finding funds for oregon students helping students plan and pay for college oregon student access...
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Finding FundsFor Oregon Students
Helping Students Plan and Pay for College
Oregon Student Access Commission
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC)
ASPIRE and Outreach
Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)
Grants for foster youth, student parents, and more…
OSAC Scholarship Application
Manages:
Financial Aid Terms
Oregon Opportunity Grant Other Grants & Tuition Waiver
OSAC Scholarship Program & Application Tips
Topics to Cover
1
2
3
FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student
Aid
Helps evaluate a student’s ability to pay for college
Calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Re-apply each year
Determines eligibility for financial aid
Financial Aid Terms
www.fafsa4caster.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov
Part 1
Need-based aid Determined by FAFSA and/or other
statement of financial need
VS.Merit-based aid Determined by other factors: talent,
academics, interest, etc.
Financial Aid Terms
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Pt. 1
Grants Eligibility based on need No repayment
Scholarships Eligibility based on EFC, remaining
need, merit, or a combination
Work study Awarded by the college using FAFSA
information
Financial Aid TermsPt. 1
Student Loans Federal and Private Loans Must be paid back
Federal Education Tax Credits American Opportunity Tax Credit
(modified Hope Credit): Up to $2,500 annually
Lifetime Learning Credit: Up to $2,000 per family per year for additional years
Financial Aid Terms
www.irs.gov
Pt. 1
FAFSA is the application for OOG Submit the FAFSA by February 1, 2014
to be considered for a 2014-2015 Opportunity Grant.
The OOG award is a flat amount of $2,000 for 2014-15 for eligible students at participating Oregon institutions.
Awards are made first-come first- served until the funds run out.
OSAC will notify OOG awardees by email of their award.
www.fafsa.gov
Oregon Opportunity GrantPart 2
HB 3471 passed in 2011 and effective starting the 2012-13 academic year.
After federal and state grants, institutional aid and scholarships are applied, remaining tuition and fees are waived for foster youth and former foster youth at Oregon community colleges and universities.
OSAC gives these students priority awarding for the OOG.
Oregon DHS identifies eligible students and notifies OSAC & the schools.
Questions? Contact the school’s financial aid office or Peggy Cooksey 541-687-7443.
Tuition & Fee Waiver for Foster YouthPt. 2
Chafee Education and Training Grant
Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant
Student Childcare Grant
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
Other Grant Programs at OSACPt. 2
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
OSAC Scholarship Program
450+ scholarships More than $15 million awarded Average award is $2,000 3,800+ awardees One easy application
Part 3
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
OSAC Scholarship Program DeadlinesSaturday, February 15, 2014 Priority deadline for Early Bird Review
Opportunity to correct transcript errors only
If error-free, enter a drawing for a $500 scholarship
5:00 pm (PST)
Saturday, March 1, 2014 FINAL deadline
Oregon Scholarship Applications & all required documents must be received at OSAC by 5:00 pm (PST)
Pt. 3
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
Scholarship Application Features
Apply for multiple scholarships on one online application!
High school juniors can begin their application for submission their graduation year
Scholarship Application Worksheet OSAC will send email after
application is received and again after review
Pt. 3
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
OSAC Scholarship Program 446 programs listed in catalog 57 employer/membership programs 334 programs for graduating high school seniors
(236 do not have a G.P. A requirement) 234 programs for undergrad students 95 programs for graduate students 291 programs allow attendance outside Oregon 73 programs do not require financial need
Part 3
Ford Scholars – For graduating high school seniors and community college transfer students pursuing a bachelor's degree at an eligible Oregon college
Ford Opportunity – For single parents who are "head of household" and without the support of a domestic partner, pursuing a bachelor's degree at an eligible Oregon college
Ford ReStart – For adults, age 25 years or older, pursuing an associate’s or bachelor ‘s degree at an eligible Oregon college. Preference is given to applicants who are less than halfway through completion of their program. A ReStart Reference Form is required.
Ford Sons & Daughters - For dependents of employees of Roseburg Forest Products Co. who are 21 years old or younger by the application deadline; applicants may attend any eligible college in the U.S.
Scholarship Programs Pt. 3
www.OregonStudentAid.gov www.tfff.org
Application Requirements
Applications require: Student Profile 4 Personal Statements Activities Chart Transcripts Scholarship-specific
essays and other documents may be required
Pt. 3
Application Student Profile PageYour Personal “go-to” page
What can you do in your Student Profile? Print your application
Verify whether OSAC accepted your application
Check if you have been awarded a scholarship, and if awarded, accept/decline it online
Update your personal contact info, college choice and college major
Copy (refresh) prior year’s Oregon Scholarship Application data to update and apply for the current yearCheck your Student Profile often for messages from OSAC about your application!
Pt. 3
OSAC Activities ChartYou can: Begin to add activities Certify that you have no activity in a specific
category, if applicable Import your CIS Activities
Activity list:A. School Activities
B. Volunteer Activities (Community/Family)
C. Paid Work History
Include: Dates Hours (time spent) Responsibilities/Accomplishments (115 characters)
Pt. 3
Personal Statements
1. Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals.
2. Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Please provide specific examples.
3. Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.
4. Describe a significant change or experience that has occurred in your life. How did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?
Pt. 3No more than 1000 characters max
Transcripts High school seniors submit transcripts that provide
grades from the first semester, trimester, or second quarter of senior year.
Additional requirements for home-schooled students
College students submit transcripts that include all work through fall semester/term
Three options for submission: High school submits electronically (IDTS or OSAC secure web
portal) Student scans and uploads to application Student sends hardcopy (blacken all SSN)
# 1 reason for a rejected OSAC application: A missing or incomplete transcript
Pt. 3
How do students receive scholarships?
Students Accepts award through online OSAC Student
Profile
Notifies OSAC w/any changes: address, school, etc.
School Verifies eligibility
Receives funds from OSAC at beginning of the term
Issues? Contact the financial aid office and then OSAC
Pt. 3
Search Additional Scholarships Search Local
Colleges (including depts.), employers, parents’ employers, member organizations, local civic organizations, foundations, high school
Search StateOSAC
Search NationalGates Millennium Scholarship Program, Coca-Cola, Duck Tape
Do not pay for search tools – use the FREE ones!
Tip #1
Scholarship Search Engines
OSAC - www.OregonStudentAid.gov
Fastweb - www.fastweb.com
College Board – www.collegeboard.org
Peterson’s – www.petersons.com
College and Career Centers
Career Information Systems (CIS)
www.OregonStudentAid.gov/aspire-web-links.aspx
Tip #2:
What Selection Committees Consider
Academics GPA, course rigor, transcripts, and test scores
Outside the Classroom Volunteer activities, leadership, work, etc.
Life Experiences Serving your community, helping your family Tell your unique story using your four Personal
Statements, Activities Chart, and transcript
Tip #3:
Writing Essays or Personal Statements
Get inspiration from past activities
Answer the question
Consider the reader
Don’t repeat information (like your GPA)
Be original, creative, and honest
Be clear and purposeful about your academic and career goals
Be careful about using too much humor
Tip #4:
Don’t be Shy
In what ways are you unique?
What are your leadership qualities?
How do you take initiative?
Any special recognition?
Tie your past and present with your future
Put YOU on paper
Passion with a purpose
Tip #5:
Get Help and Feedback
Friends and family
Office/job associates
Professors/teachers
Learning resource centers
Writing centers
Tip #6:
Proofread
Print it out and read it
Read backwards sentence by sentence
Read out loud and silently
Read it slowly
Take a break and review again
Have someone else proofread your essays
Tip #7:
The Interview
Remember your audience
Reread your Application & Personal Statements/essays
Practice your interview skills
Make a positive first impression Establish eye contact Display poised, confident body language Dress business casual Be yourself Shake hands firmly and remember
names Arrive early
Tip #8:
Beware of Scams
Why pay for a service you can get for free?
Must still do the work and getting a refund is not that easy
Services that “guarantee” scholarships are questionable
Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
Tip #9:
OSAC CommunicationsPodcast Topics The OSAC Scholarship Application, American
Tax Credit, Avoiding Scholarship Scams, etc.
Follow OSAC on Twitter and Facebook Receive updates on new scholarships, tips
during the scholarship season, reminders, and more!
Tip Sheets How to analyze College Financial Aid award
letters, What you need to know about student loans, and more!
www.OregonStudentAid.gov
COLLEGE GOAL OREGONJanuary 4, 11, 18, 25, 2014
FREE help completing the FAFSA at 20+ sites. Pick from one of four dates!www.CollegeGoalOregon.gov
Thank you for attending “Finding Funds for Oregon Students”