All grade students are encouraged to run a FAFSA Estimator early in high school.
The 26/27 FAFSA for the Class of 2026 is now open.
Attend a FAFSA night. Do the form correctly. You will likely not know if you made errors on your FAFSA and it gives you a higher than expected FAFSA SAI.
ORSAA, Oregon's student aid form for undocumented students, will open after FAFSA.
Every parent contributor, whether they have an SSN or not, needs to make an FSA ID to help their student with the FAFSA. (Married filing jointly on taxes? Only 1 parent needs to be a contributor.)
Class of 2026: Do the 25/26 FAFSA if and ONLY if you are a semester 1 graduate in January of 2026 and if you are headed to college during the 25/26 school year.
Class of '26 semester 1 graduate FAFSA due dates are by Feb 1st 2026 for Oregon Promise and 25/26 FAFSA. Your 26/27 FAFSA will be due by June 1st 2026. You will do TWO FAFSA forms! (Same for semester 1 undocumented students with the ORSAA. You will do two ORSAA.)
I will post a Spanish FAFSA Help Video as soon as we have one available.
25/26 FAFSA Resources
FAFSA for students with a social security number (SSN) for all schools that disburse federal money.
ORSAA for students who are DACA, TPS, or undocumented, is Oregon's need based money.
CSS Profile a financial microscopic look under the hood of your family's finances used by the nation's most generous colleges.
CSS Schools often require BOTH FAFSA and CSS PROFILE and they should be done after October 1st of senior year and early.
Do you, the student, have a social security number? If yes, file FAFSA (normally in October) of senior year. Please begin these next steps in College/Career! I will not see your family's financials.
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. The Pell Grant is now: $7395 a year.
FAFSA is the formula colleges use to help build your financial aid award letters.
FAFSA is ALSO the application for Oregon's need-based Oregon Opportunity Grant. (Max $7,542 per year) OOG money must be used at Oregon schools.
FAFSA is the formula that is REQUIRED to receive Oregon Promise 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 Oregon Promise.
FAFSA is a formula sometimes required by some colleges to be considered for their merit scholarships.
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 (maximum $7395 per year), Federal SEO grant (maximum $1050 per year), work study award (maximum $4,000 per year), and a student loan (no parent co-sign). The student loan maximums are $27,000 over four years. The free grant money is based on need and is NOT a loan. The student loan must be paid back.
ORSAA - OREGON MONEY
ORSAA money is for undocumented, DACA, and TPS students. ORSAA is very similar to FAFSA! See Mrs. Conolly for help.
Your application is very similar to the FAFSA.
It is extremely private.
The money can only be used at Oregon schools.
CSS PROFILE
College Board CSS Profile Resources
Applying to SELECTIVE and GENEROUS Meets Need Schools? Expect to also do the CSS Profile which is another financial formula required by 400 or so schools.