STATE OF OREGON FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)

1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100

Eugene, OR 97401

Main Phone: (541) 687-7400

Grants and Scholarships (541) 687-7414

http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/pnp-get-financial-aid.aspx

Go to this website for all the information on the different programs.

The following are financial aid program available to students who are residents of the state of Oregon.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

Formerly the State Need Grant, the Oregon Opportunity Grant is available for up to 12 terms or 8 semesters.

Established in 1971 by Oregon Legislature to assist needy students attending community colleges, OUS institutions, and private independent 4-year institutions in Oregon.

Eligibility based on financial need, determined by family income and household size:

• For dependent students, 55% of Oregon median family income (MFI)
• For independent students, 50% MFI, and 30% MFI for singles.

Other Criteria

• Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States
• Be a resident of Oregon*
• Be an undergraduate student with no prior baccalaureate degrees)
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree-granting program at a participating 2- or 4-year Oregon postsecondary institution (exceptions for disabled students)
• Be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Have no defaults or owe refunds on any federal Title IV loan
• Meet federal Selective Service registration and illegal drug conviction requirements
• Not be incarcerated
• Not be enrolled in a program leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education

Tribal Residency

The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC), administrator of the Oregon Opportunity Grant, OSAC Private Scholarships and other student financial assistance programs, have expanded the definition of “resident of Oregon.” Now included are students who are (1) enrolled members of federally recognized tribes of Oregon or (2) who are enrolled members of federally recognized Native American tribes which had traditional and customary tribal boundaries that included parts of the state of Oregon or which had ceded or reserved lands within the state of Oregon, regardless of their state of residence.

OSAC Scholarships

The OSAC administers more than 300 different scholarships available to Oregon Residents. Go to www.getcollegefunds.org to see the OSAC scholarship catalog and to download an application.

Oregon Barber and Hairdresser (B&H) Grant Program

Who can apply?

You must be a resident of Oregon who is attending or will attend a licensed school of barbering, hair design, cosmetology, or manicure in Oregon that participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. You must enroll full-time in a program which is at least nine months long or 900 clock hours. You must have a significant need for financial help.

Chafee Education and Training Grant

Eligibility for the Chafee Grant

Foster youth have hopes and dreams of a successful future just like other young people who have graduated or obtained their GED. The only difference is that many foster youth don’t have a family to fall back on for assistance. The State of Oregon and the federal government are helping support foster youth who wish to continue their education and training after high school.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Independent Living Program (ILP) has received Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) funding to help current or former foster care youth with postsecondary education and training.

Youth may be eligible to receive up to $3,000* per academic year. To be eligible, you must:

1. Currently be in foster care, or
2. Had been in foster care for at least 180 days (six months) after your 14th birthday and exited substitute care at age 16 or older
3. Be participating in the voucher program on your 21st birthday***. Youth may then continue to apply/receive funds until they turn 23 years old as long as they are enrolled in a post secondary education or training program and making satisfactory progress toward completion of that program.

* $3,000 is the maximum amount available to youth each academic year. The actual maximum amount will be determined by the date that the Application is received and the unmet need of the applicant (see Application Deadlines for specifics).
**Foster care placement must have been with either Oregon’s DHS child welfare (formerly SCF), or one of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. If you reside outside of Oregon, were never in foster care in Oregon, and will be attending school in your home state or another state outside of Oregon, please contact the Chafee program within your home state.
*** If a youth’s 21^st birthday falls outside the regular school dates (i.e. summer term), then we will look at the term prior to the student’s 21^st birthday to verify that the student was receiving ETV funds on their 21^st birthday

Oregon Student Child Care Grant

Please be aware that funding for the grant has not yet been finalized by the state legislature. We will update this notice periodically. Please check back for updates regarding the awarding process.

Preferences in awarding :

• Preference #1: Prior year recipients who complete a new application, maintain a child care provider registered with the Oregon Department of Human Services or registered/certified with the Child Care Division of the Oregon Department of Employment, and submit copies of transcripts and proof of child care expenses.
• Preference #2: New applicants who demonstrate financial need and who are closest to completing to their academic goals.

Purpose:

The Oregon Student Child Care Grant Program was established to assist parents enrolled in post-secondary education obtain safe, dependable care that supports their children’s development while allowing completion of the parent’s academic programs.

Eligibility:

To receive financial aid from this program an applicant must:

• Be an Oregon resident with a child or legal dependent age 12 and under in need of child care, or, if over age 12, who satisfies the requirements of special needs;
• Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States;
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate at an Oregon postsecondary institution (Oregon postsecondary institutions include Oregon community colleges, public universities, and private universities. There are some for-profit postsecondary institutions which have campuses in Oregon but are owned by corporations based outside of Oregon. Enrollment at those non-Oregon based institutions disqualifies applicants from receiving the Oregon Student Child Care Grant);
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
• Not be in default on any federal Title IV loan or owing a refund on federal Title IV funds previously disbursed.

Priority in Awarding:

Among applicants who meet the eligibility criteria of this program, priority in the selection process shall be given in the following rank order:

1. A prior recipient of benefits of the Student Child Care Grant who maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by this program, who has continuing financial need, continues use of a provider who meets registration requirements, and who has not exhausted maximum award eligibility.
2. New applicants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Financial need.
2. Students’ credits earned toward a Certificate, Associates Degree, or first Bachelor’s Degree.
3. Use of childcare providers who are listed with the Oregon Department of Human Services, or, registered or certified with the Oregon Child Care Division.
4. Students enrolled full-time.
5. Students enrolled half-time if awarded, you must enroll with sufficient hours to earn 36 credit hours (24 at semester schools) per academic year.

Application Process:

• The 2015-16 academic year application will be available in mid January, 2015. Please check back then for the specific date.

For more information, contact:

carol.l.cornacchia@state.or.us

Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grants

Applicants for awards must be dependents of a public safety officer in the state of Oregon, as defined by ORS 237.610, who was killed or disabled in the line of duty. Eligible dependents include the child or stepchild of eligible public safety officers.

Eligible public safety officers include:

Firefighters

State Fire Marshal, chief deputy fire marshal and deputy state fire marshals

Police chiefs and police officers

Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs

County adult parole and probation officers

Correction officers

Investigators of the criminal justice division of the Department of Justice

Applicants must be Oregon residents, enrolled or planning to enroll as full?time undergraduate students and determined by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission to have financial need.

Complete the Application and Certification of Eligibility for the Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant on page three (3) of this document. This is a fillable PDF document which you will not be able to save, so be sure to print it out before closing. After completing, printing out and signing the form, have the supervisor of the deceased or disabled public safety officer complete the certification section at the bottom.

You also must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) need analysis form for the academic year for which you are applying as soon after January 1 as possible.

For More Information:

www.osac.state.or.us

JOBS Plus Program

The Individual Education Account (IEA) was created as a section of Ballot Measure 7 passed by a vote of the people of Oregon in 1990. The measure created the JOBS Plus Program. The statute (ORS 411.894(1)) states “The Oregon JOBS Plus Individual Education Account is established in order to improve the position of JOBS Plus participants in the workforce by increasing their access to continuing education.” Since then, thousands of people have participated in the JOBS Plus Program and have benefited from the opportunity to further their education and work skills.

Eligibility to participate in the JOBS Plus program is determined by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). Recipients of The Aid to Needy Families (TANF) benefits and Food Stamps may qualify. To find out if you are eligible, please contact the office of the Oregon Department of Human Services closest to your residence address. The Oregon Student Assistance Commission can not determine eligibility, and only works with the program after the participant has completed their temporary job rotation and the Individual Education Account is transferred to us from DHS.

Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC)

The Oregon Youth Conservation Corps builds on the strong connections between positive work experiences, work skills, personal responsibility, and itscommitment to education and future employment for youth. For more information on the Corps, visit their website www.oycc.state.or.us/

ASPIRE

About ASPIRE

Administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, ASPIRE (Access to Student assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) is Oregon’s official mentoring program to help students access education and training beyond high school. Students receive information about college options, admission, and financial aid from trained and supportive, ASPIRE volunteer mentors who work one-on-one with them throughout the year. Beginning with just four pilot schools in 1998, ASPIRE has expanded to 115 sites across Oregon. ASPIRE serves students by:

• Helping high schools build a sustainable community of volunteer advisors
• Educating students and families about the scholarship application process and other options for paying for postsecondary education
• Providing advising, resources, and encouragement to help students access education and training beyond high school