Finding Fund$ for Oregon Students

Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) The state student financial aid agency  Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)  Scholarship Administration  Targeted programs for foster youth, student parents, rural health practitioners, and more…  ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone)

Oregon Opportunity Grant  File your FAFSA early to apply  Indicate the Oregon college you plan to attend or those you are considering on your FAFSA  Maximum award depends on 2-year or 4-year school and if full or half time student  Get an estimate of your grant and your EFC

Estimators

OSAC Scholarships

What’s New  Complete the entire application (eApp) online!  Workbook & worksheet - no paper application  Extra documents are not required to be submitted with eApp  Export eApp data to other online scholarship applications  Join Twitter.com/OSAC

Sections: 1.High School by County 2.Academic and career interest and specific populations 3.Member Organizations / Employers 4.Index of Donor Named Scholarships Scholarship Search Workbook

Workbook Toolbar

Scholarship Search Online

Additional Information & Document Required

Apply for Scholarships

Student Access to eApp Data –Update your eApp to complete it before submitting to OSAC –Print your application –Verify whether OSAC accepted your application –Check if you have been awarded a scholarship, and if awarded, accept it online –Update your personal information –Copy (refresh) prior year’s eApp data to update Check regularly! Primary means of receiving OSAC notifications about your eApp! E-Student Profile

Enter each Activity under the categories: A. School Activities B. Volunteer Activities (Community/Family) C. Paid Work History Include: Dates Hours (Time spent) Responsibilities/Accomplishments (15 words) OSAC Activities Chart

Personal Statements 150 words or 1,000 Characters 1.Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals. 2.Describe a challenge or obstacle you faced in the last ten years. What did you learn about yourself from this experience? 3.Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it. 4.Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Please provide specific examples.

Transcripts  OSAC application requires: –Graduating high school seniors submit transcripts that reflect grades through December/January –College students submit transcript that includes all work through fall semester/term  If sending a hard copy, blacken first 5 digits of SSN for security purposes # 1 reason for a rejected OSAC application: A missing or incomplete transcript

OSAC Scholarship Deadlines Tuesday, January 19  eApp Review begins Tuesday, February 16  Priority deadline for Early Bird Scholarship –Opportunity to correct errors –If error-free, drawing for $500 scholarship Monday, March 1  FINAL deadline –eApp and paper apps must be received at OSAC –Postmarks are not accepted Check your e-Student Profile for application status

 Get inspiration from your activities chart  Answer the question  Consider the reader  Don’t repeat information (like your GPA)  Cute doesn’t always cut it  Be clear & purposeful about your academic/career goals Tip: Writing Essays

Tip: 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: Get help and feedback  Friends and family  Office/job associates  Professors/teachers  Learning resource centers  Writing centers

Tip: What scholarship committees consider  Academics –GPA, course rigor, and test scores  Outside the classroom –Volunteer activities, leadership, work, etc.  Life experiences –Serving your community by helping your family –Tell your unique story using your transcript, short essay answers, and activities chart

How to learn more …  College financial aid office  High school counselor / ASPIRE program  Federal student aid information center – –  “Opportunities” booklets

 GetCollegeFunds.org  ASPIREOregon.org  CollegeGoalOregon.org  Collegenightinor.org  OregonOpportunities.gov  OSAC –  ASPIRE Program – Resources

 Use all your resources to maximize $$  Follow the instructions  Meet deadlines  Spell check & proofread  Order correct transcript(s)  Reflect your best work  Submit all required documents and keep copies for yourself  Check your e-Student Profile regularly Final Tips to Remember!