Student Eligibility
Will I be eligible for aid?
U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens may apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA. Those who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, who are residents of Oregon, may apply for state grants via the ORSAA. Not sure which to submit? Use the FAFSA/ORSAA filter tool.
To be eligible for federal and/or state aid, including most grants and loans, you must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Seeking an aid-eligible RCC certificate or degree program
- High school or GED completion (or the recognized equivalent)
- Make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Not owe an overpayment of federal aid or be in default on a federal student loan
Not all “aid” is the same
“Aid” is a blanket term used for funds a student may receive to help with educational expenses. This can include grants, loans, Work-Study and scholarships. A student may be aid eligible at RCC but that doesn’t mean they will qualify for all types of aid.
Some aid, like Pell, SEOG and Oregon Opportunity Grants, Work-Study and Subsidized loans are need-based. That means not everyone qualifies. Financial need is determined by the student’s FAFSA or ORSAA, with a number called the Student Aid Index or SAI. (Prior to the 24/25 school year, it was called Expected Family Contribution or EFC.) Students are considered to have financial need if their SAI is less than Financial Aid Student Budget. You must have high financial need to qualify for Pell, SEOG and Oregon Opportunity Grants.
Other aid, like Unsubsidized loans, don’t require you to have financial need. Scholarship eligibility is determined by the scholarship donor. Some may be need-based, some not.
Visit the “What kind of aid is available” page for more details on kinds of aid and requirements.