Recently, Affordable Colleges Online ranked Oregon State as a top affordable college with high return.  Affordable Colleges Online checked data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Carnegie Classification and Payscale.com data, which leverages surveys from hundreds of thousands of people (employees, employers, job seekers) from the public and private sectors, regarding salary information by school, occupational field, at various points in a career lifecycle.

Oregon State University was one of only four universities in the Pacific Northwest to grace the affordability list with a $279,000 return on academic investment.  Check out the entire list here.

Thanks for reading…
CYN

I bet a lot of students are celebrating the ending of their school year by relaxing, working a summer job, hanging out with friends or just enjoying their free time.  Some students are looking back at the completion of their sophomore or junior year and might not even be thinking about the next big step; going to college.  Here is a little secret from me to prospective students…summer is a wonderful time to visit Oregon State University!

Our Campus Visitor Center is open during the week and excited to welcome interested students and their families to explore our beautiful campus and programs.  The Campus Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday with current OSU students leading tours at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm with the last tour departing at 3pm.  On top of the campus tour, visiting prospective students can take advantage of a housing tour, specific college tours, meet with University Honors College and if available an appointment with an Academic Advisor and Admissions Representative.

For the best on campus experience, I would advise students to register for the tour a few weeks before arriving on campus.  By registering early, our team is able to personalize the visit to the best of our ability.  Please click here to sign up for a tour or call Campus Visitor Center directly at 541-737-2626 or 800-291-4192.   The center will email a personalize schedule and a free parking pass before the visit.

With all this great news, what are you waiting for?  Sign up for a summer visit now!

Thanks for reading…
CYN

You can accept your Financial Aid award through Student Online Services. By accepting your award, you are stating that you have read, understand, and accept the Terms and Conditions of your award. You may accept all or a portion of aid awarded to you. For step by step instructions through this process click here.

Scholarship award offers were mailed separately from a financial aid award letter. Scholarship offers must be signed and returned to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. They cannot be accepted online.

If you have additional questions regarding this process please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 541-737-2241 or financial.aid@oregonstate.edu.

-KT

To attend the event no pre registration is required and the event is free.  There will be a child  care facility and food will also be provided. Si Se Puede is open to High School students 9-12 grade.  There will be something for everyone.

Si Se Puede Info

-GG

Just got word from the scholarship coordinator that scholarship awards for fall 2012 are going out now.

In the past week they awarded and sent scholarship letters to:

-About 800 additional Academic Achievement awards in the “competitive round” (they awarded about 750 during awarding prior to Feb. 1)
-approximately 150 Presidential scholarships
-500+ Diversity Achievement awards

To date, they’ve awarded 1100 Provost Scholarships and 2300 Tuition Grant scholarships.

Their plan is still to have financial aid award letters in the mail Monday.

Have a great spring break!
-bv

The Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC) final deadline for their 2012-13 scholarships is this Monday, March 5, 2012 by 5PM. For those who are not familiar with OSAC, it is a state agency dedicated to creating a college-going culture for all Oregonians by providing access through information, mentoring, and financial support. Each year, OSAC awards grants and scholarships of more than $118 million to thousands of Oregon students in their quest to achieve a college education. If you have not yet taken advantage of these 400+ great scholarship opportunities, go ahead and fill out the OSAC Scholarship Application at http://www.getcollegefunds.org/ .

-BM

For more information visit: http://oregonstate.edu/financialaid/

-KT

1. Does OSU offer a Psychology degree?

Yes, it is a nationally top ranked psychology program.  At OSU we pride ourselves on the research that is conducted by students/professors and the psychology program is one that really encourages students to participate in psychology based research.

Psychology Degree Info

2. Does OSU have a Nursing Program?

We do not, However we do offer all the prerequisite courses that a student needs to take before applying to nursing school of your choice.  Our Advisors do a great job of working with students interested in applying to a nursing school and making sure they are on track.

Pre-Nursing FAQ

3. Do I have to live on Campus my first year and where can I live?

OSU does not have a first year student live in requirement, it is a personal choice.  Over 80% of first year students choose to live on campus.  Students who live on campus their first year have a higher GPA and it’s a great environment to meet new people and make lifetime connections.

 Housing Info

4. Are you the Beavers or the Ducks?

Home of the Beavers!

5. What is the weather like in Corvallis?

It does tend to be on the rainy side, I myself am from Eastern Oregon so I am used to dry weather with blazing summers and freezing winters.   I would just suggest investing in a good rain coat and boots.  My favorite season was fall because the temperature was in the 60/70’s and all leaves changing colors was amazing to see all around campus.

6. What is there to do in Corvallis?

There is always something going on at OSU/Corvallis.  There are several events, concerts, games going on year round at OSU.  There are over 300 clubs students can be a part of to become more involved on campus or have something fun to do.  Another great thing about OSU is the location.  We are close to the Coast if you want to have a fun beach weekend with friends and also about 90 minutes from Portland for shopping or enjoy the wonders of a big city. For the students interested in nature there are several hiking, biking, and running trail close by.

About Corvallis

7. Do you prefer the SAT or ACT and what is the required score?

It is up to the student whichever one they decide to take.   If you do decide to take the ACT make sure you also take the writing portion. There is no minimum score to apply however when it comes to scholarships your SAT or ACT test score will be taken into consideration, we encourage students to do the best they can.

OSU Admissions Info

 8. Can I study abroad?

Yes, we have over 200 study abroad programs a student can choose from depending on their major.  We have study abroad counselors who can work with students and help find the right program for you.

Study Abroad Info

9. Do you have WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)?

For out of state students we do not participate in WUE however we do offer scholarships that are comparable to what WUE would cover.  In order to apply for those you need to have completed your admissions application and turned in all required materials before the February 1^st deadline. We also encourage student to look at over avenues for scholarships like around your community,scholarship websites, and filling out your FAFSA.  For online scholarship resources, you should never have to submit your bank account or credit card number, it may be a scam.

 Financial Aid Info

10. Why should I go to OSU?

We are Oregon’s Research institution, we are one of the only two University’s in the U.S. to have all 4 designation grants which are the Land, Sun, Sea , and Space Grant.  What that means for our students is there are several opportunities for students to get involved in research and great hands on education.  At the end of the day it’s a personal choice and the best way to make the decision is to see what OSU has to offer students for yourself by coming and scheduling a campus visit.

 Schedule a Campus Visit

-GG

College Goal Oregon is a program that stems from College Goal Sunday, which started in Indiana in 1989 and has now been implemented in 47 states. Thisprogram is a partnership between OSAC, Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the YMCA, and financial support from The Lumina Foundation for Education .

College Goal Oregon

Oregon Goal College 2012 will be occurring on the Saturdays of January 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th at various locations throughout Oregon. To find a site and date for you to attend, please visit www.collegegoaloregon.gov. What documents should you bring with you? Check it out below:

• Yourself and parent/guardian if possible
• Most recent completed federal tax form. If you haven’t filled out your taxes, estimate. You can send in the exact numbers later
• Current value of assets, including cash, checking, savings, investments, and value of business/farm, if any
• Social security numbers of student and parents
• Driver’s license (if any)
• Alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen.)

Don’t miss out on such a great opportunity!

Oregon State University Financial Aid and Scholarships: http://oregonstate.edu/financialaid/

-AG

Women’s Building

Bay Area seniors and their families are invited to our annual informational session in Walnut Creek, California.  Explore OSU will be held at Embassy Suites – Walnut Creek on Sunday, October 23^rd at 3pm.  The afternoon reception will introduce our guests to OSU.  Information that will be presented during Explore OSU include our Academic Programs, Advanced Credit Opportunities for AP or IB, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Life and Extra Curricular Activities, Research Opportunities, International Programs and more.

Pre-registration for the event is strongly encouraged. Bay Area students may RSVP for the program as well as find directions and parking information by visiting the following website:  http://oregonstate.edu/exploreosu/.

Explore OSU Bay Area
Embassy Suites – Walnut Creek
1345 Treat Boulevard
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Event Date: Sunday, October 23rd
Event Start Time: 3pm
We hope all students are settling into the school year well and gearing up for the opportunities that lie ahead!

Thanks for reading…
cyn