Finding Funds for Oregon Students - High...

Finding Fund$for Oregon StudentsOregon Student Assistance Commission

Sunday, November 6, 11

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Topics

Financial aid terms OSAC outreach and resources Oregon Opportunity Grant and other

public grants OSAC eApp scholarships Scholarship tips


Financial Aid TermsOSAC Programs and

$$$ for Oregon Students

Section 1


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Financial Aid Terms

Free Application for Federal Student Aid also known as the FAFSA Calculates the family and/or students Expected Family

Contribution or EFC Need-based aid

Determined by FAFSA &/or other statement of financial need

Merit-based aid Determined by other factors: talent, academics, interest,

etc.


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Financial Aid Terms, cont.

Grants Eligibility based on need No repayment

Scholarships Eligibility based on EFC, remaining need, merit, or a

combination No repayment

Work study Awarded by the college using FAFSA


Remaining Need Calculation School’s cost of attendance minus (EFC) = Remaining

Financial Need Federal and Private Student Loans

May be listed as financial aid and must be paid back Federal Education Tax Credits

American Opportunity 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, cont.


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Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)

The state student financial aid agency ASPIRE, Outreach and Information

Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) and grants for for foster youth, student parents, and more…

eApp Oregon’s common application for scholarships


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ASPIRE

Provides one-on-one mentoring to extend and enhance the reach of the guidance counselor

Welcomes ALL students

Offers ALL postsecondary educational options

Statewide at sites that serve high school students

For a list of participating sites: www.AspireOregon.org


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ASPIRE is ExpandingApply Now!

Three ways to ASPIRE! 1. Traditional ASPIRE: At a school or site that serves high

school students 2. eASPIRE: Online mentoring 3. Getting Ready to ASPIRE: Mentoring for middle school

studentsExpansion funds provided by GEAR UP and

College Access Challenge Grant

Apply at www.AspireOregon.org Volunteer to be an eMentor


http://www.aspireoregon.org/

http://www.aspireoregon.org/

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2011 College Goal Oregon Event

January 15, January 22, or January 29

Students get help to complete a FAFSA 22 sites around Oregon including universities, community

colleges, tribes, high schools, and YMCAs

Communities select from one of the three dates Check the website for your closest event and date

You can help Apply to be a site Volunteer for a College Goal Oregon event

www.CollegeGoalOregon.gov


FAFSA Fridays

Program of College Goal Oregon

December 17 7:00 pm January 7 7:00 pm January 14 2:00 pm January 21 7:00 pm January 28 2:00 pm February 4 2:00 pm February 11 7:00 pm

February 18 2:00 pm February 25 7:00 pm March 25 2:00 pm April 29 7:00 pm May 27 2:00 pm June 24 7:00 pm

An overview of financial aid and a FAFSA application demonstration. Financial Aid professionals are online to chat with participants! To register email [email protected]

Webinar Dates:


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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OSAC Communications Timely Tip Sheets - www.GetCollegeFunds.org How to Analyze College Financial Aid Award Letters, What

You Need To Know About Student Loans and more!

Podcast Topics Avoiding Scholarship Scams, The OSAC eApp Scholarship

Application, American Tax Credit and more!

Join us on Twitter and Facebook


http://www.getcollegefunds.org/




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Oregon Opportunity Grant

File your FAFSA early to apply Indicate the Oregon college you plan to attend in

the first position on your FAFSA Maximum award depends on type of school (2-

year or 4-year public or 4-year private nonprofit) and if enrolled full-time or half-time

www.fafsa.govSunday, November 6, 11

Other Public Programs at OSAC

Federal Chafee Grants for Former Foster Youth** – Up to $3,000 annually. Oregon Dept of Human Services approves eligibility. Deadlines: August 1 (fall); November 1 (winter); February 1 (spring); May 1 (summer)

Deceased and Disabled Public Safety Officer Scholarship** – For children of public safety officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Awards up to full tuition & fees, depending on institution.

Student Childcare Grant** – Award based on age and number of children. Applications available mid-January.

Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Scholarship – Vouchers for education expenses, must have participated to be eligible.

** Visit www.getcollegefunds.org for details and applications




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OSAC Scholarships

www.GetCollegeFunds.org Sunday, November 6, 11

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What’s New www.GetCollegeFunds.org

Streamlined look with pop-up instructions Available early AND high school juniors can begin

their 2012-13 eApp Easier search and sort functions – similar to an

online shopping cart Add scholarships directly to your eApp Change a “test” eApp into a “regular” eApp




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What’s New

After submitting you will receive an email that your eApp was received, and again after it’s reviewed

Use Scholar Snapp to export eApp data to other online scholarship applications

Remember: Your work is automatically saved


Sections:1. High School by County2. Academic and Career Interest 3. Specific Populations & Miscellaneous4. Member Organizations / Employers OSAC Salutes Donors: Index

Scholarship Search Workbook


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Workbook Toolbar


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Scholarship Search Onlinewww.GetCollegeFunds.org

Links to: Start or return to your application Catalog Deadlines PDF of the workbook/worksheet/

paper app eApp instructions Transcript, eligibility and residency

info Your e-Student Profile GPA calculator Scholar Snapp Scholarships awarded to date


What you can do in the catalog not embedded in your application

Review specific requirements for each scholarship. Click on SET FILTERS button to customize your search

You cannot add scholarships to your application from here. Start your application and use the catalog embedded in your application!


What you can do in the Scholarship List embedded in your application!

• Set your basic search criteria: Notice that your name and eApp number appear and dropdown boxes are prefilled

• Click continue after setting your Basic Search• Add Scholarships by Name• Review and refine your search• Search Employer Member Programs only (recommended)

For each scholarship in your list you can either remove it or add it to your application

Click continue after setting your Basic Search


Your eApp Home Page

1. Check your status2. Correct errors – messages appear in red3. Print a copy4. Submit after 11/1/2010

(AFTER you submit you cannot add more scholarships. You can only change your contact info, college choice and college major!)


What you can do in your e-Student Profile Edit applications

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 contact info, college choice and college major

Copy (refresh) prior year’s eApp data to update

e-Student Profile Home PageYour personal go-to page!

Check often! Primary source of notifications from OSAC about your eApp!


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OSAC Activities Chart

You can: Begin to add activities Certify that you have no activity in a specific category Import your CIS Activities

Activity list:A. School ActivitiesB. Volunteer Activities (Community/Family)C. Paid Work History

Include: Dates Hours (time spent) Responsibilities/Accomplishments (15 words)


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Personal Statements

Limit statement to 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


Transcripts


Find help at the bottom of most pages

Return to your e-Student Profile Logout Get Help with current page eApp Instructions FAQ’s eApp feedback form and help with technical problems Ask the OSAC “wise guy” for non-technical help Review OSAC privacy policies


OSAC Scholarship Deadlines

Tuesday, January 18 eApp Review begins Wednesday, February 16 Priority deadline for Early Bird Scholarship

– Opportunity to correct errors– If error-free, drawing for $500 scholarship

Tuesday, 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


Finding Funds for Oregon StudentsSection 2

Scholarship Tips


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The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Programs

Ford Scholars – For graduating high school seniors and community college transfer students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at eligible Oregon colleges

Ford Opportunity – For single parents, heads of households, without the support of a domestic partner, pursuing bachelor’s degrees at eligible Oregon colleges

Ford ReStart – For nontraditional students, age 25 or older, to begin or return full-time in an Oregon certificate or degree program

Ford Sons & Daughters - For dependents, age 21 or younger, of Roseburg Forest Products employees

Details at www.GetCollegeFunds.org or www.tfff.org






Tip: Keep Searching

Colleges and universities (including departments) Employers… and parents’ employers Member organizations Local civic organizations, foundations, high

schools

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


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Tip: Writing essays

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


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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


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Tip: Get help and feedback

Friends and family

Office/job associates

Professors/teachers

Learning resource centers

Writing centers


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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


Tip: The Interview

Remember your audience Reread your application & essays Practice your interview skills Make a positive first impression

Establish eye-contact Display poised, confident body language Dress appropriately Be yourself


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Tip: 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


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Tips to Remember!

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


More Scholarship Resources

OSAC www.GetCollegeFunds.org Fastweb www.fastweb.com College Board www.collegeboard.com Peterson’s www.petersons.com Common search engines:

Google Bing

College and Career Centers




http://www.fastweb.com/

http://www.fastweb.com/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

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How to learn more from OSAC

“Opportunities” booklets- order online http://www.osac.state.or.us/publications_info.html

Get College Funds – Oregon state financial aid and programs: www.GetCollegeFunds.org

College is Possible –Information about going to college: www.OregonOpportunities.gov


http://www.osac.state.or.us/publications_info.html

http://www.osac.state.or.us/publications_info.html

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/




Other Resources

FAFSA – Application for Federal and State aid: www.fafsa.gov

FAFSA Forecaster – Get an early estimate of your eligibility for Federal student aid: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

College Navigator – Find information about colleges including net price: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

College financial aid office

Federal student aid information center - 1-800-433-3243


http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/






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