Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) makes every effort to ensure that students with financial need have access to its programs and courses. If you have general questions, you may find the answers on the Financial Aid webpage. All students are encouraged to stop by to learn how we can assist them with their educational endeavors.
Apply for the FAFSA® or ORSAA each year. The federal school code for LBCC is 006938.
Student Eligibility Requirements
Who May Be Considered for Financial Aid?
To comply with general federal eligibility provisions at the College, students must:
- be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with appropriate documentation;
- have a high school diploma, a GED certificate, or complete a home school program at a secondary level;
- not be attended an elementary or secondary school;
- be enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree program at LBCC;
- maintain satisfactory academic progress;
- certify that they are not in default on a federal student loan and that they do not owe money on a federal student grant.
In order to receive aid, students must complete application materials (including FAFSA® or ORSAA) each year, be eligible according to applicable criteria, and be enrolled in and attend credit classes at the College.
Application Procedures
All students who receive federal and state aid at LBCC must be admitted to the college. Refer to the How to Get Started - Admission section of the catalog for information about seeking degrees or certificates.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at https://studentaid.gov or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) at https://oregonstudentaid.gov may be submitted as early as October 1st for the upcoming Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring award year. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because some funding is limited. Students apply on the web at studentaid.gov. A paper FAFSA® is available in a PDF at the same website.
The Financial Aid office can provide additional detailed information about various financial aid processing requirements and programs. For further information, students should:
- Go to the Financial Aid website;
- Find the Priority Deadline Dates and Disbursement Dates
- Email faoffice@linnbenton.edu;
- Check your WebRunner account;
- Find outstanding requirements, accept your award offer, and view other messages.
- Come to Takena Hall, Room 117;
- or call 541-917-4850.
Students should include their name and student identification number in all correspondence to the Financial Aid office.
Financial Aid Programs and Sources
What Types of Aid Are Available?
Financial aid is money awarded to students to help them pay for tuition, fees, books, housing and food, supplies, equipment, licensure fees and transportation while they are working on a certificate or degree. There are four types of financial aid programs available: scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. These funds come from various sources. Program details, including eligibility criteria and dollar amounts, may differ from the following descriptions if applicable laws or regulations governing such programs change after publication of this material.
I. Scholarships
To assist with tuition, books, and other needs, we have a number of scholarships available to both new and current students. Applying is easy! Our online application system allows you to be considered for close to 200 scholarships at once. Contact lbccscholarships@linnbenton.edu or visit the Scholarships webpage for more information.
Linn-Benton Community College Foundation Scholarships
Our scholarships come from donors who have chosen to give to LBCC to help students like you! Donors come from different backgrounds resulting in scholarships for various areas of study. Donors know the juggling act students at LBCC have with school, work, and family. They give to help support students often seeking to help hard working students with a compelling story for financial need. Merit and top grades are not as important to many donors as making your education a top priority and reaching your goals of a degree.
At the LBCC Foundation, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of financial circumstances. We serve as a bridge between aspiring students and their educational goals, providing critical support when it matters most. Through emergency assistance, scholarships, and program support, we help students overcome financial barriers and stay on their path toward success.
To apply for LBCC Foundation scholarships you will need to be currently admitted or enrolled at LBCC as a degree-seeking student with a 2.0 GPA. Some scholarships do require full-time enrollment (12 or more credits). Our scholarships are available for Degree Partnership Program students as long as they are enrolled for a minimum of six credits at LBCC. International students and students without a FAFSA can apply; however, some specific scholarships do require a FAFSA.
Our scholarship system will only allow for you to create an application during an active scholarship cycle. We have two cycles each year: one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall cycle opens on Welcome Day in September. The spring cycle opens during the third week of February. When applying, answer all the questions and take time to prepare the parts with statements.
Students awarded a scholarship are asked to write a thank-you letter addressed to the scholarship donor (the name of the scholarship) and submit it to the LBCC Foundation no later than three weeks into the term upon receiving an award.
Outside Scholarships
For a list of available scholarships and scholarship search engines, visit the LBCC Foundation webpage or contact the Financial Aid office. High school seniors are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities with the help of their high school counselors.
II. Grants
Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need. Grants do not have to be repaid and are another type of gift aid. Student financial aid offers include grant funds whenever student eligibility and funding levels permit. Funding for the grant programs administered at the College comes from the Department of Education and the state of Oregon.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant was established to provide financial aid for eligible undergraduate students with financial need. Eligibility for other federal aid is determined after the Pell Grant is taken into consideration. Grant awards in 2024-2025 ranged from $740 to $7,395 annually, depending on financial eligibility and enrollment intensity. Students with a prior bachelor's degree are not eligible. Students may apply for the Pell Grant by completing the FAFSA®.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG awards are federally funded. The College is responsible for selecting eligible students and determining the amount of the award. The FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need and gives priority to students who receive Pell Grants. Students must be at least half-time (6 or more credits) per term. Annual FSEOG awards were $1,500 in 2024-2025, depending on federal funding allocations. Students may apply for the FSEOG award by completing the FAFSA®.
Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)
The state of Oregon provides funds for this grant program. Eligibility is based on financial need as defined by the Oregon Student Access Commission using the FAFSA® or ORSAA information and is limited to 12 cumulative quarters. Students must have a minimum of one year of legal residency in Oregon and be enrolled in at least six credit hours each term. Students with a prior bachelor’s degree are not eligible. Students enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education are not eligible. Oregon Opportunity Grant awards are set by the state of Oregon. The Oregon Opportunity Grant is not available for Summer term. Annual OOG awards ranged between $1,182 - $4,272 for full time students for 2025-2026 (subject to change). Students may apply for the OOG by completing the FAFSA® or ORSAA.
Oregon Promise Grant
This award provides funding for students who graduated (or the equivalent) from an Oregon high school no more than six months prior to attending and pursuing a certificate or degree at one of Oregon’s 17 community colleges. The bill funds at a minimum of $2,058 for each full-time community college student awarded, and it is to be administered by the Office of Student Access and Completion under the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Annual Oregon Promise maximum awards for the 2024-2025 year were $4,422 (subject to change for 2025-2026). Students may apply for the Oregon Promise by completing the application at oregonstudentaid.gov and submitting the FAFSA® or ORSAA.
III. Loans
Note: Students are encouraged to borrow only the amount needed to cover essential educational responses. Loan entrance and exit counseling are required for student loan borrowers.
Federal Direct Loan Programs
To be eligible for a federal Direct Loan, students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and must not be in default on a prior loan or owe a grant repayment. All loans must be repaid. Students must sign a promissory note (a legal agreement to repay) with the Department of Education before any loan money can be disbursed. The promissory note contains detailed information about loan terms, responsibilities, and repayment. Because students must repay educational loans, this kind of assistance is generally referred to as self-help aid. Federal Direct loans are accessed through the normal financial aid process. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information.
Three specific types of Direct Loans are available:
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Program The Direct Subsidized Loan provides fixed interest (2024-2025 year at 6.53%) federal loans through the Department of Education. A loan origination fee of 1.057% is deducted at the time of disbursement. Maximum annual loan limits are based on financial need but cannot exceed $3,500 for freshmen and students in certificate programs and $4,500 for sophomores. Loan repayment begins six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Monthly payment amount and length of repayment depend on the cumulative amount borrowed but will be set up with an initial 10-year repayment.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program The Direct Unsubsidized Loan provides fixed interest (2024-2025 year at 6.53%) loans through the Department of Education. A loan origination fee of 1.057% is deducted at the time of disbursement. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to students who do not qualify for some or all of the need-based Direct Subsidized Loan. Dependent students as defined by the Department of Education are eligible to borrow up to $2,000 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans and independent students, up to an additional $6,000. Student borrowers will be responsible for payment of the interest that accrues on these loans while they are in school and during periods of deferment. Loan repayment begins six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Monthly payment amount and length of repayment depend on the cumulative amount borrowed, but will be set up with an initial 10-year repayment.
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan The Direct PLUS Loan is a non-need based loan to parents. Loans may range up to the published cost of attendance for the institution minus other student aid. A loan origination fee of 4.228% is deducted at the time of disbursement. The annual fixed interest rate for the 2024-2025 year was 9.08%. Parent borrowers will be evaluated for adverse credit history. For more information on the Direct PLUS Loan, visit studentaid.gov.
| Federal Direct Loan Academic Year Limit |
| Dependent Student |
Independent Student |
| Credits Completed |
Maximum Subsidized Loan |
Additional Unsubsidized Loan |
Maximum Total Loan |
Maximum Subsidized Loan |
Additional Unsubsidized Loan
|
Maximum Total Loan
|
| 0-44 |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
$5,500 |
$3,500 |
$6,000 |
$9,500 |
| 45+ |
$4,500 |
$2,000 |
$6,500 |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
$10,500 |
IV. Work-Study and Student Employment
Many students help finance their education by securing part-time employment either on or off campus. Since students work in order to receive funds from employment, this kind of assistance is considered a form of self-help aid.
The LBCC Student Employment office maintains a list of job opportunities for students seeking employment.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
This program provides employment opportunities to students who apply for financial aid and are eligible for the Federal Work-Study program. Availability is based on federal fund limits. In addition to providing income, students may acquire work experience in jobs related to their academic interests. Annual FWS awards were $4,800 in 2024-2025.
Students can apply for a Work-Study position after they receive a financial aid award offer. To get started, visit the LBCC Student Employment website and apply for a campus job. Students will not receive any Work-Study funds until they are actually hired and working in a Work-Study job. Due to the need to match job requirements with student skills, the College cannot guarantee employment to all eligible FWS recipients.
Work-Study jobs provide experience in a variety of fields including physical education, the sciences, health service, and office work. Community service jobs are also available.
Program Eligibility Requirements
A student must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program to receive Federal Student Aid funds. Eligible programs need to be at least one year in length (some exceptions apply) and must lead to the completion of a degree or certificate.
Accelerated Certificate Training Programs at LBCC
LBCC offers one short-term training program that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education, Phlebotomy. Students may be eligible to participate in the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), and Direct Loan programs. Annual grant and loan limits are prorated based on the length of the programs. The accelerated certificate training programs are not eligible for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise Grant, or Federal Work-Study.
Disbursement Policy
How Student Aid is Distributed
Financial Aid is based on Degree-Approved Courses you are registered for at midnight on the census date. The census date is the point at which enrollment is locked for financial aid purposes. Each term, a census is taken at the end of the last day a student can drop classes for a full refund. Our census date is the Monday of the second week of each term, unless Monday is a holiday and then the census date will move to the Tuesday of the second week of the term.
Aid is first applied to tuition, fees, and other authorized charges. Any remaining funds are then refunded to the student by the Business Office. Work-Study earnings are disbursed monthly through the College’s regular payroll process.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
To maintain eligibility for financial aid, a student must comply with Federal regulations 34 CFR 668.34, the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Failure to meet any of the standard requirements may result in the denial of federal financial aid at the College. A copy of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is available at the Financial Aid Office and on our Financial Aid webpage under Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Satisfactory academic progress is defined as passing 70% of the required number of hours (pace), and achieving a required cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 during 150 percent (approximately 135 credits for a two-year degree and 75 for a one-year certificate) of a student’s program (maximum time frame). 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.
You are notified of your SAP standing after SAP is calculated. This includes good standing, warning, termination, and probation. You are sent a courtesy notification if you are close to being below GPA and pace. All communications are sent to your LBCC email. If you fail to meet SAP requirements due to extenuating circumstances, you may appeal to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee.
Reinstatement of Aid Eligibility
A student may submit an appeal for reinstatement on the basis of mitigating circumstances or after successfully rehabilitating the cumulative 2.0 GPA or better and completion rate of 70%.
Appeal Procedures
Appeals are made through the Office of Financial Aid utilizing the official appeal form located within Webrunner and require the following: an explanation and documentation regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and a statement and documentation as to what has changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to meet SAP in future terms. Appeals are referred to the Financial Aid Appeals (FAAC) committee. If an appeal is approved, aid eligibility will be restored beginning with the current term and not retroactively. More information regarding the appeal process and deadlines can be found on our website.
Withdrawal Penalty/Repayment Requirements
The U.S. Department of Education regulations require that recipients of federal financial aid "earn" their aid by consistently attending and participating in class. To keep all of their financial aid funds, students must complete at least 60%of the term.
If a student withdraws from all courses after receiving federal funds or stops attending classes before reaching the 60% point, they may be obligated to repay some or all of the aid that was awarded to them.
It’s important to note that if financial aid covered tuition and fees, and a student is granted a 100% refund of tuition, that refund will be returned to the account that originally paid the tuition and fees.
When students completely withdraw from their courses, they can request an estimated Title IV refund and repayment calculation from the Financial Aid office.
Warning! If you receive federal and/or state aid based on false information, you will be required to repay all of the aid you received. If you purposely give false or misleading information on any documents used to determine your financial aid eligibility, you may be fined, sent to prison, or both.