Second Cycle: August 1 - October 20
      Notifications sent: November 10
      Scholarships apply to Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 through Spring 2027

    AwardSpring Login Information

    • Username: The first part of your COCC email address
      Email Example: Bobcat@cocc.edu → Username: Bobcat

    • Password: The same password used for your COCC student email account
      Need password help?

    Apply at: cocc.awardspring.com


    2. Complete the Application in AwardSpring

    • Agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    • From your Dashboard, select Start Application

    • Complete all required sections to submit your application

    • Sections marked “in progress” are incomplete

    • Sections marked “completed” are finished

    • You may save your work and return at any time before the deadline


    3. Prepare your Personal Narrative Responses

    Submitting personal narrative responses that have been written using Artificial Intelligence tools is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.


    4. Submit your Application

    • Once all sections are complete, the Submit Application button will appear in the lower right corner

    • Select Submit Application to finalize

    • After submission, you may log in to make changes until the application deadline


    5. Submit a FAFSA or ORSAA

    To be considered for a COCC Foundation scholarship, you must submit either the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA).

    • Use the quick tool to determine whether you should submit a FAFSA or ORSAA

    • When completing either application, be sure to list Central Oregon Community College

    • Submit the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA by April 22 for the first cycle or October 7 for the second cycle in order to have your application reviewed

  • What happens after I apply for a scholarship?

    Award Notification

    Applicants will be notified of awarding decisions by June 8 for First Cycle applications or November 10 for Second Cycle applications.

    If you need assistance or accommodation, contact the COCC Foundation at 541-383-7225 or scholarships@cocc.edu

    Scholarship Requirements

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

    • Enroll and complete at least 6 credits per term during Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 as a Degree-Seeking student in a degree or certificate program

    • Earn a high school diploma or GED by Fall 2026

    • Write a thank you letter to your scholarship donor per instructions that are provided to you

    • Volunteer at one COCC Foundation event during the academic year

    • Notify COCC of any changes to your phone number or address

    • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress per COCC's policy

    • Have a FAFSA or ORSAA on file with COCC each year

    • Check your COCC email account regularly for information from the College and the Foundation

Are you a current COCC Foundation scholarship recipient?

Congratulations on being selected to receive a COCC Foundation scholarship for 2025-26! Below is information about your scholarship.

  • What are the 2025-26 scholarship acceptance requirements?
    • Enroll and complete at least 6 credits per term for Fall 2025, Winter 2026 and Spring 2026 terms.
      • If you are selected for a scholarship during the second cycle in Fall 2025, then you can choose to have your scholarship deferred to start in Winter term 2026.
      • For Foundation purposes, Nursing and Veterinary Technology students are considered full-time at 9 credits and will get paid out 100% of the scholarship at 9+ credits. Aviation students are considered full-time at 1 aviation credit and will be paid out at 100% at 1+ credit, this excludes Unmanned Aerial System Operations majors. 
    • 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?

    2025-26 scholarships are $5,250 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 = $875 per term
    • 9-11 credits = 75% of scholarship = $1,313 per term
    • 12+ credits = 100% of scholarship = $1,750 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 2026-27?

    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 2025, Winter 2026 and Spring 2026 terms
      • If your scholarship starts in Winter 2026, then you just need 6 completed credits per term for Winter and Spring 2026.
    • Volunteer for a COCC Foundation event during 2025-26 (check your email frequently for opportunities from the Foundation and more details)
    • Complete an acceptance form and write a thank you letter to the scholarship donor each year. Forms and information will be sent to you in the spring.

    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.