Scholarship Season Begins for Oregon Students
Scholarship season is now underway for the 2010-11 academic year. OSAC administers more than 400 private scholarship programs and public grant programs to help students finance their college education. Searching and applying for these scholarships using the OSAC eApp is free at www.GetCollegeFunds.org.
To help students apply online OSAC produced the 2010-11 Oregon Scholarship eApp Workbook and sent copies to all Oregon high schools, colleges, libraries, and employment offices. The workbook and a detailed scholarship catalog are also available online. “Students can easily search for scholarships by the Oregon high school they attended, academic and career interests, specific populations such as foster youth, older adults, college transfer students, veterans, and by the private donor or honor name,” according to Vicki Merkel, Scholarship and Access Program Director at OSAC.
The workbook also includes a worksheet that mirrors the eApp and is designed to help students prepare information before entering their data online. It helps minimize errors that can lead to applications being rejected and provides an efficient way to transfer information and a list of scholarships to the online application, Merkel said. “Last year 99% of students applied online however students without internet access can request a paper application by contacting OSAC at 800-452-8807.
According to Merkel, a new online feature this year is the ability for graduating high school seniors to upload their Career Information System Activities Chart into their OSAC eApp. Or, applicants can enter their activities directly into their eApp. Another new online feature planned for release in December, is the ability for an applicant to export their eApp data directly to other online applications using the National Scholarship Providers Association data standards, such as the Dell Foundation. For additional application enhancements click on OSAC eApp Updates.
OSAC also partners with The Oregon Community Foundation and The Ford Family Foundation to administer scholarships. Donors determine the award eligibility criteria that may include the student’s year in college, major, career interest, county of residence and the type of school where the student will use their award.
OSAC encourages applicants to make sure they or their high school submits the correct transcript with the scholarship application. An incorrect transcript is the number one reason why applications are rejected, so it is important students read the eApp transcript instructions, carefully, Merkel said.
OSAC plans to begin early review of submitted applications on January 19, 2010. Applicants who submit their applications by the Early Bird deadline of February 16 will receive a priority review with an opportunity to submit corrections if errors are found. The final deadline for all applicants is March 1. Awards are announced between May and July.
According to Merkel, OSAC disbursed nearly $14 million in scholarships and grants for the 2008-09 academic year to Oregon graduating high school seniors, college students, older adults returning to school, part-time students, and individuals with specific training needs. “In addition to state and federal grants, private donors, employers, and membership organizations provide many of the scholarship opportunities that OSAC administers. We are grateful for their gifts that benefit so many Oregon students pursuing a college education,” Merkel said. “This public/private partnership model is unique in the nation.”
Students wishing to keep apprised of new scholarships, tips, and deadlines, can follow OSAC on Twitter at Twitter.com/OSAC. For details, visit www.GetCollegeFunds.org or contact OSAC at 800-452-8807.
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