Financial Aid

Beginning with the Class of 2025, NJDOE graduation requirements include the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or completion of a waiver. All college-bound students - whether applying to 2-year or 4-year colleges - should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Get started here, at FAFSA.gov.

For the Class of 2026, students and parents can begin the FAFSA on October 1.

8 Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

8 Steps to Apply for Financial Aid (Spanish)

How to create your FSA ID

How to create your FSA ID (Spanish)

Class of 2026 - FREE FAFSA Completion Workshops!

HESAA (NJ's Financial Aid resource) offers free webinars to assist with FAFSA completion:

HESAA FAFSA Webinars:

  • October 7, 2025 @ 12pm

  • October 30, 2025 @ 6pm

  • November 6, 2025 @ 12pm

  • November 20, 2025 @ 6pm

  • December 8, 2025 @ 6pm

  • December 22, 2025 @6pm

OCC FAFSA Workshops: O.P.E.N. (Opening Pathways to Education Now):

  • October 14, 22, 30

  • November 5, 11, 19, 25

  • December 3, 9, 17

All workshops are in person. Toms River Main Campus, Conference Center (Building #10, Room 109A), 5pm-7pm.

RSVP at O.P.E.N Reservations

What You Need to Know About Federal Student Aid, a slideshow presented by Ocean County College's Financial Aid staff to help seniors and parents navigate FAFSA.

Financial Aid information specific to New Jersey students is available from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, or HESAA.

Ocean County College's NJ STARS program information