File for financial aid
in January
New Year’s Day marked the kickoff of financial aid season. About 30,000 students will graduate from Oregon high schools in 2002. This is the time of year when families begin asking themselves how they can afford to pay college costs.
The financial aid process can seem very confusing, but there is a simple message for students and families seeking financial aid for next year: File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid in January. Then complete your Oregon Student Assistance Commission scholarship application before March 1.
The FAFSA determines eligibility for scholarships, loans, grants and work-study programs. Filing the FAFSA form in January is the most important action you can take. The FAFSA is available in hard copy form and online. If you do a good job on the form, the rest of the financial aid process sort of takes care of itself.
If you’re looking for even more money for college, the OSAC scholarship application offers $8.5 million in privately funded scholarships based on all kinds of qualifications. More than 3,000 Oregon students received scholarships through the program this year. The application is available in hardcopy form and online, and must be postmarked by March 1.
Check with your high school counselor, local college or university financial aid office or log on to the OSAC Web site at www.osac.state.or.us for more information. And if you know a family facing college cost “sticker shock,” pass this information along to them.
Gene J. Evans
Public Information Director
Oregon Student
Assistance Commission