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Strong Start Summer Scholarship For Recent High School Graduates
The STRONG START SCHOLARSHIP helps cover tuition and standard fees for your first credit class (up to 3 credit hours) at Odessa College during the summer term immediately following your high school graduation. (Note: Continuing education and workforce non-credit classes are not eligible.)
Eligibility:
- First-time Odessa College student (no previous OC credit, including dual credit)
- Enrolled in a credit class beginning the summer after high school graduation
Important: The scholarship has no cash value and is not transferrable. Recipients are not eligible for First Class Free.
Complete this application to be considered for the STRONG START scholarship
Deadlines:
- Summer I: May 15th
- Summer II: June 15th
By submitting an application for the STRONG START scholarship, and upon receipt of the scholarship, you agree to the following:
- Complete the FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
- Complete the AwardSpring Scholarship Application https://odessa.awardspring.com/
- Meet with designated College Life Coach during the summer
- Meet with a designated Academic Success Coach during the summer to register for fall and to develop a completion plan Contact Advising Center
- Enroll in the fall semester immediately following the summer term in which you received the STRONG START scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
It covers your first, summer class immediately following high school graduation (up to 3 credit hours), including tuition and standard fees. It does not include books, supplies, or special course fees.
If your class is more than 3 credit hours, you are responsible for the remainder, unless other aid covers it.
If your first, summer class is less than 3 credit hours, the balance is not applied to another course or term. The Strong Start Scholarship has no cash value and the balance is not transferrable.
No. It is a one-time benefit for your first, summer class immediately following high school graduation only.
No, students who receive the STRONG START scholarship are not eligible for first class free in subsequent terms.
Yes. This scholarship can be combined with financial aid or other awards.
Any for-credit class offered by Odessa College. This includes online, in-person, and hybrid courses. Continuing Education (non-credit) classes are not eligible.
If you drop the class you lose the Strong Start Scholarship. The Strong Start Scholarship has no cash value and the balance is not transferrable.
Remember, if you do not plan to take the course and use the scholarship, it is your responsibility to ensure you have been withdrawn from the course. Because your first, summer class was funded, it may be graded. Not attending the class is not the equivalent to withdrawing from the class.
No. Part-time students are eligible as long as it is their first, summer class immediately after high school graduation.
No. The scholarship is only for students with no prior Odessa College credit.
Yes, Continuing Education courses and programs are not considered prior OC credit.
Yes. Your account in Wrangler Portal and your printed registration statement will show a Strong Start Scholarship credit for your first, summer class immediately following (up to 3 credit hours). You can also confirm with student accounts at studentaccounts@odessa.edu.
Yes. Completing the FAFSA may qualify you for additional aid for books, supplies, or more classes.
Yes. Residency does not affect eligibility. Out-of-state students are eligible and will receive the in-state portion of tuition and fees waived for your first class (up to 3 credit hours).
Only the first, summer class immediately following high school graduation (up to 3 credit hours) is covered. Any additional classes will be billed at the regular tuition rate. Financial aid or scholarships may help cover the cost. You may also consider setting up a payment plan.
The Strong Start Scholarship has no cash value and the balance is not transferrable.
No. Dual credit counts as prior OC credit and makes you ineligible.