FAFSA & ORSAA Updates

The 2025-26 FAFSA and ORSAA are now open. APPLY NOW!

Who is my "parent" when I fill out the FAFSA?

For dependent students on the FAFSA, you will need to report information about your parents on the form. But what if your parents are divorced? Remarried? What if you live with someone other than my
parents? What if the person that you consider as your parent is not your biological parent? Whose information should you report?

Use these documents to help you determine which parent(s) to use.

How do my parents apply for an FSA ID without a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Updated May 2, 2024:

Contributors (parent(s), spouse) without a Social Security number (SSN) can now access and submit the 2024-25 FAFSA after creating an FSA ID according to the US Department of Education. Individuals who are eligible to participate on the FAFSA Form without an SSN must manually enter their tax and income information.

Users with an FSA ID will be able to access and submit a 2024-25 FAFSA immediately after creating an FSA ID even if their identify validation is not complete. Additionally, families who have been waiting for their identity to be verified can now access the FAFSA. Contributors will still need to go through the identification process, which will happen at the same time as they are completing the FAFSA. Individuals who are currently waiting for results from the Department do not need to resubmit any documentation to complete the identity validation process.

The Department is releasing a new tips document for students who have a contributor without an SSN to help ensure they can successfully navigate the form. Individuals may access the new tips document and sign up to receive updates from the Department on issues impacting students who have contributors without an SSN.

Our guidance to students and families has been to complete the FAFSA/ORSAA as soon as they are able. We understand that the rollout has been frustrating for many students and families.

When setting 2024-25 grant awarding parameters, we will work to avoid negatively impacting any specific student population or students who were not able to file due to reasons outside their control. However, some of our grants do award based on submission date. To ensure students are considered for the most financial aid and admission opportunities available to them, students should complete their FAFSA/ORSAA as soon as they are able and utilize the resources and workarounds that FSA has provided.

FSA links:

How can I get help from OSAC regarding FAFSA/ORSAA Changes?

There are many ways OSAC can support you during this new season for FAFSA/ORSAA applications:

If you are a counselor/staff member at a high school, college, or community-based organization and want OSAC to come talk with your staff or your students/families, submit an outreach request form. We offer both in-person and virtual outreach presentations. Our calendar is filling up fast, so request now!
Check out our recorded FAFSA/ORSAA webinars.
If you are a student or family member of a student who will submit a 2024-25 FAFSA, we recommend reviewing the resources (in the side bar) first before contacting OSAC. Email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov with any OSAC questions about the FAFSA.
If you are a student or contributor who will submit a 2024-25 ORSAA, please email ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov for assistance and questions.
Regardless of your role, follow OSAC on social media for updates and reminders:

When do students need to submit the FAFSA/ORSAA?

We advise students to submit their FAFSA/ORSAA each year as soon as possible after the application opens. The FAFSA/ORSAA deadline will vary. In additional to general application deadlines, scholarships, grants, and colleges may have their own FAFSA/ORSAA submission deadlines. Students should research deadlines for scholarships, grants, and colleges they are interested in attending.

How can I make a correction or add a college to my FAFSA/ORSAA?

FAFSA:

If you (or your contributor(s)) need to make corrections/updates to your FAFSA Form, log into your FSA ID and follow the steps listed on Federal Student Aid. Some of the tips listed include:

Add a college
Fix a mistake/typo
Complete consent and approval
Update "Direct Unsubsidized Loan Only" question
Complete a missing signature

If you need to update high school information and cannot find the section when logged in, navigate to the "Student financials" section, then click "Previous", and the high school information should appear.

If your situation (family/income) has changed since you submitted your FAFSA, contact your college financial aid office to determine if you should update your FAFSA form.

ORSAA:

If you need to make corrections/updates to your ORSAA Form, log into your ORSAA Student Account and follow the steps below:

Log into ORSAA account
Click "Documents"
Click ORSAA "Review and Update"
DOWNLOAD PDF FIRST
Then, click "start/edit" to edit your application. You will need to re-enter some financial information (use the PDF to assist you).
You must go through all pages by clicking "next"
You (and your parent, if applicable) must electronically sign at the end again.
Make sure your status says "SATISFIED" at the end.

If you have questions on your ORSAA application, please contact us at ORSAAHelp@hecc.oregon.gov.

Federal FAFSA FAQ on Data Security

FAFSA Changes

January 17, 2025, U.S. Department of Education FAQ for Students and Families on FAFSA Data Security and Utilization of Data
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation is being replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI) - the measure of the ability for a student to pay for college.
Federal Tax Information (FTI) directly linked to the FAFSA form.
Students can select up to 20 colleges.
Everyone must have an FSA ID in order to complete the FAFSA form (student, parent(s), and parent or student spouse, if applicable).
- Paper FAFSA/paper signatures are only available to incarcerated students and other extenuating circumstances.
Parents/Spouses will be known as “Contributors” on the FAFSA form. Contributors will need to consent to provide their financial information in order for the student to be considered for aid.