Topics
1. Financial Aid Terms
2. Funds for Oregon StudentsOpportunity Grant OSAC eApp Scholarship
3. Scholarship Tips
Financial Aid Terms
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)– Calculates the family and/or students Expected
Financial Contribution (EFC)Need-based aid– Determined by FAFSA &/or other statement of
financial needMerit-based aid– Determined by other factors: talent, academics,
interest, etc.
Financial Aid Terms, cont.
Grants– Eligibility based on need– No repayment
Scholarships– Eligibility based on EFC, remaining need,
merit, or a combination– No repayment
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 backWork study– Awarded by the college using FAFSAFederal 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.
Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)
The state student financial aid agency
2009-10Oregon 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)
www.GetCollegeFunds.org
Oregon Opportunity Grant
File your FAFSA early to applyIndicate the Oregon college you plan to attend or those you are considering on your FAFSAMaximum award depends on 2-year or 4-year school and if full or half time studentGet an estimate of your grant and your EFC
www.fafsa.ed.gov
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 applicationsJoin Twitter.com/OSAC
1. Review the Workbook listings of scholarships
2. Search the online catalog (www.GetCollegeFunds.org)
Scholarship Search
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
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 ActivitiesB. 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 19eApp Review begins
Tuesday, February 16Priority deadline for Early Bird Scholarship– Opportunity to correct errors– If error-free, drawing for $500 scholarship
Monday, March 1FINAL deadline– eApp and paper apps must be received at OSAC– Postmarks are not acceptedCheck your e-Student Profile for application status
Let’s go online!
OSAC www.GetCollegeFunds.orgFastweb www.fastweb.comCollege Board www.collegeboard.comScholarships.com www.scholarships.comMany other scholarship search sitesNot endorsing those listed above, but have proven to be legitimate sites
The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Programs
Ford Scholars – For graduating high school seniors and community college transfer students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Oregon
Ford Opportunity – For single parents, heads of households pursuing bachelor’s degrees at eligible Oregon colleges
Ford ReStart –– For age 25 or older, nontraditional students to begin or return full-time in an Oregon certificate or degree program
Ford Sons & Daughters -- For dependents of For dependents of Roseburg Forest Products employees Roseburg Forest Products employees
Details at www.GetCollegeFunds.org or www.tfff.org
Tip: Keep Searching
Use a scholarship search engine on the web or CISColleges 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!
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 paperPassion 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
Tip: The Interview
Remember your audienceReread your application & essaysPractice your interview skillsMake a positive first impression– Establish eye-contact– Display poised, confident body language– Dress appropriately – Be yourself
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
How to learn more …
College financial aid office High school counselor / ASPIRE programFederal student aid information center – 1-800-433-3243 – www.finaid.org
“Opportunities” booklets
GetCollegeFunds.org
ASPIREOregon.org
CollegeGoalOregon.org
Collegenightinor.org
OregonOpportunities.gov
OSAC – 800-452-8807
ASPIRE Program – 541-687-7400
Resources
Use all your resources to maximize $$Follow the instructionsMeet deadlinesSpell check & proofreadOrder correct transcript(s)Reflect your best workSubmit all required documents and keep copies for yourselfCheck your e-Student Profile regularly
Final Tips to Remember!
Ford Scholars Program
Up to 120 scholarships annuallyMinimum 3.00 GPA (lower GPA requires special recommendation by counselor/teacher)
Apply as a high school grad or a community college student transferring to a 4-year school. May attend any public/private, non-profit college based in home stateMust plan to earn bachelor’s degreeAward is 90% of unmet need, after other aid and family/student expected contribution
Scholars who graduate with a college GPA of 3.60 or higher may apply for graduate school scholarship
Ford Opportunity Program
Similar to Ford Scholars Program -
except…
For single parents - men or women heads of household
without financial support of a domestic partner
Can apply at any time during college career
Up to 50 scholarships awarded annually
Ford ReStart Program
Similar to Ford Scholars Program - except…
At least 25 years old as of the scholarship deadline; with high school diploma or GED
Seeking technical certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Preference given to applicants with limited or no college experience
Up to 50 scholarships awarded annually