College and Community Financial Aid Programs

NOTE: External links below are marked with this symbol †. Clicking on these links will take you out of the SUNY Orange Web site. The college cannot be responsible for the content on these pages, although the links on this page have been reviewed and are recommended by the staff of the Office of Financial Aid.

Local College Work-Study (LCWS)

College funds are also available for students who do not meet the Federal Work-Study eligibility requirements. Orange County Community College requires that students applying for the local CWS Program complete all forms necessary for the federal CWS Program. Pay rates start at $8.00 per hour. (Pay rate is subject to change) FAFSA † required.

American Opportunity Credit and Life Time Learning Tax Credits

See Student Accounts web page for additional information to assist in your understanding of these important tax credits.

Orange Works Grants

The Recovery Act of 2009†provides special funds to Orange Works†, the Orange County employment offices, to pay for training which improves the employability of individuals.

Who is eligible

Individuals who are considered qualified for training can receive funding to upgrade their knowledge and skills so as to become better prepared for job opportunities. Such individuals include:

• Unemployed workers
• Underemployed workers
• Workers who have been displaced or dislocated
• Individuals needing skills in order to qualify for work
• Low-income adults
• Individuals on Welfare

In general, a person may be considered a dislocated worker if he or she:

• Is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation;
• Has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job;
• Was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster; or
• Is a displaced homemaker. A displaced homemaker is generally a person who previously provided unpaid services to the family (e.g., a stay-at-home mom or dad), is no longer supported by the husband or wife, is unemployed or underemployed, and is having trouble finding or upgrading employment.

Grants

This grant can be applied to either:

• Credit courses leading to an AAS degree or certification, or
• Non-credit courses providing training in various skills

In addition to applying for this grant with Orange Works, the Financial Aid Office encourages you to complete a FAFSA in order to access additional funds to help fulfill your college needs.

How to apply

Applications for training should be made to Orange Works at these locations:

Middletown Office:

Orange Works
33 Fulton Street
Middletown, NY 10940

845-346-1101

Hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

Newburgh Office:

Orange Works
3 Washington Center (next to the SUNY Orange Newburgh Campus)
Newburgh, NY 12550

845-568-5377

Hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday- Friday