Portland Community College Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Step 3: Review and accept award

award icon

Once you have completed Step 2 - Submit documents, the next step is to accept your award. While you are waiting for your award to process, you can learn how award amounts are determined.

How to accept your award

FAFSA students

  1. Watch your dashboard

    You will receive a PCC email when your award is ready. To see your award, go to your Financial Aid Dashboard on the MyPCC Paying for College tab and click Accept or decline your award.

  2. Accept terms and conditions

    In your award letter, read the Terms and Conditions tab, then click Accept. If you want to use financial aid at the bookstore, then check the box for Yes next to Authorization to Deduct Charges.

  3. Look at the award offer tab

    The amounts you see are calculated based on full time enrollment (12 credits per term). You'll want to review and adjust award amounts. Accept funds in the following order:

    1. Grants. Limited gift aid that doesn't have to be repaid. The college accepts grants for you.
    2. Work Study. Work study is money earned through part-time work. Saying yes to work study is a better alternative than incurring loan debt.
    3. Loans. Accept loans after grants and work study. Accept subsidized loans first, then unsubsidized. Loans are limited and must be repaid, so take only what you need for your education.
  4. Submit award

    Make sure that you have not left any award amounts undecided. Click Submit.

Need more help? See the step-by-step guide to accepting your award.

ORSAA students

  1. Review terms and conditions

    Review the Terms and Conditions of financial aid.

  2. View your award

    Go to the MyPCC Paying for College tab. Under Financial aid links, click Award History.

Taking out a student loan?

If you're taking out a loan, you may need to take additional steps: see financial aid loans.

When will your award be ready to review?

If you met the dates for submitting the application and documents, your award will be sent by the dates below.

Financial aid timeline, 2022-23 academic year
Term you're starting Application submitted by Documents submitted by Award ready by
Summer 2022 Feb 15, 2022 May 16, 2022 Jun 1, 2022*
Fall 2022 Apr 15, 2022 Jul 1, 2022 Sep 1, 2022*
Winter 2023 Oct 15, 2022 Nov 15, 2022 Dec 16, 2022
Spring 2023 Jan 1, 2023 Feb 3, 2023 Mar 2, 2023

*ORSAA students do not qualify for summer financial aid and can expect to receive their award before payment is due for fall term.

Awards for fall, winter, and spring are often sent out earlier than the dates above - check your email daily!

screenshot with view or print award circled

Print your award from your dashboard

View or print your award

To view or print your award letter, use the link on the award tab of your Financial Aid Dashboard.

After you accept

After you complete all the steps above, you are ready to go to Step 4 - Receive Your Funds!