Frequently Asked Questions - Financial Aid

It is suggested that you either call or come to the Financial Aid Office between noon and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with any questions you may have.  Our front desk staff are able to answer most questions and, if needed, they will make an appointment for you with the appropriate person.  Note that open times are subject to change and the entire college is closed on Fridays during the summer.

Be sure to also reference our CCC financial aid pages for detailed information on the entire financial aid process and remember to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible.

In general, there would be no difference to courses or financial aid for a student from out of state than for a student in state.  If this question refers to educational costs, see our Tuition and Fees page.  If this question refers to online classes, see our Online Education page.

The 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines a student's eligibility for an academic year.  Clatsop operates on a quarter calendar with the academic year beginning summer term.  The 2012-13 academic year includes summer, fall, winter and spring terms.  Summer is a shorter, condensed term of 8 weeks in length and a student may receive a Pell grant during summer if they are determined by the FAFSA to be eligible.  However, that is the only funding available during summer term.

Yes, any aid received during the summer does effect the rest of that academic year.  A student can receive up to the equivalent of 3 full time terms of aid in an academic year.  Since summer term is the first term in the academic year at CCC, students should carefully plan their summer enrollment with their enrollment plans for the rest of the year to be sure that their aid eligibility matches their planned enrollment.  Refer to our Summer Term Students web page for more detailed information and a chart reflecting how summer enrollment effects the rest of the academic year.

Once you complete your taxes, you will need to go back to your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov and complete the IRS Data Retrieval link process.  This will automatically allow you to use your correct tax information to populate the the tax items on your FAFSA.  

The CCC Financial Aid Office is just beginning to work on the 2012-2013 financial aid year so this has not affected your award status at this point.  Students will begin receiving further information and correspondence for the 2012-2013 year very soon.   In the meantime, you will want to complete your taxes and update your FAFSA as soon as you are able since that information will be needed before an Award Letter would be issued later in the year.

Clatsop Community College's school code is 003189.

CCC Financial aid will communicate with you via the email address you listed on your FAFSA.  You will be sent email from MyFinAidteam@clatsopcc.edu with "Financial Aid Mail" in the subject line telling you to check your My CCC account to see current activity.  From your My CCC you can click on the Financial Aid Status to see if your FAFSA has been received, what else is needed to complete your application, and what has been awarded to date.  Emails are sent to notify you of requirements, needed documents, awards or changes to awards, etc.  Be sure to check your email frequently all year and that you add Clatsop CC to your email contacts.

So when your financial aid is in place, you will be sent an email telling you to view your "Award Letter" on your My CCC account.  Your Award Letter will list the amounts and types of aid you are offered by term and for the academic year.  

In order to maintain financial aid funding, students are required to follow Satisfactory Academic Progress.  You can find Clatsop CC's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy which also includes information on Reinstatement on our website under Award Information.  

Since Satisfactory Progress can be complicated, it is best that we not answer a general question like this without looking at your individual record. So in order to answer your question accurately, we suggest that you either come to the office in person or call our front desk at 503-338-2317 so that we can review your situation and give you the best information possible.  Financial Aid Office hours are noon to 5 Monday through Friday.

12 credits is considered full time for financial aid eligibility.  Students wishing to complete an associate's degree in two years will need to complete at least 15 credits per term. 

Check out our financial aid pages on this website for more information on all aspects of financial aid.  There you will also find a link to a great tutorial that is designed to help students through the FAFSA in clear and easy to understand steps.  Another great website is www.studentaid.gov  which also covers all aspects of financial aid and has a Spanish version.

Absolutely!  Clatsop scholarships and all necessary information to apply are on our Scholarship Information page.  Clatsop scholarships have an open period during April of every year and are awarded for the following academic year.  Go online for the deadline dates so you don't miss out!  You can also search on a national level through websites such as www.fastweb.com  and www.studentaid.gov  for other scholarships and deadline dates.

YES!  Financial aid is intended both to remove financial barriers for families who cannot afford the cost of an education beyond high school and to fill in the gap for families who can afford only part of the cost.  Some loans and scholarships are available regardless of "financial need".  It is always in your best interest to apply and find out your eligibility yourself.

No!  You may apply for financial aid at any number of schools, but you cannot be paid from more than one school during the same term(s).

Include only information about your own last year's income, current family size and assets, etc.

Answer "Yes" only if you are married "as of the day" you sign your FAFSA.  Otherwise answer "No".  The FAFSA is a snapshot of your status as of the day it is signed and marital status cannot be changed within an award year.

The parent(s) you lived with most during the last 12 months.  If you did not live with either parent, or it you lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent who provided the most support to you during the last 12 months or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent.  If this parent is remarried as of the day you file your FAFSA, answer questions including your parent and your stepparent information.

Parental information is used because the U.S. Congress has stated that families have the primary responsibility of funding a college education.  Parent information is necessary if you are determined to be "dependent".  The questions asked in Step Three of the FAFSA determine if you are considered "dependent" or "independent" for financial aid purposes -regardless of where you live.

No, most federal programs are available for less than full time enrollment.  However, the only funding available if you are enrolled less than half-time (1-5 credits) is Pell grant and that is only if you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Each school has an established Cost of Attendance (COA) that includes a listing of tuition and fees, a standard cost allowance for room and board, books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses depending on your enrollment status and terms of enrollment.  Your CCC COA will be printed on your Award Letter. 

After your completed application is received by the Department of Education's processing system, you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR).  The SAR outlines the information you provided on the FAFSA and your SAR will report your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  This EFC is the number used in determining your eligibility for federal student aid.

The EFC results will be sent to you and the schools that you list on your FAFSA.  Your FAFSA will be reviewed and all future correspondence from the college will be sent via email from the Financial Aid Office.  Follow all instructions in emails requesting other needed information or documents to complete your application.  It is important to respond promptly!

When all documents have been submitted, reviewed, processed and it is determined that you are officially admitted, you will receive an email and be prompted to read and accept the Conditions of Accepting Financial Aid before viewing your Financial Aid Award Letter indicating the aid you are eligible to receive.  This whole process can take 8+ weeks.  You will also be referred to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines with important information about policies and procedures required to receive and maintain your financial aid at CCC.

You may estimate to the best of your abilities using W-2 forms, year-to-date payroll records, untaxed income statements, and any other income/asset records if applying before you have filed taxes.  You will then need to make any corrections to your application after your taxes are filed.

YES!  The Financial Aid Office requires all official transcripts to be submitted.  Students can receive funding up to 150% of the credits required for their CCC certificate or degree program.  This credit count includes all credits transferred in from other institutions and all credits attempted at Clatsop.  A student with over 135 attempted credits is not eligible for financial aid at Clatsop.  However, there is a petition process if a student feels they have mitigating circumstances they would like to be reviewed.

YES!  You must be formally admitted to Clatsop Community College before your financial aid application is considered complete and an award can be offered.  To be considered officially admitted you will need to complete the Admissions Application, Compass test, pay any applicable fees and submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.  Access Admissions information online at Getting Started .

Apply every year as soon as you can AFTER January 1.  Your financial situation must be reassessed each year.  It is important to apply early!

You apply online at www.fafsa.gov by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  After your FAFSA is received, all correspondence will be via email and your MY CCC account.  Be sure to check your email frequently and respond promptly to all request for information and documents.  The processing of your financial aid application will not be continued until all requested items are submitted.

Financial aid is money provided to help bridge the gap between your own resources and the amount needed to pay for the cost of attending college.  The primary responsibility for meeting the cost of a college education rests with the student and family to the extent they are able to pay.  A formula that was established by the U.S. Congress takes into account your family's income and assets to determined this ability.  Financial aid includes grants, work-study and student loans.

The Financial Aid Office is located in the Student Services Center at 1651 Lexington Avenue in Astoria.