FAFSA/ORSAA Information

Create an FSA ID. Each student and parent (for dependent students) must create a Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) to securely log in and sign the FAFSA online. There is a 1-3 delay between completing your FSA ID setup and being able to utilize it for the FAFSA Form. Please ensure you create your FSA ID before you plan to complete the FAFSA. 

Watch for emails from the US Department of Education. Once your FAFSA form is submitted and processed (usually 3-5 days), you can log into your StudentAid.gov account to view your FAFSA Submission Summary. It includes your estimated eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant and federal student loans, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and whether you’ve been selected for verification.

Fix FAFSA errors right away. If the FAFSA Submission Summary shows errors or any FAFSA information that needs to be corrected, resolve those errors right away. The most common errors are missing signatures/consent and conflicts between a student's name and social security number. Students with FAFSA errors are typically not considered eligible for financial aid until errors have been resolved. You can get help from your college’s financial aid office. Learn more about fixing FAFSA errors and walkthroughs for common issues from Federal Student Aid.

Use FAFSA resources when you have questions.

• Need help determining which parent to list on your FAFSA? There is a new tool to help students figure out which parent to list on FAFSA: Who Is My Parent?
• Use the FAFSA Help Center to find answers to frequently asked questions and contact their team with specific questions.
• The FAFSA Help Center YouTube channel also has videos to help you through the filing process.
• Curious about how much federal aid you might be eligible for? Check out the new 2025-26 Federal Aid Estimator while waiting for the 2025-26 FAFSA to launch. The Aid Estimator is not the FAFSA Form.
• Another resource is to reach out to your college's financial aid office for assistance.

Submit the ORSAA if you are: 

• An undocumented Oregon student
• If you have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or a valid U-visa

Do NOT complete the ORSAA if you are (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a legal noncitizen with an Alien Registration number, or (3) an international student who is in the United States with a valid visa. You are not eligible to receive Oregon Opportunity Grants or Oregon Promise grants if you are an international student attending school in Oregon under one of the following visas: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, TN, TD, V, TROV, or NATO.

• ORSAA Tip Sheets (English) (Español). This PDF will guide you through the ORSAA process and outline how to apply for other financial aid in Oregon.
• Guide to the ORSAA (English). This guide breaks down the application sections and purpose.
• 5 Tips for Completing the ORSAA (English  (Español). A video of tips for students and families as they start the ORSAA. A full playlist of videos for ORSAA filers is available here.
• ORSAA Demonstration Video (English) (Español). A walkthrough of the application from OSAC staff.
• Add ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov to your email contacts so that important messages do not go to your spam/junk folder.

If you have ORSAA-related questions, contact ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov or (800) 452-8807 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30 PT).

• Information for students and families on Financial Aid for Undocumented and DACA Students.
• Memo for education personnel on the State Financial Aid Application for Oregon Undocumented Students.

The ORSAA is an Oregon developed application for students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA. It is a confidential application that is used solely by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to qualify students for financial aid in Oregon. It is not used for federal financial aid purposes. Information that is shared with the HECC via the ORSAA is used only by the HECC and partner colleges, universities, and foundations in order to administer grants and scholarships. The HECC does not share data with any other agency, state or federal. The HECC will do everything within its authority and jurisdiction to protect the ongoing confidentiality of the ORSAA information.