Financial Aid & Grants

Getting Financial Aid for College & Trade Schools

It is highly recommended that EVERY student during their senior year fills out the FAFSA or ORSAA (alternative to the FAFSA for undocumented Oregon students) to be eligible for financial aid. Many scholarships/ colleges will require you to fill one of the two forms.

Financial Aid Applications

A Financial Aid Application is something students will complete starting the first quarter of your Senior year. You will complete this application each year you are in college.

If you are filing the FAFSA and you do not already have a FSA ID you should be working on getting one for yourself and one parent.

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Do you, the student, have a social security number? If yes, file FAFSA (normally in October) of senior year. Your College & Career Center can help you get started.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for all federal and state aid programs. You need to file the FAFSA each year you are in college in order to be considered for aid. Filing is FREE.

Eligibility: United States citizens and eligible noncitizens should submit the FAFSA.
Opens: Normally October 1, however the 25-26 FAFSA will open by December 1st, 2024.
FSA ID: Students, parents, and borrowers are required to create and use an FSA ID (username and password) to complete the FAFSA. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing federal documents.
Tax Information: Most people can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to directly link the FAFSA to your tax records with the IRS. This can eliminate the need to submit additional documentation to your college's financial aid office.

Helpful Resources:

Website- OSAC FAFSA/ORSAA Website: Our website provides additional information about the FAFSA including resources for completing the FAFSA.

Filter Tool- Should I file a FAFSA or ORSAA? If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or ORSAA take our short quiz to find out.

What Is FAFSA and Why Must/Should I File It?

FAFSA is the formula the federal government uses to determine if you get FREE federal schooling money.
FAFSA is the formula colleges use to help build your financial aid award letters.
FAFSA is also used for Oregon's need-based Oregon Opportunity Grant. OOG money must be used at Oregon schools.
FAFSA is the formula that is REQUIRED to receive Oregon Promise and/or Chemeketa Scholars money, even if you do not receive FREE federal or Oregon need-based aid.
Not receiving need-based aid? FAFSA is a check off box for you for OP and Scholars.
FAFSA is a formula often required by some colleges to be considered for their merit/grade-based scholarships.
FAFSA can BLOCK your tax information from being visible to your student using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. (More or the IRS DRT below.)

FAFSA Money - How Much Do I Get?

FAFSA offers access to the Federal Pell Grant for those who qualify income wise. That aide may include: Pell Grant, Federal SEO grant, work study award, and a student loan (no parent co-sign). The student loan maximums are $27,000 over four years. The grant money is based on need and is NOT a loan.

Federal Student Aid Playlist for Preparing for the FAFSA form.

Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel

ORSAA

The Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) is an alternative to the FAFSA for undocumented Oregon students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). By submitting the ORSAA, eligible undocumented and DACA students in Oregon can get help paying for college through grants, scholarships, and tuition reduction.

Eligibility: Oregon students who have undocumented status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, and/or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) should submit the ORSAA.
Opens: ORSAA follows the opening of FAFSA on a yearly basis, students are encouraged to complete their ORSAA as soon as possible and to contact OSAC if they run into any difficulties during the process.

Who Submits the ORSAA?

Oregon residents who have undocumented status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or a valid U-visa should submit the ORSAA.

Complete the ORSAA - Sign in

Helpful Resources:

Website - OSAC FAFSA/ORSAA Webpage: Our website provides additional information about the ORSAA process.
Filter Tool - Should I file a FAFSA or ORSAA? If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or ORSAA take our short quiz to find out.
Document - ORSAA Tip Sheet in English and Espanol: This handout answers many common questions students, parents, and educators have about completing the ORSAA.

More Resources - Financial Aid and Scholarships for DACA/Undocumented Students: For more resources about the financial aid available for undocumented and DACA students, please review this page on our OSAC website.

5 Tips for Completing the ORSAA

Learn about the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA)

Undocumented/DACA student Resources

JLV College Counseling - Scholarships for undocumented students
Oregon Goes to College - Undocumented student resources: This website has helpful information for undocumented students and their families. Oregon Gear Up - in Spanish
Scholarships for dreamers provided by BYU - You do not have to go to BYU to explore these options!
DREAMer's Roadmap is a mobile app designed to help DREAMer’s -undocumented students- find and track scholarship opportunities available for them across the nation.
- Dreamer's Roadmap Mobile ap for iPhones
- DREAMer's Roadmap App for Android
My Undocumented Life - High School Students
Oregon Gear Up understands that undocumented students face unique challenges in accessing and paying for higher education. This website has helpful information for undocumented students and their families.
Oregon Gear Up - Oregon Gear Up - in Spanish - Information for students, parents and educators to help assist undocumented students with college planning.
The Undocumented Life
Immigrants Rising
Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth

CSS Profile

What is CSS Profile?

The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. Only certain colleges and universities require the CSS Profile to be considered for need-based financial aid.

Who must complete the application?

Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating school is available online.

A list of CSS Profile Schools

Step-by-step Guide to completing the CSS application.

CSS Profile Step-By-Step Walkthrough By Road2College

Other Types of Aid

Colleges That Meet 100% of Need

Foster Care | McKinney Vento

What is McKinney-Vento?

The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education of Houseless Children and Youth Program, ensures that houseless children and youth are provided a free, appropriate public education, despite lack of a fixed place of residence or a supervising parent or guardian. The state public school admission statute assuring the right of houseless and other children and youth in similar circumstances to enroll in schools is Oregon Revised Statute ORS 339.115(7).

Every school district in Oregon has at least one designated Houseless Student Liaison to provide direct assistance to families navigating houselessness and unaccompanied youths to access and achieve in school. To reach a district liaison, refer to your schools counselor, social worker, or college and career coach.

Student's identified under the MVP are often considered independent on the FAFSA and can receive additional grant funding; they should connect with their College and Career Coaches as soon as possible.

Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

The Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program (also know as the Chafee Grant) provides funding to help current or former foster care youth with postsecondary education and training. Please see the Oregon Student Aid webpage for more information, and the Foster Youth webpage for more financial aid opportunities and resources available for current and former foster youth students.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

If you are planning on attending a college out of state you might end up paying more than 300% more than their in state tuition.

Through WUE your out of state tuition could be reduced so you only pay 150% more than their in state tuition. Learn more about this program and the out of state colleges that are involved in this program by visiting the the

WUE Website

WUE is not one size fits all! If your intended university awards WUE, reach out to your financial aid department to find out how to access WUE.

Budgeting For College

Create a Personal budget for College- Going to college means being more independent - which also means being more responsible. Consider using this resource to help you manage your monthly expenses while in college.

College Comparison Financial Worksheet - A quick way to compare financial aid offers and determine your out-of-pocket expenses after financial aid is applied.

Financial Aid Basics

One of the most important aspects of the college admission process involves understanding how to pay for college. Financial aid options include scholarships, grants, college work-study, and/or student loans. Students are encouraged to research all financial aid options.

Scholarships

Scholarships are one type of financial aid available to the student. Scholarships are categorized as either need-based (income) or (academic) merit-based. Students can research scholarship opportunities through various sources such as:

Parent/Guardian Employer
Community Service/Job Experience
Church or Religious Affiliation
Hobbies, skills, or special interests

Scholarship resources

Grants

Grants are based on the student's financial need and the student does not repay these funds. Students will apply for specific grants on a federal or state level. Some examples of grants available to students:

Learn About Grants on the Oregon Student Aid Webpage.

College Work Study

The Federal Work-Study program depends on the amount of funds your college has to award. Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA within the first 30 days of the application opening (October 1st).

Student Loans

Students have the ability to submit loan applications to attend a college or university. Once students complete the FAFSA, eligibility is determined. Any funds received are charged interest and will be repaid. Students are allowed to enroll either half-time (less than 12 credit hours) or full-time (12 credit hours or more).

Examples of Student Loans:

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Private Loans

Visit ECMC's website for more information on student loans.

Parent Loans

Parent Loans are based on the student's completed FAFSA. A parent or guardian must pass a credit check. These funds are to be repaid by the parent.

Financial Aid & Scholarships News

Oregon Promise- Deadline June 1st

Ford Family Foundation Scholarship - Opens December 1st, 2024!

Guido Caldarazzo Scholarship Application Advert

Guido Caldarazzo Scholarship Application- CLOSED

Site Search

Quicklinks

Language Selection

In This Section