OCC Advantage

What is OCC Advantage?

OCC Advantage is a college and career readiness program designed for high school students attending partner schools whose households have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $125,000 or less. Students must maintain program eligibility throughout high school to qualify for benefits.

Eligible students who graduate from a partner district and enroll full-time at Onondaga Community College in the fall or spring semester immediately following graduation may receive OCC Advantage funding toward an associate degree program. To qualify, students must also be eligible for federal and New York State financial aid.

OCC Advantage funding applies only to fall and spring semesters and is available for up to two years.

How to earn funding through the OCC Advantage program:

OCC Program Requirements:

During High School:

  • Sign up: Enroll in OCC Advantage as a high school freshman through your school counselor.
  • Stay on track: Maintain required GPA and attendance standards.
  • Give back: Complete all required community service hours.
  • Get prepared: Participate in all college readiness programming.
  • Apply to OCC: Submit your application by March 1 of your senior year.
  • Apply for financial aid: Complete the FAFSA and TAP applications by May 15 of your senior year and Excelsior Scholarship by June 15 your senior year.
FAFSA and TAP due: May 15th. OCC code: 002875
Excelsior due: June 15th. OCC code: 002875

Once You’re at OCC

  • Choose your path: All associate degree programs at OCC are covered
  • Attend orientation: Participate in the required orientation program.
  • Stay full-time:
    • Complete 30 credits per academic year
    • Maintain continuous full-time enrollment (15 credits per semester) for up to 2 years
  • Meet GPA requirements:
    • First Year: Minimum 2.2 cumulative GPA
    • Second Year: Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Renew financial aid annually: Submit FAFSA, TAP, and Excelsior applications each year by May 15.
  • Stay engaged: Complete at least one service-learning course, college service activity, or internship each year.

Who Is Eligible for OCC Advantage Funding?

Students are eligible for OCC Advantage funding if they:

  • Attend one of the approved partner high schools,
  • Successfully complete all OCC Advantage program requirements, and
  • Come from a household with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $125,000 or less.

Partner Schools:

*Please note if you attend a school that is not one of our partners, you are not eligible for this program. 

Important Notes

  • Eligibility Monitoring: Your progress and eligibility at OCC are monitored by your OCC Advantage Coordinator.
  • Meeting Requirements Matters: If you do not meet all program requirements while enrolled at OCC, you will lose OCC Advantage funding. Please note that there is no appeal process; however, you will not be required to repay funding already received.
  • Additional Coursework: Summer and winter session classes may be used to help meet credit requirements, but these courses are not covered by OCC Advantage funding.

Program Brochure
 

Senior Checklist