Financial Aid Night

Gift Aid

• Grants
  • Federal - (Pell, SEOG)
  • State - (OR Promise, OOG, OTSG)
• Scholarships
  • COCC Foundation
  • OSU - Cascades Scholarships
  • OSAC and Others

Self-Help Aid

• Work Study

Borrowed Money

• Subsidized Loan
• Unsubsidized Loan
• Parent Plus Loan

COA - SAI = Need

FSA ID

• https://studentaid.gov
• Unique email addresses
• No processing time!
• Each contributor (including those without an SSN)
• Save your FSA ID log in!

How Do I Apply Preparation

• Contributors
  • Anyone who is required to provide information on the FAFSA
• FAFSA Parent
  • Parent who provides the greater financial support of the student
• Consent
  • Student will invite contributors to add informaiton
  • ALL contributors must give consent and sign

How Do I Apply for FAFSA/ORSAA?

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  • https://StudentAid.gov
• ORSAA - Oregon Student Aid Application
  • https://oregonstudentaid.gov/

Special Circumstances

• Loss of Income
• Secondary School Tuition
• Divorce
• Loss of Employment
• Death of Parent
• Dependent Care

What Happens Next?

1. FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
2. Make corrections if needed
3. Watch your email
4. Satisfy financial aid requirements from each school
5. Review and Act on offer

GPA

• Maintain 2.0 GPA or higher

Completion Rate

• Maintain cumulative completion rate of 66.67% or higher

Degree Progress

• Eligibility is limited to 150% of program

How Do I Apply Preparation

• What is a Scholarship?
  • Gift Aid
  • Competitive
  • Variety of Types (academic, athletic, etc.)
  • Some are renewable for multiple years
• When do I apply?
  • Start now
  • Common scholarships are between September to April
  • Apply for new scholarships every year

Where do I start?

• Local
  • College and University
    • Admissions Application
    • Institutional Application
• Your Community
  • Aspire/TRIO/Career Center
  • Local organizations
  • Employer
• State
  • OSAC (Office of Student Access and Completion)
  • OregonStudentAid.gov
  • OregonGoestoCollege.org
  • Deadlines
    • Early Bird: February 15, 2026
  • National
    • StudentAid.gov
    • Fastweb.com
    • Collegeboard.com
    • Scholarships.com
    • Finaid.org
    • Beware of Scams
    • Use Safe Internet Practices

Committee Considerations

• Community Service
• Test Scores
• Personal Statement
• Work Experience
• Leadership
• Academics

Scholarship Strategies

• Prepare Early
  • Professional Email Address
  • Request Transcripts
  • Request Letters of Reference
• Apply for Many
  • Awards less than $1,000
  • Field of study
  • Other interests/hobbies
• Submit your 2026-2027 FAFSA/ORSAA
• Do NOT wait until the last minute
• Take SAT/ACT early
  • Retake if needed
• Keep copies
  • Confirm submissions

Essay Writing Tips

• Answer all parts of the question
• Read and follow instructions thoroughly
• Make it personal and proof your work
• Reuse your essays and statements

Expect Success

• Congratulatory Letter or Email
• Read thoroughly
  • Understand requirements and save them
• Some may request a Personal Interview
  • Check your email and voicemail
  • Prepare and practice