Campus Hours

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Key Dates and Deadlines in the Financial Aid Process

  Completing your application for financial aid by the deadline gives you the best chance to receive all the aid you are eligible for by the first week of class. Not all students will receive their checks on the disbursement date. Financial aid is usually disbursed the week before the quarter begins, except for summer quarter when the earliest disbursement allowed is the first Monday in July.

Due to the current changes happening with FAFSA, these dates are subject to change. LCC will do our best to keep dates updated and current for students with as much notice as possible. 

Quarter You
Want to Start
You Should
Apply Before
Financial Aid** App.
Priority Deadline
Tuition
Due Date
Quarter
Begins
Spring 2024 Feb 19, 2024 Feb 19, 2024 March 18, 2024 April 1, 2024
Summer 2024 May 20, 2024 May 20, 2024 June 17, 2024 July 1, 2024
Fall 2024 Aug 12, 2024 Aug 12, 2024 Sept 9, 2024 Sept 23, 2024
Winter 2025 Nov 25, 2024 Nov 25, 2024 Dec 16, 2024 Jan 6, 2025
Spring 2025 Feb 24, 2025 Feb 24, 2025 March 24, 2025 April 7, 2025

For additional academic deadlines, please view our academic calendar. General Financial Aid information and timelines can be found in the Financial Aid Process Outline.

The process of applying for financial aid takes at least 3 - 6 weeks to complete from the date of initial application, provided all paperwork (including the FAFSA, or WASFA) is submitted as requested by the Financial Aid Office. Completed applications are processed chronologically in order of date completed.

School Code: 003782

Our Mission

Working together with our campus, community, and educational partners, we will support students equitably to help them find resources to achieve their educational goals.

Our Vision

The LCC Financial Aid Office seeks to create a positive and supportive environment for students, the campus, and Southwest WA communities while fostering campus initiatives and growth.

 

How to Apply For Financial Aid


Applying for financial aid is easy! Just follow the steps below. All students are encouraged to apply, even if you don't think you will qualify for aid, or if you haven't qualified in the past. The eligibility requirements are updated yearly, and may qualify you unexpectedly. You never know until you apply!

Interested in learning more?

View our dedicated webpage intended to demystify the differences between types of aid, their pros and cons, and how to navigate the application process. We provide info about grants and scholarships, plus easy-to-understand details about loans and work-study.

Navigate Blue logo

Step 1: Apply for Admission to LCC

If you are an incoming student, make sure to apply for admission! If you don't, LCC will not receive your aid application, and you will not be able to receive your award letter.


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Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

Apply for Financial Aid

Your financial aid application depends on your citizenship and immigration status. Choose from the drop-downs below to fill out the correct aid application for your situation.

Note: Our office may take 3-6 weeks to process your application once it is submitted. Extended processing time may be needed during periods of high demand, or when our office requires further documentation. For this reason, it is important to submit your application as early as possible, particularly before the priority deadlines above.

 Apply for Scholarships


ctcLink logo

Step 3: Check your Tasks in ctcLink often

You will receive an email when LCC receives your federal or state aid application. From here, you should check the Tasks tile in ctcLink for any holds or other to do items related to your admission or aid. Our office may request further documentation before awarding your aid (see Student Financial Responsibilities). A common example is an IRS Verification Request.

Note: If additional documentation is required for your situation, our office may extend processing time up to 3-6 weeks after that documentation is submitted.


Financial aid icon

Step 4: Accept, Partially Accept, or Decline your Financial Aid Offer Letter

Once our Financial Aid office has processed your application, we will email your offer letter to your preferred email (this is set in ctcLink). You can view, accept, decline, and/or partially accept your offer letter in ctcLink.

Note: Grants are automatically accepted. If you want to decline a grant (perhaps because you have decided not to attend), please contact the Financial Aid office. To learn more about the various types of aid and their advantages and disadvantages, please Learn About Financial Aid.

Important notes for borrowers: If you intend to accept any loan, you must complete the requirements for accepting student loans first. Once students loans are accepted and the above steps are completed, the final review can begin through the Department of Education (DOE). Disbursement of loans can take 2-3 weeks after the steps are completed and everything is reviewed. Potential delays are possible. The DOE requires that all first time borrowers are subject to a 30-day delay on loan disbursements. All one quarter loans are also required by the DOE to be disbursed in two installments with the second installment at the mid-quarter point of the quarter.


Tuition icon

Step 5: Pay your Tuition on Time

Your accepted aid will automatically be applied towards your tuition, and any remainder will be disbursed to you via BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. quarterly. If your tuition is not fully funded by your aid, you will be responsible for paying the rest yourself by the tuition due date (above). If financial aid funds will not be processed by the tuition due date, you have the option to enroll in the payment plan and be reimbursed when your funds become available. 

Note: Students who have applied for financial aid and completed all requested documents can register and make arrangements to delay tuition payment until their award is processed using the Request for Hold to Prevent Drop for Nonpayment.

Additional Aid by Circumstance


Depending on your background or financial circumstances, you may qualify for more types of aid than those listed above.


Contact Financial Aid

Financial Aid staff are available online in Zoom, via phone or email.

 Financial Aid Office

  (360) 442-2390
Fax: (360) 442-2379
  financialaidoffice@lowercolumbia.edu

 Hours

Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm*

*Closed Fridays during summer session (July/Aug).

Computer access is available in the Admissions Center.

 FAFSA/ WASFA

Important! Make sure to select Lower Columbia College as a school that you want to receive a copy of your FAFSA or WASFA.

School Code: 003782