What is financial aid?

Financial aid is money to help pay for school. It comes in the form of grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and federal loans. You can obtain financial aid from many sources, including federal and state governments, private organizations, and OSU-Cascades.  

Grants are often called “gift aid” because it does not need to be repaid unless, for example, you withdraw from school before finishing a term.

Scholarships are money awarded to you based on academic or other achievements and do not have to be repaid as long as the scholarship requirements, if any, are met each term and/or academic year.

Work-Study is a federal student aid program that allows you to earn money while you are enrolled in school. Earned work-study funds do not need to be repaid.

Federal loans are borrowed money and must be repaid with interest.

U.S. Supreme Court Admissions Rulings

To receive any financial aid, you must:

1. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). Not sure which form you should fill out? Determine that here.
   • The application is available for submission beginning October 1 each year (December for 2025-2026).
   • OSU's priority deadline for FAFSA/ORSAA is February 28. File FAFSA/ORSAA each year until you graduate.
   • OSU-Cascades school code is 003210.
2. After your FAFSA/ORSAA has been received, you may be asked to submit additional information. Check your OSU email regularly and your financial aid file through Beaver Hub to view the status of financial aid file. Your financial aid file is on the Finances tab.
3. When all requirements have been met, you will receive an email notification to your OSU email that your award offer is ready. Check your OSU email regularly.