The college will be closed December 24, 2024 at 2:00pm – January 1, 2025 for the holiday break.
Adult Students at OCC
We'll meet you where you are, so you can get to where you want to be.
Enrolling in college is a huge step. Add balancing a career, family responsibilities, childcare, financial management (just to name a few) and attending school as an adult learner goes from a huge step to a huge leap.
Whether you want to work towards a higher paying role, expand your skillsets, or launch into a new career, we have the support you need to succeed.
Academic
Schools serve as the hub for similar degree programs. Built into each one is a dedicated team of advisors, faculty, success coaches, and other support staff who are there to help you register for classes, discuss transfer or changing your major, and connecting you with services on campus.
The Learning Center provides free tutoring sessions online or in-person. You choose the number of sessions you sign up for or stop in for a one-time visit! You can also borrow a laptop using your Lazer Card.
Lazer Success is an online tool that allows faculty to provide direct feedback to students about their course performance and creates a bridge between students, professors, advisors, and support services with communication and appointment scheduling features.
Financial Support
We pride ourselves on offering a quality education at an affordable price and provide a financial road map for your time in school so you can graduate debt-free. Review our Tuition & Fees page for a comprehensive look at the cost of attending. Our Financial Aid Service Center team is available to help students navigate the financial aid process. Students in need of assistance can come in during walk-in hours. Limited appointments are also available.
The Box of Books program at the Bookstore makes it easier and more affordable to get all textbooks, supporting materials and a computer in one convenient place to get you ready for classes.
Childcare
The Children’s Learning Center offers high quality, affordable and accessible child care serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, available for OCC students and our community.
Health & Wellness
Students are encouraged to visit the counseling services office for personal and mental health counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, resources, and local referrals. The office is staffed by licensed counselors and also offers after-hours support.
Counseling & Community Care Hub
The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) works to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity in all aspects of the educational environment. OAR is a completely free service.
Office of Accessibility Resources
Campus Health Services, provided by Syracuse Community Health Center, is open to all members of campus. They're here to keep everyone healthy so they can do their best in the classroom and beyond.
Supporting Your Academic Goals
Our degrees and certificates are organized into four different Schools. All of our Schools have a team of faculty, advisors, and student coaches that specialize in your area of interest and are dedicated to supporting your success in college.
The Learning Center provides students with:
- Free Tutoring - You choose the number of sessions you sign up for. Appointments are conducted online or in-person.
- Technology - Borrow a laptop using your Lazer Card.
Lazer Success is an online tool that allows faculty to provide direct feedback to students and connects students, professors, advisors, and support services with communication and appointment scheduling features.
"I know I can be anything I set my mind to. I used to do things because I had to. Now I'm attending college so I can do something I'm passionate about."
- Jacqueline Gayle, Age 50
Financial Support
Paying for school is a major concern for many students, especially if they're already burdened by other expenses like housing, food, or child care. We do our best to offer ample financial support in the way of:
- OCC payment plans
- Federal Financial Aid, TAP, PELL grants, etc.
- Box of Books program & Open Educational Resources (OER)
- Scholarships
The Financial Aid Service Center team is available to help you navigate the financial aid process including completion of FAFSA and TAP applications, financial aid verification, federal and state aid eligibility, and navigate special circumstances. Walk-ins are welcome!
“…OCC's Nursing program was tailored for me. It was the program I needed to be in. I could learn at my own pace. I had the freedom to work and do things my own way."
- Ivo Perez Torres, Age 42
Your Health & Wellness Matters
Children's Learning Center
Finding school-life balance as a parent may seem impossible. We want to help.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, our high quality, affordable and accessible childcare service is available for students with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Visit our Children's Learning Center page to learn more about enrollment and cost of care.
The Counseling Services Office is for personal and mental health counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, resources, and local referrals. The office is staffed by licensed counselors and also offers after-hours support.
The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) works to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity in all aspects of the educational environment. Students are matched with an advisor, who will work one-on-one with them to map out an accommodation plan each semester that takes into account the student's academic goals.
"I was nervous at first because I hadn't been in college in so long... I wasn't in school for 30 years and I came here and got a 4.0 in my first semester. It was amazing!"
- Angela Adams, Age 51
Ready for next steps? We're here for you!
Book an appointment with an Admissions Specialist!
Tell us about your plans for attending OCC.
Ready to apply? It's fast, easy, and free!