Graduate Students

Graduate students typically pay for their education through a combination of loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and employment through their institution.

There are some departments that are able to fund students through various grants and scholarships. You can learn more by visiting your academic department’s website.

To receive federal student aid, you must:

1. Apply for admission to OSU-Cascades graduate program.
2. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   • The application is available for submission beginning October 1 each year (available in December for 2025-2026 FAFSA).
   • OSU's priority deadline for FAFSA is February 28. File FAFSA each year until you graduate.
   • OSU-Cascades our school code is 003210.
3. After you are admitted to OSU-Cascades, you can check the status of your financial aid file through Beaver Hub. 
4. Once your award offer is ready, you will receive an email notification to your OSU email that will link you to your Financial Aid Self-Service Portal. Check your email regularly!

Ford Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• If you are eligible, the FAFSA will result in an offer for a unsubsidized Ford Direct loan for up to $20,500 per year.
• The interest rate and origination fee for the Federal Direct unsubsidized loan can be found on the FSA website.  
• You must complete the Entrance Counseling session and sign Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• Graduate students are not eligible for federal Pell grants or federal subsidized Ford Direct loans.

Grad PLUS

If additional funding is needed, you may apply for the Graduate PLUS loan starting May 1 of the year you will start attendance.

• The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan borrowed by graduate students to assist with educational expenses.
• You may to borrow up to your remaining cost of attendance after all other aid.
• The loan does not have an aggregate limit.
• The loan is unsubsidized meaning you are responsible for paying the interest during times of deferment.
• The interest rates and origination fees on the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan vary by year and can be found on the FSA website.
• You must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application, Entrance Counseling, and Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at StudentAid.gov.
• The credit check, run as part of the application, is only valid for 180 days. Do not complete the application before May of the year you will start attendance.
• For applicants who have been determined to have an adverse credit history, but qualify for a Graduate PLUS loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or obtaining an endorser must complete a new Master Promissory Note and PLUS Counseling online at StudentAid.gov.

Enrollment Requirement for Federal Loans

To receive federal loans, a graduate student must be enrolled at least half-time (5-8 credits each term). Aid is packaged based on the expectation of full-time enrollment. To avoid disbursement delays, you must submit an enrollment revision form to let us know if you plan to be less than full-time for the year. If our office has not been notified of your enrollment plans, your aid will be adjusted and disbursed after that term's Financial Aid Census Date.