Application Steps

There are three key steps to the financial aid process: 

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). 
2. Check for and submit any missing documents. 
3. View and accept your award. 

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA® or ORSAA 

To apply for federal or state financial aid, you will need to complete the FAFSA® or the ORSAA. You only need to apply for one of these.  

Not sure if you should do the FAFSA® or the ORSAA? Use the FAFSA®/ORSAA Filter Tool to see which form you should submit.

Make sure to add Mt. Hood Community College (school code 003204) on your list of colleges that you want to receive your FAFSA or ORSAA.

File the FAFSA® here 

The FAFSA® is for US citizens and certain eligible non-citizens. To learn more about who may submit the FAFSA®, see FAFSA® eligibility requirements.  

The FAFSA® is the form for all federal financial aid, including the federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, federal direct loans, and Federal Work-Study program. The state of Oregon also uses the FAFSA® to determine your eligibility for state aid. Use the federal student aid estimator to see what federal student aid you may be able to receive.     

File the ORSAA here > 

The Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) is an alternative to the FAFSA for undocumented Oregon students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). By filing the ORSAA, eligible undocumented and DACA students in Oregon can get help paying for college through grants, scholarships, and tuition reduction. 

When to Apply 

The FAFSA® and ORSAA open each year on Oct. 1 and you will need to submit it each year. No matter what term you might plan to start taking classes, MHCC advises applying for aid as early as possible each year (preferably by Feb. 1) to maximize the potential aid you might be able to receive. FAFSA® and ORSAA can be submitted and accepted at any time throughout the year, but some state or scholarship funds may be limited or unavailable if you apply later than the suggested dates below.  

The chart below shows recommended dates to apply and submit forms. Following these dates will help prevent any delays in your financial aid. 

• If you apply or submit documents later than these dates, there may be delays on your financial aid until after the start of the term.  
• Plan ahead! It can take up to six weeks to complete all the steps outlined above. 
• You will be notified by Saints email when we receive your FAFSA® or ORSAA, when your aid package is ready, or if additional information is needed.
• There are payment plan options in case you do not receive financial aid. contact the financial aid office for assistance.

Step 2: Check for Missing Documents 

After you submit your FAFSA®, be sure to check for any financial aid alerts or missing documents in MyMHCC. Complete all forms or requests for information that is missing. Check your MHCC Saints email and MyMHCC portal often for alerts or needed information. 

What is FAFSA® Verification?  

Verification is a process that the US Department of Education uses to make sure that the information reported on the FAFSA® is correct. If you have been selected for FAFSA® verification, then the office of financial aid may need more information or documents from you. You will receive an email notice to review your missing documents and wwhatever is needed will be listed under your missing documents in MyMHCC. It is important to respond and provide any requested documents quickly to avoid any further delay with your financial aid; we cannot award your financial aid until this process is completed.  

After you have submitted all files, the MHCC office of financial aid will make any needed corrections to your FAFSA®. It can take two to three weeks to complete this process from the date that all requested documentation is received. 

Once all items have been received and processed, your aid will be awarded, and you will receive an email notice of your award offer. 

Step 3: View and Accept Your Financial Aid 

Once your financial aid is awarded, you will be able to view your award package in MyMHCC. All grants and scholarships are automatically put in an accepted status. If you want to use loans or federal work-study, you will need to accept or decline those awards.  

If you accept loans, you must also complete loan entrance counseling and a master promissory note (MPN) through studentaid.gov. If these are not completed, your loans will not be disbursed.  

If you want to use financial aid during summer term or take less than 12 credits during any term, you must also complete a credit revision form in MyMHCC. This lets the office of financial aid know your plans so they can adjust your aid.  

What’s Next? 

Financial aid disburses on the second Wednesday of each term. Aid is first used to cover any tuition and fee costs for your classes. Any remaining funds may be refunded to you to use for any and all education-related expenses. To set up where you would like your refunds to go, you will need to set up your account with BankMobile.  

See financial aid dates and deadlines for terms starts for more important information. 

Visit the Student Services Hub or contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions. We’re happy to help!