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.
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.
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 Federal Financial Aid using the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. Filling out the FAFSA provides the government and your potential college(s) with a snapshot of your family's financial situation, allowing them to calculate how much financial assistance you qualify for. Students should complete the FAFSA each year they intend to receive aid. Complete the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize your aid, and ensure you receive it in time to pay your tuition. Learn more about the application process on the Federal Student Aid website.
Important! Make sure to select Lower Columbia College as a school that you want to receive a copy of your FAFSA!
School Code: 003782
If you are ineligible for Federal Financial Aid due to immigration status, you can instead apply for aid through Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The WASFA allows undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, to apply for state financial aid for college or vocational education in Washington. The WASFA can also be used in limited circumstances by other select applicants who cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA.
Important! Make sure to select Lower Columbia College as a school that you want to receive a copy of your WASFA!
School Code: 003782
Apply for Scholarships
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.
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.
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. If you are eligible to complete this form, the Registration Department will email it to you a few weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter.