Finding FundsFor Oregon Students

Oregon Student Access CommissionHelping Students Plan and Pay for College

Financial Aid Terms

Oregon Opportunity Grant Other Grants & Tuition Waiver

OSAC Scholarship Program & Application Tips

Topics

• FAFSAo Free Application for Federal Student

Aid

o Helps evaluate a student’s ability to pay for college

o Calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

o Reapply each year

o Determines eligibility for financial aid

Financial Aid Terms

www.fafsa4caster.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov

• Need-based aid o Determined by FAFSA &/or other

statement of financial need

• Merit-based aido Determined by other factors: talent,

academics, interest, etc.

Financial Aid Terms

www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

• Grantso Eligibility based on needo No repayment

• Scholarshipso Eligibility based on EFC, remaining

need, merit, or a combination

• Work studyo Awarded by the college using FAFSA

information

Financial Aid Terms, cont.

• Student Loanso Federal and Private Loanso Must be paid back

• Federal Education Tax Creditso American Opportunity Tax Credit

(modified Hope Credit): Up to $2,500 annually

o Lifetime Learning Credit: Up to $2,000 per family per year for additional years

www.irs.gov

Financial Aid Terms, cont.

FAFSA is the application for OOG. Submit the FAFSA by February 1, 2013

to be considered for a 2013-2014 Opportunity Grant.

The OOG award is a flat amount of $2,000 for 2013-14 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 Grant (OOG)

HB 3471 passed in 2011 and effects the 2012-13 academic school year.

Waives tuition and fees for foster youth & 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 Youth

• Chafee Education and Training Grant

• Scholarships for the Children of Deceased and Disabled Public Safety Officers

• Student Childcare Grant

www.OregonStudentAid.gov

Other State Grant Programs at OSAC

www.OregonStudentAid.gov

OSAC Scholarship Program

• 450+ scholarships

• More than $15 million awarded

• Average award is $2,000

• 3,800+ awardees

• One easy application

• Apply online at:

www.OregonStudentAid.gov

OSAC Scholarship Program Deadlines

Friday, February 15, 2013 • Priority deadline for Early Bird Review

o Opportunity to correct errorso If error-free, enter a drawing for a

$500 scholarshipo 5:00 pm (PST)

Friday, March 1, 2013 • FINAL deadline

o Oregon Scholarship Applications & all required documents must be received at OSAC by 5:00 pm (PST)

Application Requirements

Applications require:• Student Profile• 4 Personal Statements• Activities Chart• Transcripts• Scholarship-specific essays

and other documents may be required

Application Student Profile PageYour Personal “go-to” page

What can you do in your Student Profile? Edit & 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!

OSAC Activities Chart

You 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 ActivitiesB. Volunteer Activities (Community/Family)C. Paid Work History

Include: Dates Hours (time spent) Responsibilities/Accomplishments (115 characters)

Personal Statements

150 words for each statement: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?

Transcripts

• High school seniors submit transcripts that reflect grades through December/Januaryo Additional requirements for home-schooled

students

• College students submit transcripts that includes all work through fall semester/term

• Three options for submission:o School submits electronically (IDTS or OSAC

secure web portal)o Student scan and upload to applicationo Student sends hardcopy (blacken first 5 digits of

SSN)

# 1 reason for a rejected OSAC application: A missing or incomplete transcript

Tip #1: Search Additional Scholarships

• Colleges and universities (including departments)

• Employers… and parents’ employers

• Member organizations

• Local civic organizations, foundations, high school

• Military service, disabled veterans

Do not pay for search tools – use the FREE ones!

Tip #2: Scholarship Search Engines

• OSAC - www.OregonStudentAid.gov

• Fastweb - wwww.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 #3: 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 #4: Writing Essays or Personal Statements

• Get inspiration from past activities

• Answer the question

• Consider the reader

• Don’t repeat information (like your GPA)

• Cute doesn’t cut it

• Be clear and purposeful about your academic and career goals

• Be honest

Tip #5: 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 #6: Get Help and Feedback

• Friends and family

• Office/job associates

• Professors/teachers

• Learning resource centers

• Writing centers

Tip #7: Proofread

• Read backwards to focus on spelling

• Read out loud and silently

• Print it out and read it

• Read it slowly

• Take a break and review again

• Have someone else proofread your essay

Tip #8: 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 appropriately• Be yourself• Shake hands firmly

• Arrive early

Tip #9: 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

For more information: www.ftc.gov

OSAC Communications

• Tip Sheets• How to analyze College Financial Aid award

letters, What you need to know about student loans, and more!

• Podcast 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!

www.OregonStudentAid.gov

COLLEGE GOAL OREGONJanuary 5, 12, 19, 26, 2013

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