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.

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.