Financial Aid Resources
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
The following link is the U.S. Department of Education's site for free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school. This site offers a wealth of information and publications from a College Prep Checklist to college loan information. Federal Publications
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FAFSA4casting
FAFSA4caster is a tool to help high school students gain an understanding of the FAFSA in advance of actually completing the FAFSA during the spring of the senior year.
Preparing for college takes planning and organization. Paying for college takes financial aid. FAFSA4caster will help students get an early start on the financial aid process by:
- Providing an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid.
- Giving an experience similar to FAFSA on the Web
- Allowing students to transfer all of their FAFSA4caster data to FAFSA on the Web once they are ready to apply for aid.
- Providing students with the option to apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN.
- Increasing knowledge of the financial aid process, and providing information about other sources of aid.
FAFSA
Seniors should have college visits and applications completed in the fall and early spring and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov completed in January. The FAFSA determines the expected contribution a family can make toward college expenses and how much money can be provided in need-based grants (money that will not need to be repaid) and loans. It is very important that the FAFSA is completed early. Waiting beyond January may reduce the chances of receiving available financial aid. It is possible to complete the FAFSA with estimates and then be finalized later.
Financial Aid Seminar
During the National Christian College Fair on October 11, there will be two presentations on college financial aid. They are the same presentation and will be offered at 6:30 and 7:15 in the cafeteria. Parents and students will learn about the FAFSA, scholarships, work study, grants, and loans. Do not miss this event!
For over ten years, Portland has been home to a National Christian College Fair. The college fair is a great opportunity for students and families to meet with college representatives to learn about the value of Christian higher education.
Students will be able to interact with over 50 Christian colleges and universities while at the fair. In addition, financial aid seminars will be provided to educate families on the opportunities available to finance private, Christian education.
The college fair begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and the fair will be in the Portland Christian High School gym on Oct.11.
Taxes and Education
BEING A DEPENDENT: Generally speaking for financial aid purposes, student aid remains based upon parent and student income and assets until age 24. There are a few exceptions such as a student being married or who has a child of their own or is in graduate school.
TUITION DEDUCTION AND TAX CREDITS: Tuition tax credits have been greatly expanded. These credits will benefit many Portland Christian families by raising the income limits substantially. Read the information provided through the following links. www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ways-to-pay/446.html, www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=213044,00.html (If this link has an error, click on Newsroom on the left column and then on the Tax Benefits for Education article)
Scholarship Information
The college years make a huge impact on a student’s future. It is more than a financial investment. The following article should be prayerfully considered as a family considers the total cost of a college education. www.christianconsulting.net/statistics/CT3-06.pdf.
Don’t make a decision on the cost of going to a college based upon the posted tuition. Very few students ever pay the posted amount because of the amount of scholarships and financial aid that is received. Colleges have internal scholarships that are either based on student need or are tied to academic success or are performance based (music, sports, etc). Private colleges typically use these scholarships to draw students to their schools. Students will find most private colleges will work harder at trying to bring them to their college, often offering more scholarships.
Students can also be awarded outside scholarships that students are awarded through a variety of avenues. Check with the college for internal scholarship information and see the following link for ideas for outside scholarships. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/index.html.
It is suggested that families not pay any organization that promises to find scholarships. Most of that information is free and fairly easy to find. The investigation and application process can be seen as the student’s “job”; making it a part of finding resources to help pay for college. Specific scholarships tied to Oregon can be found at the following links and by attending the College Night www.collegenightinor.org. www.GetCollegeFunds.org. Scholarships tied to the State of Washington can be found at www.collegescholarships.org/states/washington.htm
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) This is the homepage of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families seeking need-based aid must file the form as soon as possible after January 1 for students who plan to enroll in college the following fall.
FastWeb, the Internet’s leading scholarship search service You should not pay to find college scholarship resources. This is one of the best free scholarship search sites.
FinAid, The SmartStudent™ Guide to Financial Aid This site is a comprehensive financial aid resource. Features include a financial and eligibility estimator, links to scholarship sites, and information on every facet of financial aid.
Financial Aid Calculators How much will I be expected to contribute toward the cost of a college education? Click here to get started on figuring out your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).
- FirstGov.gov, the U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal (English)
- FirstGov en Español, the U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal (Spanish)
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Report, September 30, 2003
- Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of education funding
- Student Aid Alliance
- The American Indian College Fund
- The Student Guide
- United Negro College Fund
Scholarship Searches, Tips, and Tools
The following information is from Frankie Everett, Assistant Financial Aid Director at Multnomah University.
View PDF
The following information is from Frankie Everett, Assistant Financial Aid Director at Multnomah University.
View PDF
Cash for College
Cash for College (PDF)
College Night in Oregon
Details: Free pizza & soda, college planning tips, & $500 scholarships; At this even you will learn about the right college or academic program for you, financial aid, searching for scholarships, avoiding scams, and completing the FAFSA
List of Scholarships
College Scholarship Listing
AXA Foundation Scholarships
Several scholarships are awarded through this company. See http://www.axa-equitable.com/axa-foundation/about.html
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program annually awards roughly 20 college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with $10,000 renewable scholarships—up to $40,000 total per recipient. Visit this site for more information: www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships
Math Education Scholarship Program
Mathematics Education Scholarship Awards (MESA) program at Eastern Oregon University. MESA is a major scholarship program designed to help bring capable, undergraduate students to EOU to pursue Bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and to be prepared for entry into the Masters of Teaching/Teacher Licensure program in our College of Education. http://www.eou.edu/ed/documents/MESABrochure.pdf.
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Ford Scholars Program
Gates Millennium Scholarship (for minority students)
- Nomination Application Information
- Main website: www.gmsp.org
Best Buy
The Best Buy @15 Scholarship Program
Students in grades 9-12 in the US and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply. Students need solid grades plus community service or work experience. Apply online at www.at15.com or www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com
Students in grades 9-12 in the US and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply. Students need solid grades plus community service or work experience. Apply online at www.at15.com or www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com
OSWILG/Harry S. Chandler Memorial Scholarship Program
Click HERE for more information
Buick Achievers Scholarship
Applicants are encouraged to apply who:
- Will be enrolling for full-time study as first-time freshmen at a 4-year college/university
- Plan to major in one of the following: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or Design
- Are interested in a career in the automotive or related industries
OSAC Scholarship Catalog
Click Here For more information
Horatio Alger Scholarship
Click Here For more information