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Free College for OCSEA Members

OCSEA members and their families can get their associate degrees online through Eastern Gateway Community College — for FREE.

Fill out interest form

For more information, call OCSEA at 614-865-4700 or email freecollege@ocsea.org.


Get your associate degree for FREE

Tuition, fees and textbooks are covered for OCSEA members and their families at Eastern Gateway. Just fill out the FAFSA to apply for a federal grant, or use your UET benefits, and the OCSEA scholarship will cover the rest.

Take classes online and on your own time

Classes are online, which is ideal for busy adults. If you have to interrupt your studies because of a busy week at work, you can pick up where you left off with no penalties.

Get credit for your work experience

Your previous college, work and military experience can count towards your degree. This includes Corrections Training Academy credit for our members in Corrections. And if you want to continue on to a four-year degree, Eastern Gateway advisors will help you choose courses that will transfer to any public college in Ohio.

See NEW course offerings

OCSEA and Eastern Gateway Community College are working hard to introduce as many new and exciting degrees in a variety of fields as much as possible. This includes the newest free college offering, an Business Management degree with an IT focus.


OCSEA has partnered with Eastern Gateway Community College to offer an educational program that works for busy professionals.

Eastern Gateway is a member of the University System of Ohio and is one of the fastest growing public colleges in the country. 

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Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year program which parallels the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree at most four-year institutions. As a student in the program, you’ll be able to choose electives that align with your interests and career goals. Depending upon your selection, you can progress into baccalaureate programs such as psychology, sociology, English, history, arts, communications or other fields in the arts disciplines.

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Criminal Justice Degree

Eastern Gateway’s Associate of Criminal Justice program is designed to give you with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in local, state and federal agencies. It’s also structured to support your transfer to a four-year, degree-granting institution. Course topics include Criminal Investigation, Crisis Intervention and Homeland Security. Students with a background in law enforcement or corrections are often able to receive credit through EGCC’s Prior Learning Assessments.

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Business Management Degree

The changing economy means workers need to regularly update their skills. These programs will help you do just that.

  • Business Management Degree with additional Concentrations in: Human Resources, Health Care Management, Marketing and Finance
  • EGCC is also offering a Business Management Certificate Option for accounting concentration
  • NEW! Google IT Support Certificate
  • Accounting
  • Labor Studies
  • Entrepreneurship
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Early Childhood Education Degree

The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree is your first step in building a foundation for success in the world of childcare. You will focus on important topics in early childhood, such as: development, learning assessment, special learners and instructional strategy.

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Healthcare Degree

These programs will get you started in the dynamic, growing field!

  • Healthcare Management (Business Management Degree Concentration)
  • Patient Navigator Certificate — An excellent program designed to train students for patient-centered work in healthcare.
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Paralegal Degree

The Paralegal Program is designed to prepare students for employment in a law environment in both public and private sectors.

Spring Session 1 begins Jan. 14, 2019

Spring Session 2 begins Mar. 19, 2019

Learn how to apply below

Step ONE

Confirm Eligibility

Get in touch with OCSEA before you apply to Eastern Gateway so that we can confirm you are an OCSEA member or an eligible relative.

The applicant must be a dues-paying OCSEA union member or related to an OCSEA member in order to apply for the Eastern Gateway scholarship program.

Confirm eligibility

Step TWO

Complete the FAFSA or apply for UET

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are an active OCSEA member and a state employee, call 800-969-4702, ext. 2645 or email blowe@ocsea.org to confirm eligibility for Union Education Trust. 

Any grants you receive will be applied to your tuition, fees and textbooks first; the scholarship will cover the rest.

Fill out the FAFSA

Step THREE

Apply to Eastern Gateway

Apply for admission to Eastern Gateway Community College with your official high school transcript or GED scores and an official college transcript, if available.

Once your application has been accepted, an advisor from Eastern Gateway will help you enroll in classes.

Apply to EGCC

Have questions?


We are here to help. We have compiled a list of our most asked questions by union members and relatives alike.


Click here for FAQ

Fill out interest form

To take part in this program, you must be a dues-paying OCSEA union member or related to an OCSEA member in one of the following ways; child (or step-child), grandchild (or step-grandchild), spouse or financial dependent. Please fill out this form to confirm your eligibility and a staff member from Eastern Gateway will contact you about your application.

Your Contact Information

Membership Status

Are you an OCSEA member? *

This will help OCSEA staff find your records in our membership database.

OCSEA Member's Information

If you are an OCSEA member, this section is not required.

Your Relationship to Member



This will help OCSEA staff find the member's records in our membership database.