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Finding Funds

For Oregon Students

Presenter:

Date:

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Financial Aid Terms

Grant Programs

FAFSA/ORSAA

Scholarship Applications

Key

Topics

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Quick Tips For

Getting Started

Stay Organized

Store usernames, passwords, deadlines

Use professional email and check it

Email

Legal Name

Use your legal name on all applications

Notes-

Securing financial aid can be tricky, but the better prepared you are the easier it will be for you get money for college:

Stay Organized- Use a document, like the ASPIRE Student Tracker, or a calendar, to keep track of your usernames, passwords, and deadlines. Use a phone or paper calendar to keep track of upcoming deadlines

Legal Name- FAFSA requires the legal name on a social security card. Failure to use this legal name can cause rejection/complication issues.

Legal names on an ORSAA help ensure we have the most accurate information possible for students – be sure to use the same name on your FAFSA/ORSAA as you do with your college applications, admissions records, and financial aid applications. This reduces risk of errors.

Email- Make sure to use a permanent, professional email address on applications and get in the habit of checking it regularly. DO NOT use a school/work email for your accounts. Many scholarships will only communicate with you via email and if you fail to check your email you might lose money that was originally awarded to you.

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Scholarships

Work Study

Loans

Grants

Get To Know Different Ways To

Pay for College

Funding Source:

Federal and State

Details:

Need-based
No repayment

Funding Source:

Privately funded

Details:

No repayment
OSAC, local, national

Funding Source:

Federal

Details:

On & off campus employment

Funding Source:

Federal & Private

Details:

Must be repaid with interest

Notes:

Grants are usually funded by either the state or federal government. State grants include the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise Grant, Oregon Tribal Student Grant, and the Oregon Student Child Care Grant and more. Federal grants include the Federal Pell Grant (operated by Department of Education) and Chafee Education and Training Grant (though Chafee is operated on a state-level, it is funded by the federal government). Grants do not need to be repaid and primarily awarded based on financial need. Grants applications can be found at OregonStudentAid.gov. Many grants require a student to be enrolled at least half-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Scholarships: Nationally, OSAC is unique in its public-private partnership with donors, offering more than 600 scholarship opportunities for Oregon students. More than 3,700 awards totaling over $17 million are distributed annually, and a simple scholarship application process allows students to apply to these using a single application. It is this “one-stop shopping” scholarship process that makes it easy for students to apply using one common application. Scholarships do not need to be repaid. Many other community, private, and institutional scholarships have their own application processes.

Work Study is a federal program that helps students earn financial funding through a part-time work program. These job opportunities are specifically intended for students, so the work schedule will prioritize a student’s class schedule. These roles are typically need-based aid and often require a FAFSA. Different schools will have different work-study options available.

Loans MUST be repaid. Because loans obligate future income, they should be the last option that students and their families utilize to finance education. Students who need to rely on loans should always borrow the minimum necessary amount. A tip about Federal Student Loans should be looked at before private loans because of interest rates, payment plans, etc?

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Cost of

Attendance

Cost of Attendance

(COA)

“Sticker Price” to attend a college

Average college costs including tuition, fees, books, misc. and living expenses

It is NOT your bill

Costs can vary from school-to-school

Used to determine a student’s financial need calculation

Notes:

Cost of Attendance is not what students and families should expect to pay, think of it like a “estimated sticker price” for college or an average price to attend a particular college. The actual cost to attend college will depend on different circumstances like financial aid and living situations.

The Cost of Attendance will differ from school to school because the cost to got to PCC is different then the cost to attend Lewis and Clark or PSU.

COA is used to determine a student’s financial need calculation.

A Cost of Attendance (COA) document for the school year is available on HECC website which includes Oregon community colleges, Oregon public universities, and most Oregon-based private non-profit colleges. You can also find a COA list in the ECMC booklets or on institutions websites or via catalogs.

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Student Aid

Index

Student Aid Index

(SAI)

A formula used to determine your eligibility for financial aid

Determined by data reported on the FAFSA/ORSAA

It is not your bill

Formally EFC

Used to determine a student’s financial need calculation

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Financial

Need

Financial Need

A formula used to determine the amount of need-based aid you can receive

COA - SAI = Financial Need

Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

You cannot receive more need-based aid than the amount of your financial need

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Overview

FAFSA/ORSAA

FAFSA

ORSAA

FAFSA:

Likely Opens in Dec
U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens
Used to access Federal and State financial aid, and many scholarships
Updated Form

ORSAA:

Likely Opens in Dec
Oregon students who are undocumented, or have DACA/TPS status
Used to access state financial aid, and many scholarships
Updated Form

Only File 1

If you are unsure which form to complete use the OSAC FAFSA/ORSAA filter tool

Notes-

FAFSA- Stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid

ORSAA- Stands for Oregon Student Aid Application

Both the FAFSA and ORSAA are free applications and students should never pay to complete these forms

Many scholarship and grant applications, including the OSAC scholarship require completing a FAFSA or ORSAA application. Scholarships may require a FAFSA or ORSAA even if it’s not a need-based scholarship.

Both the FAFSA and the ORSAA will likely open in December, but students only need to complete one of the applications. Complete the FAFSA if you are a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen and complete the ORSAA if you are undocumented, have DACA, or TPS status. If you are unsure which form to complete you can use the quiz on the OregonStudentAid.gov website.

International students or those with a valid visa are not eligible to submit either application.

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Update

Better FAFSA/ORSAA

5 Things to know about changes to the FAFSA and ORSAA

Both the FAFSA and the ORSAA will have significant changes

These changes will impact the 2024-2025 aid year (students attending college in the Fall of 2024- Spring 2025)

Applications will likely open in December 2023

OSAC will keep you updated on changes

Don’t panic, we are here to help

Notes-

Recently Federal legislators passed the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act as a way to make it easier for students to apply for Federal financial aid by significantly reducing the number of questions on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.

Because of the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act the FAFSA and the ORSAA will have significant changes, which means if you’ve completed the FAFSA or ORSAA in the past the process may look a little different. If you’ve never completed a FAFSA or ORSAA then the good news is that it should be easier to complete a FAFSA or ORSAA.

Many of these changes will impact students who are planning on going to college starting in the fall of 2024 (for example graduating high school seniors).

One of the biggest changes that we know of is that both the FAFSA and ORSAA will likely open in December of 2023 instead of the Fall of 2023.

New updates are coming out periodically, so make sure to keep checking with OSAC to stay current on any changes to the FAFSA or ORSAA.

If you need help completing the FAFSA or ORSAA OSAC is here to help you.

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The OSAC

Student Portal

Create a Student Account

Applications and Awards:

Oregon Promise Grant
Chafee Grant
Child Care Grant
Oregon Tribal Student Grant
OR National Guard State Tuition Assistance
OSAC Scholarships

OregonStudentAid.Gov

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Creating An

OSAC Portal Account

Use your legal name, make sure it is the same name as the one on your FAFSA/ORSAA

Password must be 12 characters including digits, upper case letter, lower case letter, and symbol (e.g. @$%)

https://app.oregonstudentaid.gov/

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Getting To Know The

Oregon Opportunity Grant

Open to all Oregon residents who meet EFC limit and FAFSA/ORSAA deadline

Supports undergraduate students at eligible Oregon colleges

No additional application, students only need to file a FAFSA/ORSAA as soon as possible after the forms open

Maximum award for

2023-24 (full time)

Community College- $3,900
4-Year Institution- $7,524

Notes:

Oregon Opportunity Grant is Oregon’s largest need-based grant program for Oregon students planning to go to college. Students are eligible to receive this grant up to four years.

Eligibility:

Open to Oregon residents who attend an eligible postsecondary school in Oregon
Haven’t already earned a baccalaureate degree
Enrolled at least half-time (award will be prorated for half-time enrollment)
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Priority goes to those with financial need
Must meet EFC limit and FAFSA/ORSAA cutoff date
Additional eligibility requirements for ORSAA students (must meet tuition equity requirements)

File the FAFSA/ORSAA: all FAFSA and ORSAA filers are automatically considered for the Oregon Opportunity Grant and will be notified of their award via email.

File as soon as possible once it opens likely in December1. OOG funds are awarded until funds are depleted.
Resolve any errors as quickly as possible, OSAC cannot award OOG to FAFSA/ORSAA with error codes

OOG is not available for out of state and for-profit schools
OOG does not award funds for summer quarter

Priority: goes to those with financial need, based on the applicant’s EFC. Applying does NOT guarantee an award.

The EFC limit for 2022/23 is $8,000 (increase over several previous years at $3,500). See the OSAC website for additional details. https://oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/oregon-opportunity-grant/

Funds are only disbursed for the fall, winter, and spring terms each year. OOG does not disburse grant funds during the summer.

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Getting To Know The

Oregon Promise Grant

EFC may be considered, and EFC criteria is subject to change

Helps pay tuition costs at an Oregon Community College

Must begin community College immediately, within 6 months of HS/GED® graduation

New HS or GED® test graduates

2.0 cumulative GPA
145+ on all GED tests

$

Notes:

Oregon Promise helps pay tuition at an Oregon community college up to 90 credits for recent high school and GED test graduates

Eligibility:

Be a recent Oregon high school graduate or Oregon GED Test graduate
Have documentation for a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher (or pass all GED tests). Transcript is either provided by student or though the high school registrar completing the GPA verification process in the OSAC partner portal.
Be enrolled at least half-time at an Oregon community college within 6 months of high school graduation or GED completion (typically the next college term excluding summer)
Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to college attendance

Keeping Eligibility:

Maintain good satisfactory academic progress with community college
Be enrolled in at least 6 credits per term
Have no gaps in enrollment (except summers)
No more than 90 college credits attempted or completed (includes credits attempted while in HS and dual enrollment)
Submit FAFSA/ORSAA by June 1 each year

EFC Disclaimer:

Your eligibility may be determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and this criteria is subject to change. The EFC limit would typically be much higher than the limit for the OOG or Federal Pell Grant. OSAC encourages all interested students to apply by their deadline, regardless of their income level or EFC. EFC limits are determined in the spring prior to the new academic year.

Even if there is a tentative EFC limit set and the application is still open, STILL APPLY. The application will not stop a student from submitting their application if they are over an EFC limit since the EFC limit can change later after the application closes when OSAC re-evaluates total applicant pool and available funds.

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More Information About The

Oregon Promise Grant

How to Apply:

File your FAFSA/ ORSAA, list an Oregon Community College

Complete the Oregon Promise application in the OSAC Student Portal

Amount:

In 2023-2024

Full-time students: $2,058-$4,248

Oregon Promise award amount depends on several factors

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Deadlines

Oregon Promise Grant

I am graduating from:	I am graduating during this time:	Deadline to complete both: Oregon Promise App and FAFSA/ORSAA	You must start community college by this term:
High School or Home School	March 1 – June 30	June 1	Fall
	July 1 – Nov. 30	Nov. 1	Winter
	Oct. 1 – Feb. 29	Feb. 1	Spring

GED® Program	March 1 – June 30	July 10	Fall
	July 1 – Nov. 30	Dec. 10	Winter
	Oct. 1 – Feb. 29	March 10	Spring

You must apply DURING senior year before graduation

or immediately after GED® test completion

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Part 1

OSAC Grant Programs

Chafee Training

Grant:

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance:

For dependents of officers harmed in the line of duty

For foster youth under 26 years old

Oregon Tribal Student Grant:

For members of Oregon’s

Federally recognized tribes

Deceased/ Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant:

For current and drilling members of Air/Army Guard

Notes:

Chafee Education & Training Grant: federal grant (FAFSA required) for current and former foster youth under 26 years old

Funding: Award amounts may vary and will be awarded based on availability of funds. Students can use funds for up to 5 years of postsecondary education or until the term in which they turn 26, whichever comes first. The program is federally-funded, but OSAC disburses the funds and foster status is confirmed by the Oregon Dept of Human Services: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/
Application is available in the Student Portal from November 1 to March 1. the application deadline is based on the term you plan to start college please see our website for additional information: https://oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/chafee-education-and-training-grant/
Eligibility: currently be in child welfare foster care OR had been in child welfare foster care for at least 180 days after your 14th birthday and exited substitute care at age 16 or older OR be a former foster youth who was adopted or entered into a guardianship on or after your 13th birthday AND your adoption/guardianship was finalized after 9/1/15. Must also be enrolled at least half-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Oregon Tribal Student Grant: A state grant, FAFSA or ORSAA required for individuals who are members of one of Oregon’s nine Federally recognized tribes

Funding: Award amounts vary, but will cover up to the cost of attendance at Oregon Public institutions for students pursuing their first Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree
Application: The final deadline to apply is April 5^th 2024
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled member of one of Oregon’s 9 Federally recognized tribes

ONGSTA (Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance)

Overview: To provide funding for tuition (at in-state residency rates) for Oregon community colleges (up to 90 credits) and public universities (up to 180 credits) for current Oregon National Guard members.
Guard Qualifications: Complete any military basic training, be currently drilling, have a current passing Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) score, be a member of the Oregon National (air or army) Guard, and not currently the subject of any adverse actions.
Education Qualifications: Not have achieved a prior baccalaureate degree, not be default/owe a refund on any federal Title IV loan, be enrolled and in good standing in an associate/baccalaureate degree program at an eligible Oregon institution, accept any other federal and state grants offered, and complete your guard-specific tuition-assistance application. (The GI Bill is not considered in the ONGSTA calculation.)
Application Deadlines: Sept 13 (fall term), Nov 28 (winter term), Mar 20 (spring term), Apply before first day of summer term at your institution (summer term)

Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant Applicants for awards must be dependents of a public safety officer in the state of Oregon who was killed or disabled in the line of duty (as defined by ORS 243.954).

Eligible dependents include: the natural child, adopted child, or stepchild of eligible public safety officers.
Eligible public safety officers include: Corrections officers, Fire service professionals, Parole and probation officers, Police officers, Reserve officers, and Youth correction officers.
Award can be for up to full tuition and fees, depending on the applicant’s financial resources and the cost of attendance.
Timeline: There is no formal application deadline, but students should file the Application and Certification at the same time that you file the FAFSA or ORSAA.

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Part 2

OSAC Grant Programs

Barber & Hairdresser

Grant:

Oregon Teacher Scholars Grant:

Student Child

Care Grant:

For students with children age

12 and under

For ethnically diverse and/or a heritage speakers of a language other than English in the final two years of an approved Oregon preliminary teacher licensure program.

For students with financial need attending participating programs

Notes:

Barber & Hairdresser Grant

Application: Students apply by completing the FAFSA and attending an eligible school. You can apply any time. However, your information must be received by the school you plan to attend no later than February 1 of the award year.
Eligibility: students who have financial need and chosen by their school’s financial aid office. A list of eligible intuitions is on our website: https://oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/oregon-barber-and-hairdresser-grant-program/

Student Child Care Grant: The application process will open from January to May 31.

Children: awards based on the number of and ages of children. Children must be age 12 and under (or, if over 12, satisfy requirements for special needs). Must utilize a registered Oregon childcare provider
Priority goes to prior-year recipients who continue to meet all eligibility criteria, and subsequently to new applicants based on need, credits earned to-date, and enrollment status. Student cannot not be in default on any federal Title IV loans.

Oregon Teacher Scholars Grant

Awarded to ethnically diverse and/or a heritage speakers of a language other than English who are enrolled in an Oregon preliminary teacher or other preliminary school professional license program, registered or certified by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.
Students must complete an application in addition to the FAFSA or ORSAA each year.

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What Are The Parts Of The

OSAC Scholarships

$

Student Profile:

Basic contact information and background questions

Personal Statements:

Three required essays and one optional essay that helps you tell your story

Transcripts:

List of classes and grades, must be uploaded to the portal

Activities Chart

A breakdown of your school and volunteer activities and paid work

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Mark Your Calendars

OSAC Scholarship Timeline

FAFSA/ORSAA Opens

Students and families can start the FAFSA or ORSAA

Dec

Early Bird Deadline

Submit error free application by 5pm (PST) and you could be eligible to win a $1,000 scholarship

FEB 15

Final Deadline

Application and all required documents

Submitted by April 1^st

April 1

OSAC Scholarship Opens

Students can start the OSAC scholarship application

Nov 1

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Student Portal

Check your Application Status Message, in your student portal

Update your email, contact info, and college plans

Check your student portal April - August to see if you’ve been awarded

If awarded accept or decline the award, write a thank you letter, celebrate

What Happens

Check your Student Portal often for your application status message. If it says “Review Pending,” keep checking back until it says “Valid Application Accepted.” If it says, “Application Problem,” make the correction and submit by the deadline indicated in your status message.
Keep your email address on file up-to-date. This is one of the ways OSAC notifies you about scholarships. Also keep your name, address, phone number, email, college, or mage updated in the portal.
Check April through August to see if you have been awarded a scholarship and if awarded, accept or decline it online. CHECK YOUR PROFILE FREQUENTLY for the status of scholarships.

If awarded:

Log into your Student Portal and accept your scholarship award. Failure to accept this award may delay or terminate your award and delay awarding an alternate recipient.
Write a thank you letter to the donor of your scholarship award. The address will be provided during the award acceptance process.
OSAC sends funds to your school’s financial aid office prior to the beginning of each term/semester. Your scholarship award is prorated for each term/semester. If you do not attend school for a term(s), you will not receive that portion of your award. You must maintain the required enrollment status and satisfactory academic progress to receive disbursements throughout the year. Scholarships must be used for educational expenses as defined by your school (tuition, student fees, room and board, books, transportation, and education-related personal costs).

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Examples Of

OSAC Scholarships

Fred Fields

$4,000 - $10,000

Industrial Engineering, Business, or CTE majors @ a CC

Trail Blazers Legend

Up to $2,500

Oregon HS graduates, Community Service

Notes-

OSAC Scholarships:

OSAC’s private scholarship opportunities are the result of generous donations from individuals, businesses, civic organizations, employers, foundations and financial institutions. These scholarships are for Oregon graduating high school seniors, college undergraduates, graduate students, community college students, and transfer students. Some private scholarships are specifically designated for students with specific needs or circumstances, such as part-time and returning older students, military veterans, foster youth, home-schooled students, and GED students.

Amount details:

Award amounts range from $500 to $40,000.
30% of the awards are for at least $5,000.
Over 75% of OSAC scholarships are available to students who are not citizens.

A lot of times students don’t think that they can find a scholarship… we have over 600 scholarships chances are we have some that will work for you. Here are some examples (read slide)

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More Examples Of

OSAC Scholarships

Franz and Kathryn

Stenzel I

$5,000

Medical-field, HS GPA 2.75+, College GPA 2.5+

$5,000

Non-traditional, first-gen students, non-medical field

Franz and Kathryn

Stenzel II

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$

All About The OSAC Scholarship Application

Transcripts

Details

A missing or incomplete transcript is the only reason your OSAC scholarship will be rejected

Students may request that their High School Registrar upload the transcript

Scan and upload the transcript

Mail a hardcopy, please remove or render illegible the Social Security Number

Tips!

Transcripts sent via email will not be accepted

Notes-

Transcripts: A missing or incomplete transcript is the ONLY reason a submitted scholarship application will be rejected. Students may request of their High School to make an electronic submissions. Otherwise, a student can either scan and upload the transcript, or send in a hardcopy (in which case the Social Security Number must be removed or rendered illegible).

Graduating high school seniors must submit transcripts with complete grades through either the first semester/trimester or second quarter. If you are dual-enrolled in college courses, include that transcript as well.
College students must submit transcripts that include all coursework through the fall semester/quarter, unless their most recent coursework is more than 10 years old (see detailed Transcript Instructions online).

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All About The OSAC Scholarship Application

Transcripts

High School

Students:

Must include grades 9-11

Must include 12^th grade fall term grades (usually ready in Jan/Feb)

Home School

Students:

See our website for additional instructions

College Students

Transcript must include all classes through fall term

Notes-

Transcripts: A missing or incomplete transcript is the ONLY reason a submitted scholarship application will be rejected. Students may request of their High School to make an electronic submissions. Otherwise, a student can either scan and upload the transcript, or send in a hardcopy (in which case the Social Security Number must be removed or rendered illegible).

Graduating high school seniors must submit transcripts with complete grades through either the first semester/trimester or second quarter. If you are dual-enrolled in college courses, include that transcript as well.
College students must submit transcripts that include all coursework through the fall semester/quarter, unless their most recent coursework is more than 10 years old (see detailed Transcript Instructions online).

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$

All About The OSAC Scholarship Application

Personal Statements

Details

3 required essays, 1 optional essay
250 word limit per essay

Fact

Statements are designed for you to tell a complete picture of yourself

Myth

“You need to have a traumatic experience” for your application to stand out
Share your authentic experience!

Tip!

You may be able to use these statements for other scholarship applications!
Try not to repeat info like GPA

Notes-

These statements are designed to provide selection committees a more complete picture of an applicant than what can be determined based on GPA, test scores, and transcripts alone. Since these questions are widely applicable to other scholarship applications, you can likely use them for other scholarship applications.

The OSAC scholarship application includes 4 short essays. Each essay is limited to 250 words.

You can copy and paste your personal statement from a Word document into your Scholarship Application. To ensure a proper transfer of material from a digital copy to the application, print a copy of the statement from your application.

Note that students do not need to have a traumatic experience that they need to write about; it is important to share their authentic experiences and students do not have to divulge something they would prefer to keep private.

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What Are The Personal Statement

Prompts

Required: What are your specific educational plans and career goals and why? What motivates you to achieve them?

2. Required: What have you done for your family, school or community, that you care about the most and why?

3. Required: Describe a personal accomplishment, impactful change, or experience that has occurred in your life. What skills and strengths were needed to respond and what did you learn about yourself.

4. Optional: Is there any additional information you would like the selection committee members to know. This could include financial situations not reflected on the FAFSA/ORSAA or other information not covered in the application. This statement is not required and will not have any negative effect on the application if left blank.

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$

All About The OSAC Scholarship Application

Activities Chart

Details

You are limited to 20 activities

Include:

Dates
Hours logged
Responsibilities accomplished for each activity

Include:

School activities
Volunteering (community and family)
Paid work history

Tip!

Try and include a mix of activities that help you look well-rounded

Notes:

Activities: avoid using abbreviations for activities

Examples: playing on a soccer team, participating in student government, volunteering at the animal shelter, providing child care, working a summer job, or babysitting

Details for Activities: dates, hours logged, responsibilities/accomplishments; the limit is 20 activities

Selection committees see this section valuable in evaluating qualities of leadership, decision making, and organizational skills in applicants. It is also a great place for applicants to register special recognitions they have received, activities they have participated in, or employment history they have which are not otherwise specifically requested on the application.

Scholarship committees like to see well-rounded individuals (smart, active, helpful, interesting/unique)

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Application Tips

Telling Your Story

How do you spend your time outside of class?

School Activities

Volunteer Activities

Academic Awards

Family Responsibilities

Employment

More Tips:

JR and SR: Build a resume

All Grades: Maintain an activities log

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OSAC Scholarship Application Tips:

How to Stand Out

Extracurricular

Volunteering

Unique Skills

Unique skills

Highlight any community service you’ve done

Feature sports, clubs, & activities you engage in

Share your unique skills or accomplishments

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OSAC Scholarship Application Tips:

Who Reads Your Application?

Former Teachers

Donors

Volunteers

What does this

mean for you?

Tip:

Answer the entire question

Tip:

Avoid using slang, abbreviations, and humor

Tip:

Avoid repeating the question

Tip:

Proofread your application and get feedback

Notes-

Readers are often current or former educators, so things like spelling, punctuation, and grammar are very important (in addition to content). Those aspects also make the essays much easier to understand and will help the readers know what you are trying to say. Avoid abbreviations and slang that older readers likely will not be familiar with.
Don’t recycle a prior semi-related essay and try to fit it into the prompt. Create a genuine, well-crafted essay. Readers can spot a form letter.
Avoid reciting repeat information that the readers will already have through another source. As an example, there’s no reason to discuss your GPA unless it is relevant to a story you are telling. The committee will already have an applicant’s transcript information on hand.
Applicants should emphasize what they have done by providing concrete examples. Don’t focus only on your future plans.
As funny as an applicant may be, excessive humor is best saved for later. In this setting, it carries the unnecessary risk of making the applicant seem insincere or ungrateful. Humor may also not come off with the same tone in text as it does when said aloud.
Applicants should be as precise and thoughtful with their words as they can be. 250 words can be used up very quickly, so eliminating fluff is necessary.
Enjoy the opportunity! Committees are interested to learn about applicants and their unique stories.

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Scholarship

Search Tips

Use your HS college/career center or ASPIRE center

Local community service groups

Education-based non-profits

The college you plan on attending

Employers or organizations where you and your family members are members

When looking for other scholarships, it pays to look local

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Your

Next Steps

File your FAFSA/ORSAA early!

Bookmark OregonStudentAid.Gov

Make an OSAC Student Portal Profile

Apply for Oregon Promise

Apply for OSAC Scholarships

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Follow Us On

Social Media

OSAC Oregon

OSACOregon

OregonStudentAid

@OSAC

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Contact

Information

Name:

Email:

More information at: OregonStudentAid.Gov