College Goal Oregon FAFSA Webinar
Friday, August 27, 2010
Free Help with Financial Aid Applications

Eugene OR– College-bound students and their parents who have yet to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can receive help by participating in a FAFSA webinar hosted by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

Financial aid experts will be available online at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2010.

The FAFSA determines eligibility for need-based federal, state, and campus-based financial aid programs, including the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as soon as possible to increase their chances of funding for federal aid to attend college.

To register, email contactus@AspireOregon.org.

Students should include their parent/guardian, if possible, and have on hand both their own and their parent(s) most recent completed federal income tax return; current value of assets, including cash, checking, savings, investments, and value of business/farm, if any; social security numbers (including parents or guardians); driver’s license (if any); and alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen).

Visit the website for more information at www.CollegeGoalOregon.org.

College Goal Oregon is part of the national College Goal Sunday program to help students access millions of available financial aid dollars. In 2009, over 2,400 Oregon students and 310 volunteers participated in College Goal Oregon at 28 sites. The event partners with the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, NELA Center for Student Learning, Oregon Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and YMCA and receives support from The Lumina Foundation for Education. For more information about College Goal Oregon, visit: www.CollegeGoalOregon.org.

-JM

Note, the OUS fee deferral IS NOT a fee waiver. Students will be required to pay the fee (as mentioned above) upon enrollment.

The OSU Office of Admissions has unveiled a new process by which students can claim a fee deferral.

Step 1, determine whether or not you’re eligible:

Applicants seeking admission off of their high school record must meet one or more of the following:

1. Student is now eligible for, or participates in, a free- or reduced-lunch program.
2. Student now participates in or is eligible for a TRIO-type college preparatory program such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, EOP, HEP, etc.
3. Student is a current recipient of State of Oregon or U.S. Public Assistance.
4. Student is eligible for College Board fee waiver.

Students seeking admission off of their work at a two or four year regionally accredited college or university must meet one or more of the following:

1. I am a current participant in an Equal Opportunity Program (EOP), TRIO, or other similar program at the college or university I am currently attending.
Documentation Required: Signed and dated statement from the institution’s program director, including director’s name, signature, title, and phone number.

2. My Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is: $1,000 or lower
Documentation Required: Copy of Part One of your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the institution you are currently attending.

3. I am a current recipient of State of Oregon or U.S. Public Assistance (food stamps only or food stamps, cash, and medical assistance).
Documentation Required: Signed and dated statement from your caseworker.

4. I am currently classified as a dislocated worker.
Documentation Required: Copy of Determination of Dislocated Worker Form 1992B.

5. I have authorization and certification of entrance or re-entrance into rehabilitation.
Documentation Required: Federal form from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Step 2, apply for admission:

Complete your application as you normally would. When you are ready to complete your app, you will be taken to a payment option screen:

Step 3, complete the online fee deferral form by checking the eligibility requirements that apply to you and filling out your counselor/agency official’s information (If you are first year student, use the first year checkboxes. If you are transfer student, use the transfer student checkboxes.) and submit your application:

Step 4, fax (541.737.2482) or mail (OSU Office of Admissions, 104 Kerr Admin Bldg, Corvallis, OR 97331) your completed and signed by an agency official/counselor OUS fee deferral form (PDF).

NOTE: we will not completely process your application or admit you until you have submitted the completed and signed OUS fee deferral form (PDF) for approval.

We hope that this will greatly streamline the process for claiming an OUS fee deferral. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call (1.800.291.4192) or email (osuadmit@oregonstate.edu) us directly.

-jm

During the tour, students were able to connect with at least seven Oregon public universities as well as learn about financial aid and core college requirements that can help and inspire them while planning for the future.

The end of the tour is this Friday, and representatives have collaboratively worked together to promote staying in the state. Some of the many benefits of Oregon residents pursuing a public university in Oregon include in state tuition, a variety of majors and learning environments and nationally recognized academic programs.

After conclusion of the tour, high school counselors and students may be able to have a return high school visit from Oregon State University who can can talk about the opportunity to learn more in detail about the next steps in applying to the university. These are arranged by each assigned representative and are based on scheduling availability. You can contact your county’s advisor by visiting:

http://oregonstate.edu/admissions/firstyear/recruitmap/or.php

The OSU Admissions Bloggers would like to give a shout out to OUS Tour representatives and especially to Christina Mackey from Portland State University for a job well done in organizing the tour!

(Photo from Camburg.com)

–mko