Grants, loans and work-study: financial aid options

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on financial need and enrollment level. Award amounts vary yearly based on the Department of Education's guidelines. Maximum Pell Grant amount for 23/24 is $7,395. Students complete the FAFSA to apply for the Federal Pell Grant.

SEOG is awarded based on financial need with funds being prioritized to students receiving a Federal Pell Grant. Awards are allowed up to $4,000 annually, but most awards are typically around $1,000 at CCC based on funding allocated to the college by the US Department of Education.

The Oregon Opportunity Grant is awarded based on financial need and enrollment level. The student's completed FAFSA/ORSAA is used to determine eligibility for the Oregon Opportunity Grant; yearly award amounts are determined by the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC). To apply for the Oregon Opportunity grant, complete an OSAC application.

Oregon residents who are not US Citizens or Permanent Residents of the US may apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant by completing the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA).

The Oregon Promise Grant is awarded based on recent completion of a high school diploma or GED credential. Awards vary in amounts based on enrollment status and other financial aid received. Awards may be renewed from year to year until the student attempts 90 or more college credits. Awards are only available to be used at Oregon Community Colleges. Most applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for the Federal Pell Grant. Oregon residents who are not US Citizens or Permanent Residents of the US may also apply for the Oregon Promise Grant by completing the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). Separate application for the Oregon Promise Grant in addition to the FAFSA or ORSAA is required and available at Oregon Promise.

You may qualify for Oregon Promise if you:

• Graduate from an Oregon high school or complete the GED
• Have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher (high school students). Score 145 or higher on each of the 4 tests (GED)
• Have been an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in community college

Steps to take:

Apply for the Oregon Promise by the appropriate deadline according to your graduation date. Find your deadline using the Eligibility Checker.

• Complete the Oregon Promise application (online or written)
• Submit your high school transcript or GED scores
• Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA

Once approved, enroll in an Oregon community college within six months of graduating high school or completing the GED and accept all state and federal grants. For more information, visit Oregon Promise.

CCC's Workforce Development Services provides employment and training for Clackamas County businesses and job seekers. Our workforce advisors prepare job seekers for high-demand jobs and connect them to employers through career planning, training, and placement services. For more information visit Workforce Development Service.

Consortium agreements are contracts between two colleges that recognize your registration at each location for financial aid purposes. CCC participates in accepting consortium agreements with other institutions (both two-year and four-year). The following are steps that must be taken for the approval of a Consortium Agreement between the two participating schools. The Home school is the school from which you will be receiving your degree/certificate.

If Clackamas Community College is your Home school

• You must be registered for at least 6 credits at CCC to receive financial aid from CCC
• Complete a new FAFSA/ORSAA (if applicable) each year to re-apply for financial aid and add Clackamas Community College #004878 to the school section of the application.
• Complete the Consortium Agreement - CCC Home School form and take to the Host school.
• Attend a New Student Academic Advising Session and develop an Educational Plan.
• Check your myClackamas account regularly for financial aid communication.
• Provide all requested documentation to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in a timely manner.
• Review your Financial Aid Award Offer carefully.
• Register for classes (enroll for only 100- and 200-level classes at your Host school).
• Use your financial aid refund to pay tuition and fees at your Host school.
• Inform the CCC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships of any change in enrollment status both before and during the term. If you change your enrollment status after receipt of aid, it may affect your financial aid award and future eligibility.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at both schools. Financial aid for future terms will not be released without receipt of Home school prior term grades/transcripts.

If Clackamas Community College is your Host school

• Add your Home school to your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov
• Obtain a Consortium Agreement from the Home school, complete and bring to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at CCC
• Attend any required Academic Advising Sessions
• Check regularly for any financial aid communication
• Provide all requested documentation to the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner
• Sign and return your Financial Aid Award letter (if applicable)
• Submit any required forms for requested adjustments
• Use your financial aid refund to pay Clackamas Community College tuition and fees
• Inform the Financial Aid Office at your Home school of any changes in your registration at CCC
• Provide the Financial Aid Office at your Home school with a copy of your CCC grades/transcript
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at both schools. Financial aid for future terms will not be released without receipt of CCC school prior term grades/transcripts
• Complete a new FAFSA each year to re-apply for financial aid

Important: For each term you are co-enrolled, you are expected to complete the registration and grade/transcript process. It is your responsibility to complete all required paperwork and to provide it to the requesting Financial Aid Office in a timely manner.

What is Co-Enrollment/Dual enrollment/Degree Partnership/Co-admission/Concurrent Enrollment?

These terms are used to describe our partnerships with four Oregon Universities: Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State, Portland State and Western Oregon University. Each follows the same process which allows students to attend both institutions simultaneously. If your goal is a four-year degree, these partnerships can help you get there, saving time and money in the process. For more information, visit our Degree Partnerships page.

For more information on specific colleges, visit the links below:

• Oregon Institute of Technology: Dual Enrollment | FAQ
• Oregon State University: Degree Partnership Program | FAQ
• Portland State University: Co-Admission | FAQ
• Western Oregon University: Concurrent Enrollment

Direct Loans are offered based on information from the FAFSA, the cost of attendance and your other financial aid.

Two types of direct loans: subsidized and unsubsidized

To qualify for subsidized direct loans, you must demonstrate financial need. Subsidized direct loans do not accrue interest on the loan while you are enrolled in school at least half-time or during a six month grace period after you leave school. If you do not demonstrate financial need, or have already qualified for the maximum amount of subsidized direct loan, you may qualify for an unsubsidized direct loan. Unsubsidized direct loans begin accruing interest from the day the funds are disbursed to your student account.

Information about direct loan interest rates and loan fees can be found at Federal Student Aid Interest Rates and Fees.

Direct loans are borrowed money and must be repaid. You should carefully consider how much funding you need prior to accepting any student loan. Failure to repay a student loan will have negative consequences for your credit report and you may have your wages or tax refunds garnished or be taken to court to recover the funds you borrowed. There are multiple flexible repayment options for student loans. More options on repayment plans and calculators to help you estimate your payments can be found at Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator.

Prior to disbursing any direct student loans, the student borrower must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance loan counseling session online at Student Loans. Once a student borrower completes the program of study or drops below half-time enrollment, the student must complete exit loan counseling online at Student Loans.

• Students borrowing a direct loan for the first time cannot receive their loan funds until 30 days into the term.
• Students borrowing a loan for one-term only will receive half the loan as soon as the funds are available for disbursement during the term and the remainder once half the term has been completed.

Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students who need additional funding to cover educational costs after all other financial aid types have been offered.

Direct PLUS Loans are unsubsidized and interest begins to accrue as soon as the funds are disbursed to the student account. Information about Direct PLUS Loans interest rates and loan fees can be found at Student Aid Interest Rates and Fees.

Direct PLUS Loans require a credit check. Parents may apply for the Direct PLUS Loan at Student Loans. Information about repayment plans and calculators to help you estimate your payments can be found at Student Aid How to Repay Your Loans.

If a student needs additional financial aid to meet educational costs after all scholarships, grants, work and federal loans are awarded, a student may apply for a private student loan from a bank or credit union. CCC does not recommend or endorse any lender and encourages students to use private loans as a last resort and encourages students to carefully research lenders and the terms and conditions of any loan product prior to applying for a private student loan.

Clackamas Community College submits student and parent federal loan information to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This information will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system. You can find a detailed history of your federal loans on this site. For questions please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 503-594-6082 or finaid@clackamas.edu.

Loan Facts

Federal Direct Stafford Loans - a federal student loan, made through the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, for which eligible students borrow directly from the U. S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Direct Consolidation Loans are types of Direct Loans. For more information visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans 

Subsidized Loan

This loan is based on financial need for which the federal government pays the interest that accrues while the borrower is in school, grace or deferment status. Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, new borrowers will have a limit on the amount of subsidized loans.

Unsubsidized Loan

This is a loan where the borrower is fully responsible for the paying of the interest regardless of loan status. Interest accumulates from the date of disbursement.

Maximum Annual Limits for Loans

Year	Dependent	Independent
Freshman 1-44 credits at CCC	$5,500 No more than $3,500 of this may be in subsidized loans	$9,500 No more than $3,500 of this may be in subsidized loans
Sophomore 45+ credits at CCC	$6,500 No more than $4,500 of this may be in subsidized loans	$10,500 No more than $4,500 of this may be in subsidized loans

Maximum Undergraduate Aggregate Limits for Sub and Unsub Loans

Dependent	Independent
$23,000	$57,500

Entrance Counseling

Entrance counseling is required by the federal government for all first time loan borrowers at Clackamas Community College. The counseling is completed online and CCC will be notified electronically within in 24-48 hours. Once this has been completed it should be a satisfied requirement for subsequent academic years. Entrance Counseling will help borrowers to understand:

1. Their rights and responsibilities as a borrower
2. The terms of their loan
3. Repayment obligations and consequences of non-payment

Master Promissory Note (MPN)

The Master Promissory Note is also required by the federal government when a student chooses to borrow money. This is the official document that a borrower must sign as a promise to repay their loans. This is completed on line and CCC is notified electronically within 24-48 hours.

Exit Counseling

When a student graduates from CCC or is no longer enrolled at least half time (6 credits) exit counseling has to be completed. This is a federal requirement. Exit counseling is completed online. The exit counseling session will explain the borrower’s loan obligations and various pay back options that student borrower has. A student will be reminded via their student email and student requirements that they have to complete exit counseling. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure this is completed.

Other Resources

• Financial Literacy Guidance from Federal Student Aid