Financial Aid Programs and Sources

  Eligibility Requirements Amounts Available Special Information
GRANTS
Federal Pell Grants
  • Be an undergraduate student at a 2- or 4-year public or private college that participates in the federal Title 4 programs.
  • Admitted, degree-seeking students enrolled for one or more credits may be eligible.

  • Amounts are based on financial need as defined by FAFSA.
  • Awards are based on expected family contribution.

  • The Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating your eligibility.

Oregon Opportunity Grants
  • Complete and submit the FAFSA.
  • Be an Oregon resident.
  • Be an undergraduate student at a 2- or 4-year public or private college that participates in the federal Title 4 programs.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (six or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program Fall Term.
  • Beginning 2012-2013, the amount for eligible students is based on financial need and meeting the filing deadline as published by the Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion. Half of published amount is awarded to eligible students enrolled in 6-11 credits.
  • Oregon Opportunity Grants are transferrable to other Oregon institutions and are renewable for a maximum of 12 quarters.
  • Amounts are awarded by Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion.
  • Grant is not available for summer terms.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
  • Be an undergraduate student at a 2- or 4-year public or private college that participates in the federal Title 4 programs.
  • You must prove an exceptional financial need as defined by FAFSA.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (6 or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program.
  • $220 per term of attendance.
  • $660 total for the year.
  • SEOG is linked with Pell Grant eligibility.
WORK STUDY
Federal Work Study Program
  • Undergraduate students and students who have bachelor’s degrees are eligible to participate.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (six or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program.
  • Students are paid current minimum wage for work performed. Higher wages are paid to returning student workers and for jobs requiring certain skills.
  • Employment during the school term may not exceed 20 hours per week.
  • When possible, the student is placed in a job compatible with his or her career goal.
STUDENT LOANS

Federal Direct student loans are available; however, THEY ALL REQUIRE REPAYMENT. Think before you borrow, and borrow only what you need for educational expenses; convenience now may result in financial hardship later. Failure to repay student loans results in a damaged credit rating and makes credit difficult to obtain in the future. Federal regulations require that subsequent loan disbursements be returned to the U.S. Department of Education if at any time you enroll for and complete less than six (6) credit hours during the period of the loan as indicated on your Direct Loan application. Your loan application will be voided, and you must start the loan application process over again.

Federal Direct Student Loans
* Information subject to change.
  • Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (six or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program.
  • Effective July 31, 2013, there will be a new limit on eligibility for Direct Subsidized Loans for new borrowers on or after July 1, 2013. New borrowers who begin their college enrollment on or after July 1, 2013 will not have access to subsidized loan funds beyond 150% of the credits required for their degree or certificate program.
  • Loans of up to $3,500 per year are available to first-year students through the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Students in the second year of their programs (45+ credits) may borrow up to $4,500 per academic year.
  • You must first apply for a Pell Grant by completing the FAFSA.
  • A separate application is required for this program.
  • You are strongly encouraged to apply for grants administered by the state aid agencies in your state of legal residence.
  • Nonresidents may pick up the addresses of their state grant programs from LBCC’s Financial Aid Office.
  • A loan origination fee is charged. This rate is affected by federal legislation and will change each October 1. The loan fee from October 1, 2014 is 1.073%. The rate beginning October 1, 2015 is 1.068%.
  • The interest rate on a Federal Direct Loan is fixed at 4.29 percent which changes annually on July 1.
  • Effective through June 30, 2016, interest will begin to accrue after you cease to be enrolled at least half time.
  • Loan repayment begins six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half time.
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans
  • Students who are not eligible for subsidized Federal Direct Loans are eligible for unsubsidized loans, regardless of need.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (six or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program.
  • Dependent students may borrow up to an additional $2,000 yearly.
  • Independent students may borrow up to an additional $6,000 yearly.
  • Students may borrow up to the same limits as their Federal Direct Loan limits less any subsidized loan received.
  • Loan conditions are similar to the subsidized Federal Direct Loan except that the borrower is responsible for the interest on the loan while attending school.
  • The interest rate on an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is fixed at 4.29 percent which changes annually on July 1.
Federal Plus Loans
  • These loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students regardless of need.
  • Loans require credit check
  • FAFSA must be filed.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (six or more credits per term) in a certificate- or degree-granting program.
  • Parents may borrow up to the difference between the student’s estimated cost of attendance and any financial assistance annually for each dependent student.
  • There is no longer an aggregate maximum under this program.
  • The amount of Federal PLUS is limited by the amount of other aid the student receives. The loan amount cannot exceed the difference between the cost of attendance and estimated financial assistance.
  • Your FAFSA aid application must be completed and processed before your eligibility for the PLUS Loan can be determined.
  • Federal PLUS loans may be used to substitute for the family contribution.
  • Federal PLUS loan checks are co-payable to the parent and the school and must be disbursed in at least two installments.
  • Interest is fixed at 6.84% and changes annually on July 1.
  • There is no federal interest subsidy on PLUS Loans.
  • A loan origination fee is charged which changes annually on October 1. The October 1, 2014 fee is 4.292%. The October 1, 2015 fee will be 2.272%.
  • Repayment of principle and interest begins 60 days after disbursement; if the parent borrower qualifies for a deferment, repayment of principle only is deferred. Interest must be paid unless it is capitalized by the lender.
  • Applications available at the Financial Aid office and its Web site: www.linnbenton.edu/financial-aid.
Eldon Schafer Student Loan Fund
  • Provides loans to students with short-term needs.
  • Students may borrow up to $200 beginning the first day of the term through the ninth week of the term.
  • No loans will be made during final exam week or between terms. Only one loan per student per term is permitted.
  • A $5 loan fee is charged.
  • Loans must be repaid by the end of the sixth week of the term.
  • Applications are available at the Business Office.
SCHOLARSHIPS/OTHER
Scholarships
  • Determined by donor

  • Scholarship information is available from the Financial Aid office and its Web site: www.linnbenton.edu/financial-aid.
Golden Age Program
  • Oregon residents 62 years of age or older are eligible.
  • 25 percent tuition reduction on credit classes.
  • Inquire at time of registration for classes at Albany campus or Centers.
Career Information System (CIS) Aid Sort
  • Computer program identifies thousands of national, state and local sources of scholarships, loans and other awards.
  • Amount varies.
  • Call the Career Center, 541-917-4780, for an appointment at the computer to use AID SORT.

Warning! If you receive federal and/or state aid based on inaccurate information, you will have to pay it back; you also may have to pay fines and fees. If you purposely give false or misleading information on any documents used to determine your aid eligibility, you may be fined $20,000, sent to prison, or both.