Finding Funds For Oregon Students Oregon Student Access Commission Helping Students Plan and Pay for College

Financial Aid Terms Oregon Opportunity Grant Other Grants & Tuition Waiver OSAC Scholarship Program & Application Tips Topics

FAFSA o 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

Need-based aid o Determined by FAFSA &/or other statement of financial need Merit-based aid o Determined by other factors: talent, academics, interest, etc. Financial Aid Terms

Grants o Eligibility based on need o No repayment Scholarships o Eligibility based on EFC, remaining need, merit, or a combination Work study o Awarded by the college using FAFSA information Financial Aid Terms, cont.

Student Loans o Federal and Private Loans o Must be paid back Federal Education Tax Credits o 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 Financial Aid Terms, cont.

 FAFSA is the application for OOG.  Submit the FAFSA by February 1, 2013 to be considered for a Opportunity Grant.  The OOG award is a flat amount of $2,000 for 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 of their award. Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG)

 HB 3471 passed in 2011 and effects the 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 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 Other State Grant Programs at OSAC

OSAC Scholarship Program 450+ scholarships More than $15 million awarded Average award is $2,000 3,800+ awardees One easy application Apply online at:

OSAC Scholarship Program Deadlines Friday, February 15, 2013 Priority deadline for Early Bird Review o Opportunity to correct errors o If error-free, enter a drawing for a $500 scholarship o 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 Page Your 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 year Check 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 Activities B.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/January o 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 application o 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 - Fastweb - wwww.fastweb.com College Board – Peterson’s – College and Career Centers Career Information Systems (CIS)

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:

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!

COLLEGE GOAL OREGON January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2013 FREE help completing the FAFSA at 20+ sites. Pick from one of four dates!

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