All grade students are encouraged to run a FAFSA Estimator early in high school.
Every student when building their college list should understand how their colleges fit their family financially. Please understand if you have reach colleges on your list (e.g. co-signed parent loans), targets (e.g. federal *student* loan), and also have safety schools (e.g. no loans).
The 27/28 FAFSA for the Class of 2027 is open.
FAFSA is always glitchy when it opens. Wait to do it! Mid-October is a good time to begin FAFSA.
McNary's first 27/28 FAFSA/ORSAA Night is October 15th 2026.
Opportunities to do FAFSA or ORSAA with Mrs. Conolly:
October 8th 10-2 PM
October 9th 10-2 PM
October 15th 6-7:30 PM in the McNary Library
October 28th 1-6 PM in the CCC
October 29th 1-6 PM in the CCC
Attend a FAFSA night. Do the form correctly. You will likely not know if you made errors on your FAFSA.
Students should do the FAFSA first with Mrs. Conolly. I will set them up to help you at home on the parent portion.
The 27/28 ORSAA, Oregon's student aid form for undocumented students, will open also near October 1st 2026.
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 and make an FSA ID account.)
Mixed Status Families with a Student with an SSN: There are changes to the ORSAA this year, that would allow your student to file that form if they prefer and do not want to file the FAFSA. Please see Mrs. Conolly for a conversation to know how to make the best decision for your family. More information below.
McNary High School January 2026 Early Graduates
Class of 2027: Do the 26/27 FAFSA if and ONLY if you are a semester 1 graduate in January of 2026 and if you are headed to college during the 26/27 school year, that would be an April of 2026 arrival to the college.
Class of '27 semester 1 EARLY graduate FAFSA due dates are by Feb 1st 2026 for Oregon Promise and 26/27 FAFSA. Your 27/28 FAFSA will be due by June 1st 2027. You will do TWO FAFSA forms! (Same for semester 1 undocumented students with the ORSAA. You will do two ORSAA.)
FAFSA HELP VIDEO from Road2College
When a Spanish video is available I will post it.
FAFSA FRAUD DETECTION - New!
FAFSA fraud detection has been added.
Students need to have a government issued ID available while doing their FAFSA and be prepared to show that ID. Please discuss how you feel about that at home with your student.
If they do FAFSA with me, and ask for my help, I am believing the parent(s) want that help. Please discuss any concerns you have about FAFSA with your student before they come ask for my help in college/career.
I am here to support all families. Whether you will do FAFSA or choose not to complete it. Please come and see me for a nuanced discussion on options. College/Career is a safe space for your student (and the parents) to go over any concerns. What is best for one family may not be best for another, and then of course, accuracy matters when completing FAFSA.
ORSAA: Now Open to Mixed Status Families
Please see Mrs. Conolly for information in both Spanish and English.
From the State of Oregon. Their website has more information.
As part of the application process for these programs, individuals who are undocumented Oregon students or students with a DACA, TPS, or U-Visa status must complete the ORSAA to be considered for HECC-administered programs.
As of October 1, 2026, the ORSAA may be used in lieu of the FAFSA by students in mixed-status families to apply for Oregon state-administered financial aid programs. This expanded access to the ORSAA is effective as of the 2027-28 aid year. Please note that students from mixed-status families will forgo access to all federal aid in addition to Oregon Promise state funds if they decide to file the ORSAA instead of the FAFSA. Oregon Law requires all students eligible to file a FAFSA to do so to be eligible for the Oregon Promise. Students who do not complete the FAFSA will not be eligible for federal financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), work study, and federal loans.
FAFSA HELP VIDEOS will be updated as we have new videos in early fall of 2027.
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. As of fall '26 it can now be used by mixed status families for Oregon Opportuntiy Grant.
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.