Financial Aid/Scholarships

Types of Financial Aid

• Scholarships: money that does not need to be repaid, may or may not be based on need
• Grants: money that does not need to be repaid, usually based on need
• Work/study: money that is paid for work performed while in school, requires FAFSA to be filed
• Loans: money that is borrowed and must be paid back, usually includes an interest rate charge

The philosophy of financial aid is that it is the parent and student responsibility to pay for higher education expenses to the extent they are able, and that the family’s financial circumstances should be evaluated in a consistent and equitable manner in determining the amount of aid they are eligible to receive.

Click on the Scholarship Opportunity buttons below to learn about current opportunities. The BCHS Scholarships focus on local, regional, and state sources, and CHS students earn some of these every year. The Oregon Gear Up Scholarships focus on state and national scholarships, and there may be some overlap.

Federal and State Aid

FAFSA, the Free Federal Financial Aid Form, is required by most colleges if you are applying for scholarships and/or financial aid. Gather supporting documents and information prior to filing the form in October of your senior year. FAFSA must be filled out electronically at studentaid.gov. Both the student and parent will each need to create an account (FSA ID) at FAFSA Create an Account (FSA ID).

ORSAA is an alternative to FAFSA for DACA students or undocumented students. The ORSAA gives eligible undocumented students the ability to apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, the Oregon Promise Grant, and certain OSAC scholarships. Learn more about the ORSAA.

The Office of Student Access and Completion is a state program that helps Oregon students plan and pay for college. Learn more at www.oregonstudentaid.gov and apply here.

Oregon Promise Grants

Oregon Promise is a state grant program that helps to cover most tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® recipients. Once awarded, you can receive Oregon Promise until you have attempted a total of 90 college credits. There is no limit to the number of years or terms you can receive the grant; it is based on a 90 credit limit. You must meet all of the eligibility and application requirements:

Apply

1. Submit the Oregon Promise Grant Application by the appropriate deadline.
2. Submit the FAFSA or ORSAA and list at least one Oregon community college. You must complete this by your application deadline.

Eligibility

• Be a recent Oregon high school graduate or GED® test graduate.
• Attend an Oregon community college by your required start term, based on your graduation date.
• Have a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA or higher, or a 145 grade on all GED^® tests.
• Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to college attendance. For dependent students, your parent(s) must also live in Oregon.
• Have no more than 90 college credits completed or attempted, including those earned from LBCC College Now and AP credits.
• Students may be subject to eligibility requirements based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). EFC eligibility requirements are subject to change based on available funding.
• Visit Oregon Promise FAQs for all details. 

Oregon Opportunity Grant

The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon’s largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students. Approximately 40,000 students receive Opportunity Grants each year.

Apply

1. Submit the FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible after October 1 each year.
2. Watch for emails from the U.S. Department of Education and/or OSAC. Correct any FAFSA or ORSAA errors immediately.

OSAC Scholarships

Select from a catalog of over 500 scholarships with a single application. 

• New to OSAC? Register to apply
• Refresh previous year’s application
• Check status of awards and renewals
• Forgot username or password?

Institutional Aid

Check with the school you plan to attend: the school’s website or catalog for scholarships/financial aid opportunities. Check under Financial Aid and/or academic departments.