Financial Aid

DO YOU NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE?

The financial burden from college can initially be intimidating, but there are many programs and scholarships available to help out.

Federal Student Aid

What is Federal Student Aid?

It’s money from the federal government– specifically, the U.S. Department of Education– That helps you pay for college. Federal student aid is available through grants, work-study, and loans every year. Most school-based and all federally funded scholarships, grants and loans require you to file a FAFSA to be eligible. FAFSA uses student’s expected family contribution (EFC), therefore there is no income limit.

How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

To apply for federal student aid, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Here is a link to the FAFSA webpage:

FAFSA

September 2023 UPDATE

The FAFSA process is updating and, while on typical years, the FAFSA opens in October, this year it will not open until December. However! You can still prepare yourself for the process by completing your FSA ID.

When should I apply for Federal Student Aid?

If you plan to attend college from July 1, 2023 through June 20, 2024, you’ll be able to submit a 2023-2024 FAFSA form beginning on in December 2023. You’ll be required to report income and tax information from 2021.

State Financial Aid

Oregon Opportunity Grant – Oregon’s largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students is free money from the State of Oregon.

WHAT… is Oregon promise?

Oregon Promise is a state grant that covers most tuition at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED recipients. Students must apply during their senior year. 

WHO… is eligible?

  • Must have a 2.00 cumulative high school GPA or higher, or a 145 grade on all GED® tests.

  • Must have been an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to college attendance. 

  • Students may be subject to eligibility requirements based on their Expected Family Contribution. EFC eligibility requirements are subject to change based on available funding. 

  • Plan to attend an Oregon community college 

How.. do I apply for Oregon Promise?

  1. Go to OregonStudentAid.gov

  2. Create an account in the OSAC Student Portal

  3. Complete the Oregon Promise Application

  4. File your FAFSA or ORSAA and list at least one Oregon Community college

How much money you can receive under the Oregon Promise Grant?

Oregon Student Access Commission

(OSAC) Scholarships

What is OSAC?

 Timeline

  1. Early fall: Begin searching and selecting scholarship opportunities in the OSAC Scholarship Catalog. Return often, as new scholarships are always being added.

  2. October: File your FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible after October 1. Doing so will ensure you are considered for all scholarships that consider financial need.

  3. November – February: Start your OSAC scholarship application and submit from November through March 1st. You can save and come back to your application before you submit.

    • First-time applicants: create an OSAC account and start the OSAC Scholarship Application.

    • Returning applicants: refresh and update your application from last year.

    • High school juniors may start a “test application”, but cannot submit until their year of graduation.

  4. February 15*: Early Bird deadline. Complete applications (including transcripts) submitted by this date will be entered into a drawing for one of several $1,000 Early Bird scholarship awards.

  5. March 1*: Final deadline for all materials to be submitted to OSAC.

  6. April – August: Track your application status and scholarship awards in the OSAC Student Portal.