Financial Aid (FAFSA/ORSAA-CO2025)

COMPLETING YOUR FAFSA or ORSAA is the first step in applying for money to help pay for college. Even if you don't qualify for a *PELL grant (free money from the government you don't have to pay back*), you should still fill out a FAFSA or ORSAA to see if you qualify for better loans &/or work study.

FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Fill out the FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

ORSAA = Oregon Student Aid Application: Fill out the ORSAA if you are NOT a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, or if you have DACA status.

Use the FAFSA/ORSAA Pre-filter tool if you're unsure which application you should complete.

_{The New (Better) FAFSA...}

The FAFSA went through some major changes last year due to the FAFSA Simplification Act, passed by Congress in 2019. Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA application cycle and going forward, students and parents may notice some major differences that were designed to make federal student aid accessible to more people. There's a new look, some new terms, and delays for many due to programming issues that are still being worked out by Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the Department of Education (DOE).

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now OPEN!

Current high school seniors (CO2025) should fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA ^_or ORSAA (for students in college between July 1st, 2025-June 30th, 2026).

To file the 2025-26 FAFSA, every student and at least one parent (contributor) will need:

FSA ID (separate & secure username/password combo, unique to each individual user)
Social security cards (numbers and legal names, exactly as listed on the cards)
Permanent Resident cards (AKA green cards), if applicable
Personal email addresses
Personal phone numbers
2023 Federal tax forms-IRS Form 1040 (if you &/or your parent(s) worked & filed taxes in 2023.)
Records of financial information not included on taxes (checking/savings account balances, records of untaxed income, child support received, Veteran's benefits, retirement/pension income, and business & investment records).

_{IMPORTANT Things to know about the 2025-26 FAFSA...}

IMPORTANT CHANGES to know about before you can start the 2025-26 FAFSA...

Every student and their parent/contributor must CREATE AN FSA ID (separate & unique usernames/passwords) BEFORE you can start the FAFSA. It's recommended that every student and at least one parent CREATE THEIR FSA IDs at least three days before coming to FAFSA/ORSAA Night.

There is a delay of 1-3 business days from the time you create your FSA IDs for FAFSA to verify your identity with the Social Security Administration. We can help you with your FSA IDs at a FAFSA Night, but you will have to wait 1-3 business days for the verification process to be completed before you can start your FAFSA.

Tips & Resources on: Applying for financial aid & Filling out the FAFSA

https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out

Use FAFSA's Parent Wizard tool to determine:

Which parent(s) need to contribute information to their student's FAFSA
Which parent(s) need to CREATE an FSA ID

https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-apply/parents

_{Which FAFSA Year do I File?}

If you graduate in...

Fill out FAFSA year...

For students in college from...

Use Federal Taxes (IRS Form 1040) from...

Class of 2025

2025-26

July 1st, 2025 - June 30th, 2026

2023

Class of 2026

2026-27

July 1st, 2026 - June 30th, 2027

2024

Class of 2027

2027-28

July 1st, 2027 - June 30th, 2028

2025

Class of 2028

2028-29

July 1st, 2028 - June 30th, 2029

2026

Class of 2029

2029-30

July 1st, 2029 - June 30th, 2030

2027

Class of 2030

2030-31

July 1st, 2030 - June 30th, 2031

2028

_{Preparing for the 2025-26 FAFSA/ORSAA..}

1. GATHER your documents BEFORE starting your FAFSA _or ORSAA.

2. Use FAFSA's new Parent Wizard tool to determine which parent(s) need to contribute information to a student's FAFSA, as well as which one(s) need to create an FSA ID. https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-apply/parents

3. CREATE YOUR FSA IDs - Every student AND at least one parent need to CREATE separate & unique FSA IDs to sign & submit FAFSA electronically. You should try to create your FSA IDs before coming to a FAFSA Night, because there is delay of 1-3 business days while FSA verifies your identity with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Students may not be able to start their FAFSA until the verification process is complete.

Create your FSA IDs here.

IMPORTANT: The new FSA ID requirement is for everyone...you can no longer print signature pages! All FAFSAs must be signed electronically, and that means parents/contributors must create a separate and unique FSA ID account than their student.

To create an FSA ID, you must have your OWN email address and phone number, and verify your own accounts. Parents must have a separate email account from their student.

Students and parents are not allowed to create or access each others' accounts.

Don't forget to use FAFSA's Parent Wizard tool so you know which parent(s) need to provide info on your FAFSA, as well as who needs to create an FSA ID.

TIP: Try to CREATE YOUR FSA ID before coming to a FAFSA Night, as you may not be able to start your 2025-26 FAFSA until the verification process with the Social Security Administration is complete.

Steps to CREATE AN FSA ID...

_{Dependency Status on the FAFSA: Who is my FAFSA Parent(s) / Contributor(s)? Who Needs an FSA ID?}

What's your FAFSA Dependency Status?

DEPENDENT students are required to provide parent information (including tax & financial info) on their FAFSA or ORSAA. If a student answers "NO" to all of the Dependency Status questions below, they are considered "DEPENDENT" students, and must provide parent info until they turn 24 years old, even if the student doesn't live with the parent(s). Most high school students are considered "DEPENDENT" students for FAFSA/ORSAA purposes.

INDEPENDENT students DO NOT have to provide parental information on the FAFSA or ORSAA. A student who can answer "YES" to any of the Dependency Status questions below are considered an "INDEPENDENT" student for FAFSA or ORSAA purposes.

Personal Circumstance Questions To Determine Dependency Status on the 2025-26 FAFSA Form

You are considered an "INDEPENDENT" student only if you can answer "YES" to any of these questions. If not, you are a "DEPENDENT" student who must provide parent information on your FAFSA.

Students...determine your DEPENDENCY status here:

_{Try the Federal Student Aid Estimator to find out how much aid you might be eligible to receive!}

You can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator before you start your FAFSA to find out how much federal aid you may be eligible to receive.

Try the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool today!

_{FSA Support}

Do you have questions or need help with your FAFSA?

Contact Federal Student Aid's (FSA) Customer Service Center: 1-800-433-3243, email or live chat with a FAFSA representative.

FAFSA representatives will ONLY speak with the student or the parent. They will not give information to anyone else, including a mentor/advocate, counselor, or other school official.

_{Other OSAC / HECC Resources for Students & Families (financial aid & state grants)}

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA (federal grant money for citizens, eligible non-citizens)

ORSAA - Oregon Student Aid Application - Fill out the 2025-26 ORSAA (instead of filling out the FAFSA) - State grant money for students who are undocumented, or have DACA-mented (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or TPS (Temporary Protected Status).

Financial Aid Resources for Undocumented/DACA-mented students

Oregon Opportunity Grant - Oregon's largest, needs-based grant program for college students.

Chafee Education & Training Grant - This grant provides funding to help current or former foster care youth with post-secondary education and training.

Oregon Barber & Hairdresser (B&H) Grant Program - This program provides one-time grants to low-income students who are attending a participating school in a financial aid eligible program.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance - The Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) program provides funding for current Oregon National Guard Members enrolled in an eligible Oregon post-secondary institutions for undergraduate tuition, certain fees, and a book allowance.

Oregon Student Child Care Grant - This grant helps parents enrolled in postsecondary education programs to obtain safe, dependable care that supports their children's development while allowing completion of the parent's academic programs.

Oregon Teachers Scholars Program - The Oregon Teacher Scholars Program (OTSP) Grant provides funding for eligible Oregon resident students who are culturally or linguistically diverse that are enrolled and pursuing their preliminary Licensure for teaching, school counseling, school social work, and school psychology.

Oregon Tribal Student Grant - The grant is for eligible Oregon tribal students to help cover the average cost of attendance after all federal and state grants/scholarships have been applied.

_{Other Resources to help pay for post-high training & college}

Oregon Opportunity Grant - Oregon's largest NEEDS-BASED grant (based on student & parent income from prior tax year, as determined by FAFSA or ORSAA. The money runs out, so APPLY for FAFSA/ORSAA ASAP after the applications open to qualify for all the FREE MONEY you can!

_{Oregon Promise Grant - Free Tuition & Fees at Oregon Community Colleges}_{(for those who qualify)}

Oregon Promise Grant - FREE/LOW-COST tuition at any Oregon community college

You can qualify for the Oregon Promise Grant if you have...

2.0+ GPA by the end of senior year
Lived in Oregon 12+ months before starting college
Completed & submitted your FAFSA/ORSAA by June 1st
- Listed at least ONE Oregon community college on your FAFSA or ORSAA
Completed & submitted the Oregon Promise application by June 1st
Enroll at least 1/2 time (6+ CR) at an Oregon community college the term directly following graduation (excludes summer!)

_{OSAC Scholarships}

OSAC Scholarship Application - DUE by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 3rd, 2025.

Early Bird Deadline: Submit by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 to have your name entered into a drawing for one of several $1,000 scholarships!

Fill out ONE application to apply for multiple scholarships!