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

www.osac.state.or.us

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 (applicable for 2007-08)
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.

You should NOT apply for a B&H Grant if:

you are in prison
you will be concurrently enrolled in high school and the beauty or barbering program
you are in default on any Title IV funds, including Stafford Loans (formerly called Guaranteed Student Loans)

How can I apply?

You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Be sure to list the barber or beauty school you plan to attend on the FAFSA.
You can get the FAFSA at the barber or beauty school, or from the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. You can also apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Before you fill out the form, you should talk to the financial aid officer at the school to see if you might qualify for a B&H Grant.

When should I apply?

You can apply any time, however, your information must be received by the school you plan to attend no later than February 1 of the award year.
Your school will notify you if you have been selected to receive an award.

Who receives B&H Grants, and how many are awarded each year?

Because of limited funds, only students with a significant need for financial help receive B&H Grants. The number of B&H Grants depends on interest earned on the B&H fund. Usually, about 30-40 students will receive B&H Grants each year.

How much is a B&H Grant?

B&H Grants are one-time awards of between $100 and $1,500 (current award amount is $1,000).

Nursing Services Program

The Nursing Services Loan Repayment Program is administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. The due date for the 2007 Nursing Services Program application has passed, and applications are no longer being accepted. The 2008 application will be posted on this site and becomes available February 1, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Cummings via email or by phone at 1 (800) 452-8807 x7387. Awards will be made in April 2007 and all applicants will be notified in writing regarding his or her application status by May 15, 2007.

The Oregon Nursing Services Program is designed to provide student loan repayment on behalf of registered nurses (RNs) who enter into agreements to practice in “nursing critical shortage areas” in Oregon. “Nursing critical shortage area” means a locality or practice specialty identified as such by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, in consultation with the Office of Rural Health.

Participants receive annual payments toward the debt incurred during their professional nursing program in exchange for qualifying service. Annual employment verification is required.

Nurses may receive annual payments equal to 25% of their total qualifying loan principal for a minimum of two years and maximum of four years of qualifying practice. Prorated payment amounts will be made if the participant is employed in a qualifying shortage area less than full-time but at least half time.

A two-year, full-time minimum participation obligation is required to receive 50% repayment of the total principal qualifying loan debt. Maximum participation will not exceed four years of qualifying employment in order to receive 100% repayment of the total principal qualifying loan debt.

Annual payments cannot exceed $10,078 for the 2007 application year, if warranted by the total qualifying student loan debt. Maximum annual award amounts will be adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases.

Who may apply?

Students enrolled in the last year of an RN program, recent RN graduates, and RNs currently practicing may apply. Oregon residency is not required when applying. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are not eligible to apply. The application is available February 1st of each year.

Are all eligible applicants assured participation in the program?

No. New awards each year are limited to the amount of funds available to award compared to the aggregate debt of the applicants applying.
How and when do I apply?

Contact the Commission to let them know you are interested in applying to the program. Then, when an application is mailed to you during application season, complete an application and return it to the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) postmarked no later than the specified deadline.Please be complete in your responses.
Are additional documents required?

Yes. You must attach a current copy of your curriculum vitae or resume outlining your schooling and employment history. Failure to provide this information may jeopardize your ability to compete.

Loans that qualify for repayment include:

Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Nursing Student Loan - NSL
Federal Supplemental Loan for Students – SLS
Federal Direct Stafford Loan
Federal Family Educational Loan Program – FFELP Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Consolidation Loans
FFELP Consolidation Loans

Shortage Areas

For the most current list of frontier and rural designated critical nursing shortage areas, visit the Oregon Board of Nursing website at www.oregon.gov/OSBN/critical_shortage_areas.shtml or call (503) 731-4745.

State Financial Aid Information

Find state financial aid information for the specific state that you live in. Find contact information for your local federal aid office, and get details about specific federal aid programs in your area.