FAFSA/ORSAA Nights - CO2026

 

 The 2026-27 FAFSA & ORSAA are available NOW! 

 

Filling out the FAFSA is the gateway to federal aid for education after high school, including grants and scholarships, which don’t need to be repaid, as well as lower-cost student loans and work study programs. Most states and colleges use data from the form to distribute their own financial help, like institutional aid and scholarships. Millions of students submit it each year — if they don’t, they aren’t eligible for financial help from the federal government. 

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid   |    ORSAA - Oregon Student Aid Application

Use the FAFSA/ORSAA Filter tool. If your results direct  you to fill out the ORSAA, create your ORSAA account here.

               

RHS is holding several FAFSA/ORSAA Nights for graduating seniors (CO2026) and their parents to get help filling out 2026-27 financial aid applications for college or other accredited post-high training programs in fall 2026. Knowledgeable and supportive staff, counselors, college partners, and financial aid professionals are available during these work sessions to help you apply for financial aid. 

The goal of attending a FAFSA/ORSAA Night is for seniors and their parent(s) to complete and submit your 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA during the 2-hr work session.

FAFSA/ORSAA Night participants can also get help filling out admission applications for community colleges and apply to Oregon Promise (grant program for recent high school graduates: you may qualify for TWO years of free/low-cost tuition at any Oregon community college if you meet the OPG eligibility requirements).

To learn more about the Oregon Promise Grant, check out the fact sheets below.

Oregon Promise Grant (ENG) | Oregon Promise Grant (SP)

FAFSA/ORSAA Nights at RHS (Class of 2026)

 

  

Make sure you fill out the correct financial aid application! 

Class of 2026 will complete the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA; use 2024 federal taxes (IRS Form 1040). 

Class of 2027 will complete the 2027-28 FAFSA or ORSAA. use 2025 federal taxes (IRS Form 1040).

Class of 2028 will complete the 2028-29 FAFSA or ORSAA. use 2026 federal taxes (IRS Form 1040).

Class of 2029 will complete the 2029-30 FAFSA or ORSAA. use 2027 federal taxes (IRS Form 1040).              

The FAFSA Process (Step-by-Step):     

You can complete the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA in just a few steps: 

STEP 1: Determine student's Dependency Status.

STEP 2: Use FAFSA's Parent Wizard Tool to find out which parent(s) need to provide info on the student's FAFSA, as well as which parent(s) need to create an FSA ID. 

STEP 3: Create your FSA IDs (Student Aid account) - every student needs a Student Aid account to start the 2026-27 FAFSA, and at least one parent/contributor needs to create their own separate & secure FSA ID). Using the Parent Wizard Tool will confirm which parent(s) need to provide information and create FSA IDs.

STEP 4: Gather the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, including 2024 federal tax forms, records of other untaxed income (disability, workman's comp, unemployment, etc.), & checking/savings acccount balances.

STEP 5: Fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA (online). 

 

STEP 1: Determine the student's Dependency Status

 

 

Answer these Dependency questions to determine a student's DEPENDENCY STATUS. 

 

If the student answers "NO" to all of the dependency questions, they are considered "DEPENDENT." Dependent students AND their parent(s) are required to contribute their info to the student's FAFSA or ORSAA.

If the student answers "YES" to any of the dependency questions, they are considered "INDEPENDENT." Parent(s) are NOT REQUIRED to contribute their info to a student's FAFSA or ORSAA.  

More details about DEPENDENCY STATUS can be found here. 

STEP 2: Use FAFSA's Parent Wizard tool to confirm which parent(s) need to contribute to your FAFSA.

 

FAFSA's Parent Wizard tool will tell you who needs to contribute to your FAFSA and who needs to create an FSA ID. 

STEP 3: Create your FSA IDs _{^{(only for FAFSA...ORSAA uses emails to verify account info)}}

 

Every student must CREATE AN FSA ID (secure account, username/password) to start, fill out, sign, & submit the FAFSA. 

At least one parent(s) must CREATE AN FSA ID (separate & unique from the student's) to contribute info, tax/financial data, and sign the student's FAFSA electronically. It's against the law to have someone create an FSA ID for you, including the student. 

Remember, using the online Parent Wizard tool  will confirm which parent(s) must contribute to your FAFSA and who needs to create an FSA ID  must CREATE AN FSA ID.

IMPORTANT: Write down (or take a picture of) your FSA IDs & keep them in a safe and secure place; you'll need to use them every year you're in college and applying for aid. 

 

 

STEP 4: Gather your documents

 

Completing the 2026-27 FAFSA or ORSAA requires students & parent(s), in most cases, to provide information on your application. 

 

DEPENDENT students AND their PARENT(S) need to gather the following docs/info before completing the FAFSA. 

 

INDEPENDENT students only need to provide info about themselves; NO PARENT INFO IS REQUIRED. 

 

Gather the following documents and information before you file the FAFSA or ORSAA:

STEP 5:  Fill out the 2026-27 FAFSA  or ORSAA (online)

 

Complete the correct online application to apply for financial aid for school next fall.  Not sure which application to complete?Use the FAFSA/ORSAA Filter Tool to confirm which application to complete. You only have to do one or the other, not both! 

Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA   |   Complete the  2026-27 ORSAA

 

What happens after I submit my FAFSA?

 

Once your FAFSA has been processed, your financial aid info is sent to the schools you listed when you filled out FAFSA or ORSAA. Your schools will contact you directly if any additional information is needed, or if they require you to submit more documentation if you're selected for verification. 

Watch this YouTube video (3:01) to find out what happens after your FAFSA form is processed.