Financial aid

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), opened later
for 2024-2025 due to many changes.

What is Financial Aid? 

Financial aid is money to help pay for college. Everyone can get financial aid, regardless of income, GPA or citizenship.

You can get financial aid based on need or merit. Need is what your family can contribute to college costs. Merit refers to achievement in academics, sports, or other areas.

FINANCIAL AID
Types of Financial Aid What is it Pay Back Merit Need
Grants Money from the state or federal government or the college NO ✅
Scholarships Colleges or organization give money for good grades, community service, athletic ability or other unique personal qualities NO ✅ ✅
Work Study Provides part-time jobs, often on campus, to help pay college costs NO ✅
Loans Money to borrow for college from the federal government, bank, organization, or person YES ✅

Ways to apply for Financial Aid

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The application that most students will fill out to start their financial aid journey. Students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible noncitizens will file for the FAFSA for each year they are in post-secondary school. The FAFSA was delayed this year and will open December 31st.  

ORSAA

Oregon Student Aid Application

The application that students who are DACA or eligible undocumented use to apply for financial aid. Unsure about which one to fill out? Click HERE for help. The ORSAA will be open for applications the same time that FAFSA opens. 

Students will file their FAFSA or ORSAA but not both. 


Students wanting to use the Oregon Promise Grant for community college MUST complete their FAFSA/ORSAA to be eligible for the grant. 

WHAT’S NEW WITH FAFSA THIS YEAR:

New terminology: instead of parent, FAFSA now uses “contributor”

  • A Contributor refers to anyone who is required to provide information, consent and approval, and a signature on the FAFSA form. 

    • This may include:

      • Student

      • Student’s spouse

      • Biological or adoptive parent

      • Stepparent

    • Contributors are determined by

      • Dependency status

      • Tax filing

      • Marital status

    • Being identified as a contributor does not mean financial responsibility. 

  • Federal Tax information will be transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form

  • Contributors must provide consent and approval for the transfer of federal tax information and are required to be eligible for federal student aid.

  • Each contributor needs an FSA ID. 

  • You can view the contributor process and status in your FAFSA account. 

  • Students can now select up to 20 schools on their FAFSA form

  • New terminology: instead of EFC (Estimated Family Contribution), FAFSA now uses SAI (Student Aid Index) This is the number that you receive after completing your FAFSA. 

What you need to apply for FAFSA:

  • FSA ID - your legal signature that ties your SSN (social security number) to an email address/phone number. Please DO NOT use your school email address. Every “contributor” will need a FSA ID. FSA ID video link

  • Students will invite “contributors” to their FAFSA form. 

  • FAFSA will pull tax information directly from the IRS. You may need additional supporting documents to complete your form. Supporting documents may include: 

    • Tax returns

    • Records of child support 

    • Current balances of cash, savings and checking accounts

    • Net worth of investments, business & farms

RESOURCES

  • OCHS FAFSA Lab

    February 8, 2024
    5:30pm - 7:30pm
    OCHS Library

    • Get help filing your FAFSA/ORSAA

    • Financial aid experts from CCC will be available to answer your questions

    • Make sure to complete your FSA ID before attending

    • Bring your laptop; onsite computers are available but limited.

    Visit

  • FAFSA Video Playlist

    Check out this playlist to learn about applying for financial aid, FAFSA form contributors, creating and accessing StudentAid.gov accounts, and documents to gather.

    Visit

  • FAFSA Website

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

    Visit

  • Clackamas Community College Financial Aid Resource Lab

    If you have questions about how to pay for college, we have answers.

    The Financial Aid Resource Lab (FARL) can help! Schedule a free virtual appointment with our Financial Aid Resource Lab assistants, who can give you one-on-one help with the financial aid process.

    Visit