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Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Have to Provide Parent Information?

Parent information is used because the U.S. Congress has stated that families have the primary responsibility of funding a college education. Parent information is not necessary if you are independent.

You are considered independent, by federal definition, for financial aid purposes if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

You are older than 23 by January 1 of the academic year for which you are applying.
You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. You are considered a veteran if you:
- have engaged in active service for at least 1 day in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
You are NOT considered a veteran if you:
- were only an ROTC student
- were only a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies
- were only a National Guard or Reserves enlistee and were not activated for duty
You are married on or before the date you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You are a ward of the court or both parents are deceased and you do not have an adoptive parent or legal guardian. If you were a ward of the court until the age of 18, please submit documentation showing your release from court custody upon reaching 18 years of age.
You have legal dependents that fit the following definition
- children who receive more than half of their support from you. Court documents and tax returns may need to be submitted to establish legal dependence.
- other people living with you who receive more than half of their support from you and will continue to receive that support during the current academic year. Do not include your spouse or friends.

If you fit one or more of the criteria above, you may be considered independent for financial aid purposes. Documentation may be needed to finally establish the criteria as truth. If you do not meet any of the definitions above, then you are considered dependent and must report your parents' information on the aid application.

What If I Do Not Meet Any Of The Criteria Above, But My Parents Do Not Support Me?

You are not automatically independent for financial aid purposes simply because your parents stop claiming you as a tax exemption or refuse to give you support for your college education or because you move away from home.

Unwillingness or reluctance of parents to help pay for your educational cost, or becoming emancipated does not make you independent by federal law.

The Office of Financial Aid at Mt. Hood Community College will make allowances for students to be independent if they can demonstrate extenuating family circumstances.

Examples of extenuating circumstance include but are not limited to:

you and your parents are in separate countries and you have been granted refugee status by the Immigration Service (INS)
a legal restraining order has been issued to your parent(s) due to abusive behavior directed toward you
you have been abandoned and are dependent upon yourself or foster parents for support

Any of these circumstances can be considered, but do not automatically allow you to be independent.

All circumstances must be documented. Mt. Hood Community College has a special form and process you would need to follow to be considered for independent status.

In cases where you do not qualify as an independent student, but you do not receive parental support, you should immediately contact the Mt. Hood Community College Office of Financial Aid to discuss your alternatives.

Is My File Complete?

Have I turned everything in? You can check first online through logging on to the MY MHCC where you use your user name and password. Then go into the financial aid section. If you still need assistance, you can check on the status of your application by calling (503) 491-7262.

Where Do I Get Answers To My Financial Aid Questions?

We are currently located in the College Center in the Main Academic Center, or call (503)491-7262. Your questions can be answered here. If necessary, you will be referred to a financial aid coordinator. You may also email this office. See email addresses under "Office Information."

I'm Not Sure My Family Will Have Financial Need. Should I Complete The FAFSA?

Yes. Financial aid is intended both to remove financial barriers for families who cannot afford the cost of an education beyond high school and to fill in the gap for families who can afford only part of the cost. Some loans and scholarships are available regardless of "need."

Must I Be Accepted For Admission Before I Apply For Financial Aid?

No. You may apply for financial aid any time after January 1 for the coming academic year.

Must I Be Registered Before I Receive Aid?

Yes. In order to pick up any money you must be registered for the stated number of credit hours.

Do I Have To Apply For Financial Aid Each Year?

Yes. Your financial situation must be reassessed each year. However, after the first year you apply for financial aid, you probably will be sent a Renewal Application that will ask you to answer some questions again and recheck the answers to others.

I Want To Apply For A Scholarship Only. Do I Have To Fill Out The FAFSA?

No. Mt. Hood Community College has a separate scholarship application process. Please click on Scholarships for more information.

IKnow I Filled Out A FAFSA and Sent It In At Least Four Weeks Ago, But I Haven't Received A Sar. What Should I Do?

Call the Federal Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

What Is Untaxed Income For Financial Aid Purposes?

The FAFSA will ask for specific types of untaxed income. Untaxed income is income received that is not subject to U.S. income taxes and is required to be reported on the FAFSA. It includes Social Security and veterans benefits, welfare, child support, untaxed pensions, military subsistence allowance, etc. Even if you filed a tax return, complete the untaxed income worksheet.

Do My Stepparents' Income And Assets Have To Be Reported On The FAFSA?

If the parent whose information you are reporting on the FAFSA is married or remarried at the time you complete the FAFSA, you must include information about your stepparent (even if they were not married the year previous to your applying).

My Parents Are Separated Or Divorced. What Financial Information Should I Include On The FAFSA?

The parent you lived with most during the last 12 months. If you didn't live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent who provided the most support to you during the last 12 months or during the most recent calendar year that you were actually supported by a parent.

I Am Currently Separated Or Divorced. Whose Financial Information Should I Include On The E FAFSA?

Include only information about your own last year's income and current assets. You will be asked to file a separation status letter (available in our office) or provide copies of your divorce decree.

What If My Parents Or I Have Had An Unusual Drop In Income Or Increase In Expenses? Do I Submit That Information To Your Office? When Do You Need It?

You do not need to do anything until after you receive your official award notification. Your original award notification will reflect the year's information from your FAFSA. You may then request a "Request for Change Due to Special Circumstances" from our office.

Parent and student requests for reevaluation based on unusual changes in financial circumstances during the calendar year will be reviewed after the initial award letter. If it is determined that your financial need has increased, this increase could be funded with loans and possibly an increased Pell Grant. Do not submit documentation of changes in circumstances until after you receive your first official award notification.

What Are Title Iv Exclusions And How Do I Report Them?

This is the amount of grants and/or scholarships that you received in excess of tuition, fees, books and supplies that you reported or will report on your income tax return. You should indicate this amount on worksheet C on the FAFSA. You also report college work study here.

What Is An Expected Family Contribution And When Do I Provide It?

This is the amount that the federal government has determined you and your parents can contribute to your education throughout the year. This amount is not paid to the college at one specific time, but can be contributed to your educational costs in a variety of ways, such as: assisting in the payment of fees each quarter, buying books and supplies, or providing monthly funds from your parents or a part-time job to cover housing, transportation costs or miscellaneous costs.