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Finding Fund$ for Oregon Students. Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) The state student financial aid agency. 2009-10 Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) Scholarship Administration Targeted programs for foster youth, student parents, rural health practitioners, and more… ASPIRE
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Oregon Student Assistance Commission(OSAC) The state student financial aid agency 2009-10 • 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) www.GetCollegeFunds.org
OregonOpportunity 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 www.fafsa.ed.gov
Estimators www.GetCollegeFunds.org www.FinAid.org www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
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 applications • Join Twitter.com/OSAC
Scholarship Search Workbook Sections: • High School by County • Academic and career interest and specific populations • Member Organizations / Employers • Index of Donor Named Scholarships
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!
OSAC Activities Chart 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)
Personal Statements • Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals. • Describe a challenge or obstacle you faced in the last ten years. What did you learn about yourself from this experience? • Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it. • Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Please provide specific examples. 150 words or 1,000 Characters
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
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
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 • 1-800-433-3243 • www.finaid.org • “Opportunities” booklets
Resources • GetCollegeFunds.org • ASPIREOregon.org • CollegeGoalOregon.org • Collegenightinor.org • OregonOpportunities.gov • OSAC – 800-452-8807 • ASPIRE Program – 541-687-7400
Final 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