Apply for financial aid your senior year of high school and every year you are in college.
You will need to fill out one or more applications to receive financial aid. Complete applications as soon as possible after they open to get the most aid.
Figure out which financial aid applications you need to complete
FAFSA
What it is: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Who completes it: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible noncitizens
Types of aid: Grants (including Pell, Oregon Opportunity and Oregon Promise), scholarships, loans, work-study from federal and state governments and colleges
Opens: December 1
ORSAA
What it is: Oregon Student Aid Application
Who completes it: Eligible undocumented students in Oregon
Types of aid: Grants from the state government including the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the Oregon Promise grant
Opens: December 1
Oregon Promise Application
What it is: Application to cover most of the tuition cost of community college in Oregon
Who completes it: Eligible students planning to attend an Oregon community college, including undocumented students
Type of aid: Oregon Promise grant
Opens: September
Due: June 1 for most students (Deadline Chart in English and Spanish)
OSAC Scholarship Application
What it is: One application for over 600 scholarships for Oregon students
Who completes it: All Oregon students, including undocumented students
Type of aid: Scholarships
Opens: November 1
Due: February 15 (early bird); March 3 (final)
CSS Profile
What it is: An additional financial aid form required by some colleges (in Oregon, Reed College)
Who completes it: Students who apply to colleges who require it
Types of aid: Grants and scholarships from the college
Opens: October 1
Other grants and scholarships
What it is: State, regional, national, and college-specific financial aid
Who completes it: All students, including undocumented students
Types of aid: Grants and scholarships
Be prepared before you apply
Make a list of the information you will need for each application and gather it before you apply.
What you need to apply
| FAFSA | Students | Parent(s)* |
|---|---|---|
| FSA ID | ✓ | ✓ |
| Birth date | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social Security number, if applicable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver's license number, if applicable | ✓ | |
| Alien registration number, if applicable | ✓ | |
| Federal tax returns and W-2s, may be able to transfer directly from IRS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Records from untaxed income, for example: child support, pensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank account and small business/family farm records | ✓ | ✓ |
*Determine which parent(s) information to include. Independent students do not need this information from parent/guardian(s).
| ORSAA | Students | Parent(s)* |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | |
| Birth date | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social Security number, if applicable | ✓ | |
| Driver's license number, if applicable | ✓ | |
| DACA registration number, if applicable | ✓ | |
| Federal tax returns and W-2s | ✓ | ✓ |
| Records from untaxed income, for example: child support, pensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank account and small business/family farm records | ✓ | ✓ |
*Determine which parent(s) information to include. Independent students do not need this information from parent/guardian(s).
| Oregon Promise | Students |
|---|---|
| User name for app.oregonstudentaid.gov | ✓ |
| Password | ✓ |
| Permanent e-mail address, not school e-mail | ✓ |
| Full legal name | ✓ |
| Birth date | ✓ |
| Social Security number, if applicable | ✓ |
| Address | ✓ |
| GPA/Transcripts | ✓ |
You must also complete the FAFSA or ORSAA by your deadline for the grant.
| OSAC Scholarship Application | Students |
|---|---|
| User name for app.oregonstudentaid.gov | ✓ |
| Password | ✓ |
| Permanent e-mail address, not school e-mail | ✓ |
| Full legal name | ✓ |
| Birth date | ✓ |
| Social Security number, if applicable | ✓ |
| Address | ✓ |
| GPA/Transcripts | ✓ |
| Activities, volunteer work, paid work history | ✓ |
| Essays | ✓ |
If you are applying for any need-based scholarships, you must submit the FAFSA or ORSAA by March 1.
Schedule time to apply
Ask for help if you need it! Your high school or college may host financial aid workshops during or after school. You can also ask for help from your high school counselor or someone in the college financial aid office.
Get help with the FAFSA.
The Office of Federal Student Aid manages the FAFSA.
- FAFSA FAQ
- Federal Student Aid FAQ, plus support via e-mail, online chat or phone
- Federal Student Aid social media: Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and YouTube
Get help with the ORSAA.
The Office of Student Access & Completion (OSAC) manages the ORSAA.
- Guide to the ORSAA
- ORSAA tip sheets (also available in Spanish)
- Call (800) 452-8807 or e-mail ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov
- OSAC social media: Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and Youtube.
Follow up after you apply
Confirm your application(s) are complete and the information is correct.
If you filled out the FAFSA:
You will receive a FAFSA Summary Submission via e-mail that summarizes what you submitted. If any of the information is incorrect or incomplete, make changes as soon as possible. If you don’t have any changes, keep it for your records.
If you filled out the ORSAA:
You can sign in online to review your information and make sure it is complete and correct. If you need to correct information or add a college, download the PDF of your application, edit and re-submit. Make sure your status says “Satisfied” at the end.
Be prepared for verification
Verification means the college must confirm the information you provided on your financial aid form is accurate. The college(s) will contact you with instructions. Stay organized throughout the verification process.
If you filled out the FAFSA:
Your FAFSA Student Summary says if you have been selected for federal verification. This means you’ll need to complete additional forms for every college you’ve applied to. Even if you aren’t selected for federal verification, college(s) can select you for institutional verification.
If you filled out the ORSAA:
There is no formal verification process. However, college(s) can select you for institutional verification.