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FAFSA ORSAA

WHAT IS FAFSA? 

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application is required in order to receive any financial aid and assistance from the government (federal and/or state) to help pay for college.

Types of Financial Aid that Require FAFSA:

  • Federal Student Aid- Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and other federal grants and student loans
  • State Student Aid - Oregon Opportunity Grant and other state-funded grants
  • Oregon Promise Grant- For students attending Oregon community colleges
  • Many colleges require the FAFSA for scholarships.
  • The OSAC scholarship application
  • The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship application
  • The North Medford Foundation Scholarship application

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

  • The FAFSA opens October 1st of every year for the following school year
    • It’s important to apply on or after October 1st. Starting the application any sooner will file your FAFSA for the incorrect school year.
    • You do not have to pay for FAFSA. If you are working on a site that asks for payment, do not proceed! It is not a legitimate FAFSA site.
    • You file for the year you will be in college.  Example: Class of 2025 will file the 2025-2026 FAFSA application.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA:

Here is a handy Checklist from UAspire

Gathering this information in advance can help the process:

  • Your FSA ID number- This needs to be completed 3-5 days before you begin your FAFSA application.
  • Your Parent’s FSA ID number
    • if parents filed taxes jointly, only one parent needs an FSA ID. If your parent has one from a sibling, they can use the FSA ID they have.
    • If parents are married and filed taxes separately, Both parents need an FSA ID. 
  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your parents’ Social Security Number
    • In very rare cases, you may file as an independent student. See staff in the Tornado Future Center at North Medford High School for information about how to do this.
  • Federal Tax Returns for you and your parents, including your W-2 information
    • If you are filing for the 2024-2025 school year, you will provide the 2022 tax information.
  • If you are not a US Citizen, your Alien Registration Number
  • If Student has a Social Security Number but Parent does not
    •  Parent will need to verify their identity.  Stop in the Tornado Future Center for a document that will help you with this process. 
  • Your driver’s license, if you have one.
  • If you have filed your 2023 tax return, will use the Direct Data Exchange  which will automatically upload your tax information from the IRS into your FAFSA.
  • If you did not file your tax return, you may complete the FAFSA using estimated tax information. You will be selected for verification and you will have to provide proof of what you have reported.
  • If you have untaxed income, you will need to provide that information as well, such as veterans non-educational benefits, child support, interest income, etc.
  • You will need to report any cash, savings, and checking account balances. Investments such as real estate must be reported. You do not have to report the home in which you live, that is your primary residence.  
  • If your financial circumstances have changed since 2022, you might be eligible to file a professional judgement with the college you choose to see if you qualify for financial aid. 

Apply Here: FAFSA Application

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

-Helpful Instructions can be found on the FAFSA Website


AFTER FILING: What’s Next?

Check out this video that breaks down what happens after you file your FAFSA

Once you have completed the FAFSA you will receive an email from the FAFSA with your SAI- Student Aid Index.  Keep an eye out for this email!  

The Student Aid Index (SAI) will let you know if you were selected for the verification process. If you are selected for verification, don’t panic! Approximately 30% of students who file are selected. It is important that you don’t ignore this step in the process, if selected. 

The Verification Process

Verify your information as soon as possible and follow the specific directions from your college. If you need a tax transcript you can order that here: Tax Transcript from the IRS. It is advantageous to complete the verification process as soon as you are able, as it has the potential to impact the financial aid offers from the colleges you are applying to. Make sure you save a copy of the verification, as you may need to send it to the schools you are applying to. 


UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS  

If you are not a U.S.. Citizen or do not have an Alien Registration Number, you cannot file the FAFSA. Instead, you may file the ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid Application). Like the FAFSA, the ORSAA opens on October 1st each yearUndocumented students should complete the ORSAA as soon as possible on or after October 1st, in order to access more financial aid opportunities.

Learn more about Financial Aid for Undocumented and DACA Students.

Tips to Complete the ORSAA

If you are a DACA student, you may want to complete the FAFSA in addition to the ORSAA. Contact the financial aid office at the colleges you are interested in to find out if you should complete both applications.

Do NOT complete the ORSAA if you are a U.S.. citizen, a legal noncitizen with an Alien Registration number, or 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.

BTP

Nathan Chin
Tornado Future Center Coordinator
541-842-5222
nathan.chin@medford.k12.or.us

Jess Driskell
TFC Office Assistant
Scholarship & ASPIRE Coordinator
541-842-1243
Jessica.driskell@medford.k12.or.us