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Get help paying for your education

How To Apply For Financial Aid

A new application is required for each school year. Apply now.

Important Financial Aid Changes for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Disbursement Changes- Beginning Summer 2026, financial aid will be released starting the third week of the term. Disbursement dates for the 2026-2027 academic year are:

  • Summer 2026: July 7, 2026
  • Fall 2026: Oct. 12, 2026
  • Winter 2027: Jan. 19, 2027
  • Spring 2027: April 12, 2027

Bookstore Charges- Eligible students have the ability to charge at the Chemeketa bookstore starting one week before each term.

Federal Loan Changes- The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a federal law that includes several changes that will result in significant modifications to federal financial aid beginning with the 2026-27 academic year (effective July 1, 2026):

  • Starting in 2026–27, students enrolled less than full time who borrow federal loans will have their loan amounts prorated based on enrollment.
  • Schools must decrease loan amounts in proportion to the level at which a student is enrolled less than full time. This must be done at the time the student’s loan eligibility is determined.
  • Students must still be enrolled at least half time (6 credits or more) in order to be eligible to borrow federal student loans. 

Financial Aid Application Details

Because the financial aid process can take several months, you should apply as soon as you can. You will need to apply for financial aid each school year.

DACA students apply with the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) for each school year.  

Apply as soon as possible with the 2026-2027 FAFSA or ORSAA.


Step By Step Instructions

  • File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov
    • Chemeketa’s federal school code is 003218
    • If you or your parent(s) that are on your FAFSA filed taxes we recommend using the IRS data retrieval tool to link to the tax information
  • When we get your FAFSA information, we will send instructions to your Chemeketa account if there is anything else we will need to have sent to the financial aid office
    • For financial aid requirements, check your Chemeketa email or log in to your Chemeketa account -> Student Self-Service -> Financial Aid Dashboard

Review Process

When all the required items are complete and in our office, your file will move into the review process. This can take several weeks.

You can view what the financial aid office needs for your in your Chemeketa account.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require Chemeketa to establish a satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy to ensure all students receiving financial aid are making reasonable progress towards completing their degree.

You are notified of your SAP standing after SAP is calculated after the end of each term. This includes good standing, warning, denied, and probation. All communications are sent to your student Chemeketa email. 

Students who fail to make progress toward the completion of their program will not be able to receive financial aid. If you fail to meet SAP requirements due to extenuating circumstances, you may appeal. 

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as:

  • Passing a required number of hours (Pace)
  • Achieving a required grade point average (GPA)
  • During a reasonable period of time (Maximum Time Frame)

Pace

Pace is the rate at which you complete your program. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of credit hours completed by the cumulative number of credit hours attempted. In order to graduate within the maximum time frame allowed, you must maintain a pace equal to 66.67% of your cumulative hours attempted. Only courses for which you received credit count towards completed hours. Passing grades are A, B, C, D, and P (pass).

Example: if you have attempted 15 credit hours and have received credit for nine hours, your pace would be 60% and would not meet the minimum requirement.

Overall GPA

You must have an overall (cumulative) GPA of 2.00 at the end of each term. 

Maximum Time Frame

You may not exceed 150% of the published credit hours it takes to complete your degree and remain eligible for financial aid. Students who can no longer complete their academic program within the maximum time frame are not eligible for aid. The maximum time frame goes into effect at the point when it becomes mathematically impossible to successfully complete your degree before reaching 150% of credits. This often occurs before you actually reach the maximum time frame. 

Example, an Associate of Art Oregon Transfer degree requires 90 credit hours to complete, which means you would have a total of 135 credit hours to complete your degree. If you have attempted 125 credit hours at the beginning of the term and have enrolled in your final nine hours to complete your degree, you would be eligible for aid as you will not exceed 150% of the published length of the program.

To determine the credit hours required for a specific program of study, refer to the Programs of Study in the college catalog. The maximum time frame is not increased for changes in major, double majors, second degrees, or adding a certificate in another subject area. Students who have completed all the courses required for their degree or certificate but have not yet received the degree or certificate are no longer eligible for financial aid for the degree or certificate. Repeated coursework and preparatory/prerequisite coursework are included.

Your academic records are reviewed at the end of each term in which you are enrolled to determine compliance. Federal regulations require that your entire academic history be considered, even if you have never received financial aid. State and non-federal programs and scholarships may have different standards for evaluating satisfactory academic progress.

Contact Us

We're here to help you navigate the financial aid process. We appreciate your patience, as we experience a high volume of calls, emails, and visits at the start of each term.

When emailing, please email us from your Chemeketa email account and include your student ID number (K number) so we can easily look up your information and assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll find answers to most of your questions here.

Eligibility and Applying

  • What types of financial aid are available?

    Financial aid includes direct loans, federal and state grants and federal work-study.  

  • How do know if I’m eligible to apply for financial aid (FAFSA)?

    Regular students, both US citizens and eligible non-citizens can qualify for financial aid. The application will notify you if you don't meet the basic criteria to apply. The FAFSA is just the first step in the process to find out if you are eligible to receive financial aid at Chemeketa. 

  • When should I file the FAFSA?

    Apply as early as possible with a new FAFSA for each school year. October 1 is always the first day to file for the next school year. The entire process can take several months depending on the time of year. Apply by our recommended application deadline to make sure you have enough time to complete the process before the term you want to attend.  

  • Should I apply for admission or financial aid first?

    You can do this in either order but you must be admitted to a financial aid eligible program to receive financial aid. After completing the FAFSA you need to have access to your Chemeketa account and Chemeketa email to complete the next steps in the process.  

  • Do income tax returns need to be completed before filing the FAFSA?

    If you are filing your tax return late it is okay to estimate tax figures on your application. The FAFSA uses prior prior tax year information so most applicants will have already filed their tax return before the the first day to submit the FAFSA. If you are not otherwise required to file a tax return, you do not need to file a return to be able to submit the FAFSA.  

  • I support myself. Do my parents still have to file the FAFSA?

    If you answer no to all questions on the Dependency Determination section of the FAFSA, you must include parent information. If your parents do not provide their information on your application, you cannot be considered for aid. If you have special circumstances and can provide documentation that something occurred that severed the relationship with your parent(s), and you can provide documentation that you have no contact with your parent(s), contact the Financial Aid Office.

  • My parents are divorced. Whose information should I provide?

    Provide the information of the parent you lived with most over the last 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, provide information about the parent who provided most of your financial support during the last 12 months. If your parent is remarried, you will need to include the income tax information of your step parent, as well.

  • One or both of my parents do not have a social security number. Am I still eligible?

    As long as you, the applicant, meet the federal student aid eligibility requirements, you can apply.

  • How do I receive Federal Work-Study (FWS)?

    You must first submit a FAFSA and specify that you are interested in Federal Work-Study. Federal Work-Study is awarded based on need and availability of funds. Chemeketa will determine whether you qualify and send you instructions for the process if you are awarded. 

  • What are the estimated costs to attend Chemeketa?

    Listed below are the estimated costs you may incur for attending Chemeketa full-time (12 or more credits) for one term during the 2025-26 school year. Financial aid is available for part-time study and the costs listed below will be appropriately prorated. See Tuition and Fees for current costs.

    What are the estimated costs to attend Chemeketa?
    Expense  Living Off-Campus Living With Parents
    Tuition & Fees $1,752 $1,752
    Books & Supplies $400 $400
    Housing & Food $7,060 $2,356
    Transportation & Personal $1,252 $1,252
    Loan fees (if borrowing) $22 $22
    Total $10,486 $5,282

     

  • Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?

    Yes, a new FAFSA is required for each year you are in college. It is best to apply as early as possible for each school year. October 1 is currently the first day to apply for each school year.

Status and Maintenance

Offer, Payment and Disbursement

  • How do I receive my financial aid offer?

    Once you have completed the FAFSA and any outstanding requirements shown in Chemeketa account, the Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility for financial aid. We will issue a Financial Aid Offer in your Chemeketa account and email you a notification to your Chemeketa email account when your financial aid offer is ready.  Typically, financial aid offers start arriving in Chemeketa email inboxes in late spring.

  • What is my next step if I accept student loans?

    If your financial aid offer includes Federal Direct Student Loans which you have accepted, use our Federal Direct Student Loan Instructions to help you plan for the next steps and learn important information about your student loans.

  • How does Federal Work-Study work?

    If your financial aid offer included Federal Work-Study, please read our Federal Work-Study Information Sheet for more information on how the program works.

  • How do I know if I have enough aid to cover my bill?

    Log into your Chemeketa account and calculate the difference between your total account balance and financial aid offer. To see your account balance: Student Self-Service tile -> Pay Your Account. To see your financial aid offer: Student Self-Service tile -> Financial Aid Dashboard. Your offer is the sum of your accepted grants, scholarships, and loans. 

  • What if I don’t have sufficient money to cover my bill?
    • No Financial Aid: You will need to pay your bill
    • Not Enough Financial Aid: It's best to wait until your financial aid is disbursed to your account before paying the remaining balance using the options mentioned above
  • I received a bill, but will use financial aid to pay it. Do I need to pay now out of pocket or drop my classes?

    You don’t need to pay out of pocket, sign up for a payment plan, or drop your classes. As a financial aid applicant, you will not be charged any late fees and can wait for your financial aid to be applied to your student account to pay your bill during the third week of the term.

  • How can I purchase my textbooks and required supplies if I don’t have financial aid by the start of the term or I am not eligible?

    Chemeketa offers low-cost and free options to help you secure your textbooks, calculators, and other class supplies:

    • Digital Materials: If your classes use digital materials (eBooks, courseware, and access codes), they will be available in Canvas before the term begins. The Chemeketa Bookstore will email a complete list of your digital textbooks and access instructions directly to your Chemeketa email the Thursday before the term begins
    • Bookstore Charging: Inquire about charging textbooks or required supplies directly to your student account at the Chemeketa Bookstore. To be eligible, you must have been awarded and accepted your financial aid offer. Student Financial Aid funds are accepted for in-store purchases only. Contact the Chemeketa Bookstore if you have quesiotns
    • No-Cost Options: You may also borrow textbooks and technology at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last
  • When does Chemeketa charge late fees?

    If you filed a 2026–2027 FAFSA or ORSAA, you will not be charged a late fee. If you did not file a FAFSA or ORSAA, you must pay your bill or set up a payment plan by to avoid a late fee.

  • How do I access my financial aid funding?

    Disbursement is the process where your financial aid is used to pay your tuition and fees. Any excess financial aid will be refunded to you to use for your other educational expenses after your tuition and fees are paid.  Read the Disbursement Information Sheet to learn more tips and information about the timing of financial aid disbursement.

  • How do I receive my financial aid money? Do I keep the leftover money after tuition and fees are paid?
    • Automatic Payment: Once your financial aid is disbursed, it pays your fall term Chemeketa bill first
    • Leftover Money: Business Services will issue you a refund if your financial aid exceeds your bill. You can use this for housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and other personal or living expenses
    • Delivery Method: Refunds are mailed directly to your home address on file unless you set up direct deposit. If you’ve moved, be sure to update your mailing address
    • Timeline: Aid is typically disbursed during the third week of the term. For example, if your aid is ready to disburse on Monday, October 12, you can expect your refund check or direct deposit by Friday, October 16.
    • Sign up for Direct Deposit: You must be listed on the bank account to use this option, as funds cannot be deposited into an account where you are not listed. To sign up: Log in to your account -> Student Self-Service tile -> Direct Deposit Information
  • When do I receive my scholarships and/or loans?

    Financial aid disbursement begins during the third week of the term for most aid:

    • Included Aid: Grants, scholarships, and most student loans.
    • Exceptions:
      • First-time loan borrowers are subject to the standard 30-day delay.
      • Chemeketa Scholars awards disburse before the start of the term, provided you register for classes before the first day. Questions? Email Chemeketa Scholars.

Summer Term Financial Aid

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