For the last eight months OCSEA has been engaged in a pilot to bring a free college benefit to members and their families. Now, we’re officially rolling out the partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College whereby OCSEA members, spouses, children and grandchildren can earn their Associate Degree from Eastern Gateway Community College—at no cost to them.
To be eligible, interested students must apply for federal financial aid and use any grants to pay the tuition including any employer-sponsored tuition assistance, such as Union Education Trust or military tuition reimbursement. Any remaining balance for tuition, fees, or books at EGCC will be covered by an OCSEA scholarship.
This ensures that no student has to pay out-of-pocket for any tuition or fees at EGCC—resulting in cost savings of thousands of dollars!
It’s called a “last dollar” scholarship, which means all grants or employer assistance must be applied to the tuition first, in order to qualify for the scholarship. This will help sustain the program for the long haul and ensure that as many people as possible are covered, including family members.
Have questions about the benefit and how to apply? Go to our new website and read the FAQ at OCSEAEducation.org. If you have additional questions contact freecollege@ocsea.org.