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Search and Apply
Searching for Financial Aid
Searching for financial aid can be tricky, but knowing where to look can make the process easier. Information about funding your postsecondary education is everywhere. Be sure to use the following resources:
- Ask your high school counselor for help in searching and applying for financial aid. Many high schools have scholarship pages with information just for students at their school.
- Contact the colleges of interest to you to find out what they cost and what need-based and non-need-based financial aid resources are available to you and your family. College financial aid offices are also great resources if you have general questions about financial aid or have troubles understanding your financial aid package.
- The public library is also an excellent place to find information about paying for college.
- The internet is loaded with great information. We have compiled a list of free resources to help you get started. Included are links to scholarship search websites, warnings about scholarship scams, and other informational sites about financial aid.
Remember that you must repay loans at some point in the future, so the more you borrow, the more you will have to pay back. Since scholarships do not need to be repaid, focus your search around scholarships that you are eligible for. Most of the free scholarship searches available on the internet will meet your needs, but watch out for scholarship scams.
Applying for Funding
After finding sources of financial aid that meet your needs, the next step is to apply for the aid. We have compiled a few helpful hints for submitting applications. Although it may seem repetative to fill out numerous applications, the financial help is worth it in the end. Some applications allow you to apply for many sources of financial aid at once. Two that every student should complete are listed below.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is used for to apply for major need-based financial aid programs, including federal, state, and school funding. FAFSA forms are available at all high schools and colleges and come with detailed instuctions on how to fill them out and where to send them. You can also use FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you do choose to submit your FAFSA on the Web, both you and your parents will need to obtain a Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. Remember to:
- Send in a FAFSA in January or February
- Fill out a new FAFSA each year
- Know your school's application deadlines
- Know if your school requires more than just the FAFSA
Each college that you list on the FAFSA will send a Notice of Award explaining your financial aid award and how much your family is expected to pay. If you apply in January, the Notice of Award usually arrives by April or May.
The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)
OSAC provides a large amount of scholarship money to Oregon residents. The application is available in both electronic and paper form. The electronic form can be accessed through the eApp at www.getcollegefunds.com/eapp.html. Paper copies are available at Oregon high schools and college financial aid offices. Remember to:
- Submit your application postmarked by March 1
- Fill out a new OSAC application each year
- Read and follow the application instructions carefully
Recipients are sent award letters soon after they are named. Awards are named from April 15 through August 15. Visit the OSAC website after May 15 to find out if a particular scholarship program has been awarded. If you have questions, Ask the wiseguy email.
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