Finding Fund$ for Oregon Students

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

Last year 1,400 ASPIRE Volunteers helped students at 115 ASPIRE sites

2009-10

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

Estimators

www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

www.GetCollegeFunds.org

www.FinAid.org

OSAC Scholarships

www.GetCollegeFunds.org

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

Workbook Toolbar

Scholarship Search Online www.GetCollegeFunds.org

Additional Information & Document Required

Apply for Scholarships www.GetCollegeFunds.org

Start your eApp e-Student Profile

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

List Scholarships

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

OSAC Activities Chart

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

Transcripts

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!

Thank You for Attending Finding Fund$

for Oregon Students

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

Sons and Daughters of Employees of Roseburg Forest Products Co.

For dependents of mill employeesAge 21 or younger as of the scholarship deadline Any Title IV eligible public, private, technical school in the U.S. Not need-based, $3,000 or $5,000 awardAverage of 58 awarded annually