1. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the financial aid priority deadline (see the important dates calendar).  

If you miss the annual priority deadline, you can still apply, but see Eligibility and Conditions.

Grants (except Pell Grants), are awarded only as long as funds are available each year. See Grants.

Go to the FAFSA website  and follow the instructions. Use the Cascadia school code: 034835.

To apply for an Opportunity Grant, see Grants.

If you know that you will not qualify for a grant, go on to step 5, below, as soon as you fill out the FAFSA.  

2. Submit the 2011-2012 Cascadia Financial Aid Data Sheet to Kodiak Corner on the 1st floor.  You may pick up this form in Kodiak Corner or find it online. 

3. Once the school receives your FAFSA record and Data Sheet, additional documents and information may be required by the College or Department of Education.  You will receive notification from the Student Financial Services office of items needed.  You may also check your status online.

If you are awarded a grant or other type of financial aid, Cascadia will:

• E-mail you an award notification.  You can then check the Financial Aid Portal to view your award. 

4. If you are awarded a grant AND you indicated on the FAFSA that you want work study to supplement the grant money, your award letter will reflect work study eligibility.
 

Your award letter will include a dollar amount for work study, but it is up to you to find a work study job. To look at work study job listings, come to the financial aid office.

5.  Complete Loan Entrance Counseling  This will review your rights and responsibilities of being a student loan borrower.  This step is required BEFORE we process your loan request

Go to Direct Loan Servicing Online  and select 'sign in' under "Manage My Direct Loan".  Sign in using your personal information and Department of Education PIN.  If you do not remember your PIN number or do not have a PIN, go to the Federal Student Aid PIN  website to request you PIN.  Once logged in, select the 'Complete Entrance Counseling' link.  When you finish the session, print out the Rights & Responsibilities and save it for your records.

6.  Complete and sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN).  This is your agreement with the Department of Education to repay your loan according to the terms and conditions of your loan.  This step is also required BEFORE we process your loan request.

Please go to Direct Loan Servicing Online  and select 'sign in' under "Manage My Direct Loan".  Sign in using your personal information and Department of Education PIN.  If you do not remember your PIN number or do not have a PIN go to the Federal Student Aid PIN  website to request your PIN. Once logged in, select 'Complete MPN'.

7. Complete and submit a student loan worksheet request to the Financial Aid office.  This step is also required BEFORE we process your loan request.

Keep the instruction/information sheet for later reference; do not turn it in with the worksheet form. 

8. Wait for Cascadia to process your loan and notify you of the amount of your loan.

Please allow 3-5 weeks for review and processing of your loan request.  If your file has not yet been awarded, regular and peak time processing timelines apply.

If you are awarded a loan, you will receive the following:

An award letter from Cascadia with the amount of your loan for the quarter(s) selected. 

9. Wait for Cascadia to notify you that it has received your loan money.

When Cascadia notifies you that your loan has arrived, see Receiving Your Aid.

10. (optional, for parents or guardians).  

a.  Complete and sign your Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).  Students will also need a FAFSA and data sheet BEFORE we process your PLUS loan request

b.  Complete and submit the parent loan worksheet to the Cascadia Financial Aid Office.

If the loan you receive is not enough to cover your costs, and you are a dependent student based on the FAFSA, your parent or guardian can apply for a Parent PLUS Loan.  Stafford Loans offer better terms than Parent PLUS loans.

Go to Direct Loan Servicing Online  and select 'sign in' under "Manage My Direct Loan".  Sign in using your personal information and Department of Education PIN. If you do not remember your PIN number or do not have a PIN, go to the Federal Student Aid PIN  website to request your PIN.  Once logged in, select the 'Request PLUS loan' link to begin the credit check.  Once approved, select "Endorse PLUS Loan" link to complete the promissory note.
 

Keep the instruction/information sheet for later reference; do not turn it in with the worksheet form.

11. EACH QUARTER, meet the academic standards required for financial aid.

See the Academic Standards for Financial Aid (Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy).

12. (if you’re enrolled less than full time). EACH QUARTER, submit an enrollment change form.

Submit the enrollment change form to the Kodiak Corner/Student Services Center.

13. (if you have a grant, work study, or a loan). EACH YEAR, complete the FAFSA by the financial aid priority deadline (see the important dates calendar). 

Go to the FAFSA website  and follow the instructions. Use the Cascadia school code: 034835.

14. (if you have a grant, work study, or a loan). EACH YEAR, submit a financial aid data sheet. 

Fill out the financial aid data sheet and submit it to the financial aid office.

15. (if you have a loan). EACH YEAR, repeat loan entrance counseling and complete the loan confirmation form.

Complete steps 5 and 6 above.