Financial Aid

To qualify and continue to receive federal financial aid, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Have a high school diploma or GED, or meet Ability to Benefit requirements. 
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Have a valid social security number (unless you are from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
• Not be in default status on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant
• If male and between the ages of 18 and 26, must be registered with Selective Service
• Be pursuing a degree or certificate in an eligible program and have an Olympic College goal

Undocumented students must apply by completing the WASFA application. Visit our Undocumented Students webpage for eligibility requirements. 

Cost of Attendance is an estimate of how much it will cost a student to attend OC. This estimate is calculated for every financial aid package and total aid packaged cannot exceed Cost of Attendance.

2024 – 25 Standard Nine Month Cost of Attendance

Note: These tables reflect a standard nine month budget for a Washington State resident pursuing a two-year associate degree or certificate. These totals are based on a student enrolled in 6 or more credits (at least half-time). Cost of attendance is established annually by the Washington Financial Aid Association and varies by institution. 

This calculator will give you an estimate of the type and amount of aid students in similar financial situations as you have received to attend OC. This is an estimate only and NOT a promise of an aid package to you. Many factors go into deciding what aid is packaged, and can change from year to year. Funding may come from state, federal and institutional sources based on the federal student aid index (SAI) on the FAFSA.

In compliance with consumer information regulations, note that this Net Price Calculator is not binding with the Department of Education, the state, or OC. Information presented in the net price calculator is subject to change. You must file a FAFSA and meet all eligibility criteria as defined by state, federal, and institutional rules. For more info, try out the Net Price Calculator.

Net Price Calculator

How Financial Aid Eligibility Is Determined

We use this formula to calculate your financial aid eligibility:

Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index = Financial Aid Eligibility

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance is not your actual bill.
It’s an estimated budget used for financial aid purposes—designed to reflect a reasonable average of what students might spend during one academic year.

It includes things like:

• Tuition and fees

• Books and supplies

• Housing and food

• Transportation

• Personal expenses

Even if your real costs are higher or lower, we use this estimate to figure out what types and amounts of aid you might qualify for.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number the FAFSA or WASFA gives us after reviewing your financial information. It tells us how much the federal or state systems believe you (and your family, if dependent) can reasonably contribute toward your education for one year.

It’s based on things like:

• Taxed and untaxed income

• Assets (savings, investments, etc.)

This number replaces what used to be called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

If your financial situation has changed in the last two years—such as a loss of income, reduced hours, or other documented changes—you may be eligible to have your Student Aid Index (SAI) adjusted. You can submit a request for a financial aid reevaluation so we can review your eligibility based on your current circumstances.

To receive federal and state financial aid, a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.

Eligible programs include:

• Associate Degrees
• Applied Baccalaureate Degrees
• Certificate Programs that are at least 24 credits and which lead to a professional career

Certificate programs that are less than 24 credits or stand-alone credentials are not eligible.

Speak with your Student Success Coach or Faculty Advisor if you are unsure whether your program qualifies you to receive aid.

Students who receive federal student financial aid and many other types of aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is measured at the end of each term when grades are posted to your transcript, using the following measures:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): You must achieve a 2.0 GPA for the term and a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be in good standing.
• Pace of Progression: You could be placed in Warning Status if you do not complete at least 67% of your classes.
• Maximum Time Frame: You must make timely progress towards your degree.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Statuses

• Good Standing: You met all of the criteria for eligibility and will receive financial aid for the following term.
• Warning: At risk of being out of compliance. Two consecutive warnings will result in suspension of financial aid.
• Suspended: You did not meet academic standards for the term and will not receive aid for the following term.

For more information, review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

• Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Direct Loans
• Plus Loan for parents of dependent students

• Washington College Grant
• College Bound Scholarship
• State Work Study
• Passport to Careers
• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
• Opportunity Grant