Clackamas Community College

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Application Procedures

You may apply for financial aid anytime throughout the year. However, because certain financial aid funds are limited, you should apply as early as possible. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) are available online beginning Oct. 1 each year. To be eligible for most types of financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA or ORSAA. These applications compile financial information and other details about students and families, which the U.S. Department of Education and the state of Oregon use to determine financial need and eligibility for various financial aid opportunities.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for a federal or state grant, a work program or loan must complete a FAFSA. Apply online at www.fafsa.gov. No fee is charged.

Undocumented Oregon residents complete the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) at oregonstudentaid.gov to determine eligibility for state-based financial aid programs. The ORSAA is for undocumented Oregon students, including students who have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. No fee is charged to complete the ORSAA application.

Note: Do not complete the ORSAA if you are a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident with an Alien Registration number, as you will already be considered for Oregon-based financial aid through FAFSA.

After CCC receives the FAFSA or ORSAA data electronically, our financial aid staff will send you an email and post notifications in your myClackamas account (under Self Service - Financial Aid). You must check your account frequently during this process to ensure you have submitted all documents needed to process your financial aid request. Failure to do so could mean you don’t have your aid when school begins.

Be sure to pay attention to the financial aid recommended deadlines as the process from application to award letter can take some time.

Student Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for Federal financial aid if you:

  • Are an admitted and enrolled student, whether full or part time;
  • Are enrolled in an eligible program at least one year in length that leads to a degree or certificate;
  • Have registered with the Selective Service (if required to do so);
  • Have a high school diploma or GED; are not attending an elementary or secondary school;
  • Are a United States citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
  • Are not in default of any federal loan program; and
  • Do not owe a repayment on any federal grant program

For the Federal Direct Loan program, you must be enrolled at least half time (six credits).

For a Pell Grant, you must be an admitted, degree or certificate-seeking student enrolled in one or more credits.

For the Oregon Opportunity Grant, you must be a resident of Oregon for a year prior to the start of school and enrolled at least half time (six credits).

Program Eligibility Requirements

Eligible programs need to be at least one year in length (some exceptions apply) and must lead to a degree or certificate.

Academic Standards and Eligibility

To receive financial aid, you must fulfill the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Information regarding SAP requirements are available online at www.clackamas.edu/admissions-financial-aid

Financial Aid Disbursement Policy

Financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account at CCC to pay tuition, fees, and institutional charges, beginning the week following the census date. The census date is the first business day after the add/drop period. Enrollment is locked on the census date for financial aid purposes, and funding amounts are adjusted to pay for all degree-applicable courses on that date. Courses added after the census date will not be funded by financial aid, and students are liable for the charges. Financial aid is disbursed weekly throughout each term for aid not ready at the census date. If financial aid amounts disbursed exceed the balance due on the student’s account at CCC, a credit balance refund will be sent to the student for the excess financial aid. Refunds are mailed to students or direct deposited to the student’s bank account the last business day of the week in which disbursements are made. Funds are not available prior to this day.

Federal Pell Grants

You may be eligible for up to $7,395 a year in 2023-24, depending on the amount of federal funding available and limits set by the Department of Education (this is current as of this publishing). Awards are based on eligibility and enrollment status.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants

You may be eligible for up to $1,000 a year. Part-time students (taking 6-11 credits a term) will receive smaller grants.

Oregon Opportunity Grants

You must be enrolled for six or more credits to be eligible for Oregon Opportunity Grants.

Oregon Promise Grants

The state of Oregon offers the Oregon Promise grant to incoming students who successfully complete the GED or earn their high school diploma shortly before enrolling in an Oregon community college. For more information or to apply, visit oregonstudentaid.gov.

Federal Work-Study

You may be eligible to receive an award to fund a paid part-time job through the college with a minimum of half-time enrollment (six or more credits). Jobs are available both on campus and in the community.

Federal Direct Loans

Most students are eligible for Federal Direct Loan funds. The Federal Direct Loan is a federally guaranteed loan. First-year students (less than 45 credits completed) are eligible to borrow subsidized amounts up to $3,500, and second-year students may borrow up to $4,500 (actual amount is dependent on student budget criteria). The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provides information on unsubsidized Direct loans.

Federal Parent Plus Loans

Your parent may be eligible to apply for a parent PLUS loan if your financial aid package is insufficient to cover the cost of attendance. Parent PLUS loans are loans borrowed and repaid by the parent of a dependent student and require a successful credit check. For more information or to apply for a parent PLUS loan, visit www.studentloans.gov.

Scholarships

503-594-6082
scholarships@clackamas.edu

Clackamas Community College offers various scholarship opportunities for students of all majors. For a complete list, visit www.clackamas.edu/scholarships. The following are a few types of scholarships we offer:

High School Scholarships

Every year the CCC Foundation offers an Academic Incentive Scholarship, Opportunity Scholarship and an Honors Scholarship through each public high school in our district. Information about these scholarships is available at your local high school counseling or career center. Apply online Jan. 30 – April 14 at www.clackamas.edu/scholarships.

In-district high school students who compete in the annual Clackamas Regional Skills contest are eligible for CCC waivers. Partial, one-term tuition waivers are awarded to the top three winners in all categories of the competition. For more information, contact High School Connections at 503-594-3161 or hsconnections@clackamas.edu.

Special Tuition Scholarships

If you have special skills or plan to participate in extracurricular activities like art, athletics, speech, journalism, student government, music, theater, etc., you may be eligible for a tuition waiver. Contact the appropriate college department to find out how to apply.

General Student Scholarships

The CCC Foundation funds more than $500,000 in scholarships for new and returning students. The application is available at www.clackamas.edu/scholarships and is open Jan. 30 through October annually. There are two deadlines; April 12 and Nov. 1. All scholarship applications completed by the deadline move on to the reading and scoring committee

Private Scholarships

A variety of sources offer private scholarships. These scholarships are listed at www.clackamas.edu/scholarships.

Veterans Benefits

CCC Oregon City Campus
Wacheno Welcome Center
503-594-3438
vetinfo@clackamas.edu
www.clackamas.edu/veterans

Our team at the Veterans Education and Training (VET) Center is committed to helping you access all the resources needed to make your educational goals a reality. If you are currently serving in the military, have ever served, or are a military family member, contact us to learn more and determine your eligibility for veterans benefits.

We will:

  • Provide information about the many VA educational benefit programs and assistance with applying for these programs.
  • Assist you with other resources available to veterans and their military family members, including community and college resources.
  • Connect you with the many resources on campus and in the community to make your transition from military service to civilian life a success.
  • Provide assistance with other veteran-specific educational resources, including state assistance and tuition waivers for family members of fallen service members.
  • Help with active and reserve DOD military tuition assistance.

CCC’s VET Center can help you get started today—your success is our only goal!