If you are a student attending college in Oregon, then there are many grants and other academic funding opportunities available for you which are discussed below.
In the state of Oregon, there are the following grants and other student financial aid programs available: Oregon Opportunity Grant; OSAC Scholarships; ASPIRE; The Ford Family Foundation; Oregon Barber & Hairdressers Grant Program; Byrd Scholarship; Chafee ET Grant; Child Care Grant; JOBS Plus; OYCC; Public Safety Officer; Rural Health; Tribal Residency; and Troops to Teachers (Oregon Student Assistance Commission, 2010).
The Oregon Opportunity Grant, established in 1971, is Oregon’s largest state-funded need-based grant for postsecondary education providing more than 38,000 students with grants last year in 2008-2009 (Oregon Student Assistance Commission, 2010). The grant money from the Oregon Opportunity Grant is funded by two federal programs: the Federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Federal Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP). To apply to the Oregon Opportunity Grant, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The website for the FAFSA application is found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. The importance of a student filling out the FAFSA form is that it not only is needed for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, but it ensures student access to both federal programs (Federal Pell Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans) and to the grants and scholarships administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC). Students in Oregon should complete their FAFSA form by August 15, 2009 to receive a grant for Fall 2009 by Dec. 15th and to continue to receive their awards through the 2009-2010 academic year.
To be eligible to receive an Oregon Opportunity Grant, students must: 1) be an undergraduate student enrolled at least half time (6 units per quarter) at a college or university in Oregon; 2) be financially needy based on household size and family income and assets according to the income eligibility information and guidelines found on the OSAC website; and 3) be an Oregon resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Note that members of Native American tribes with traditional ties to Oregon may be considered residents. See the following website for information on “Out-of-state Tribal Residency” and a complete list of recognized tribes.
Another grant offered in Oregon is the Oregon Student Child Care Grant. Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year should be submitted by May 31, 2010. The Oregon Student Child Care Grant program allows students who attend college to have good child care while they are completing their academic education. First preference for this grant is given to prior year recipients, and second preference is given to new applicants who have financial need and who are closest to completing their academic goals
Grants in Oregon for 2012
In Oregon there is a wide variety of postsecondary opportunities for those who wish to enroll in college and earn their degrees to better their life. Grants can be obtained to help students in paying for their education. It is the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) that oversees all of the grant programs in the state. This includes all of the programs that are federally funded, state funded and privately funded.
Here are some grant opportunities available to you in 2012:
Oregon Opportunity Grant: This grant is open to financially needy students who are residents of Oregon working towards their first undergraduate degree. Applicants must be enrolled at an Oregon community college or a four year private or public university or college. This grant is open to both full-time as well as half-time students. This grant is available for up to eight semester (or 12 terms). This financial assistance program is based upon the financial needs of the recipient and is dependent upon state funding. Financial need is based upon family income, assets and size of household. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
Oregon Student Child Care Grant: This grant program is open to college or university students who have young children and need financial help to attend school and also to pay for child care. The grants that are given to qualified recipients are disbursed one semester at a time and can be renewed for up to a period of six years.
Those who wish to apply for the child care grant must be residents of the state of Oregon and must have a child or children who is 12 years of age or younger. If the student has a special needs child then they qualify if their child is older than 12 years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. The individual must be enrolled or have plans to enroll in a two or four year community college, or public or private college or university. A special application form must be filled out that can be found online at www.getcollegefunds.org/child_care_grant.html. The deadline for applications is May 12, 2012.
American Legion Auxiliary Oregon Department Grant
The American Legion Auxiliary Oregon Department Grant is a one time award for residents of Oregon who are either widows or dependent children of a veteran. This grant is also available for wives and children of disabled veterans who were injured while serving. Those who wish to apply for this award must be enrolled either part-time or full-time at a two or four Year College, university or technical institution.
Oregon Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant Program
This grant program is open to all natural, adopted and/or stepchildren of public safety officers in the state of Oregon who were disabled or killed while performing their job duties. Those who wish to apply for this grant must be attending a private or public college or university or have plans to do so. This grant program is open to full-time undergraduate students but is not open to graduate students. The applicant must be able to provide proof that he or she is in financial need of help in order to attend a post secondary institution.
In conclusion, the various school grants and programs offered to Oregon students can be found at the website of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission at http://www.getcollegefunds.org/.
