Pursuing Your Path
April 2021
There are many paths that students may choose to pursue after high school, and navigating the financial aid process to pay for those options can be complex. The Beaverton School District is committed to supporting students and families achieve post-high school success, and in this newsletter, we offer information and resources to help families of 9th-11th grade students learn about financial aid and to support students pursuing the path that is right for them. Although your child is still a year or more away from graduating, please note that the deadlines for many of these programs and scholarships will remain relatively within the same timeframe year after year.
Please note: in this newsletter we will provide links to various web-based resources, including YouTube. We are providing these links for the convenience of families, however the Beaverton School District does not review, screen, or otherwise manage the information on these websites. Families should make their own choice about using the resources provided below.
What is Financial Aid?
“Financial Aid” is the term used to describe money that is awarded to students to help pay for post-high school educational options. Financial Aid can include “gift aid” (money that does not have to be paid back) such as scholarships and grants, or it can include “self-help aid” (money that has to be paid back or earned) such as loans and work study.
When to Apply for Financial Aid?
The financial aid process usually begins by completing either the FAFSA or ORSAA form during 12th grade. These forms request information about a family’s financial situation and allow continuing education programs (2-year and 4-year colleges, universities, and career/technical schools) to offer financial aid to students who are applying to their programs.
FAFSA or ORSAA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid
ORSAA stands for Oregon Student Aid Application
Students will only need to complete 1 of these forms, whichever one is right for them, and it is recommended that the form be completed as soon as possible after October 1st during the student’s senior year.
Want to Learn More?
Visit the website for Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC).
Information about Applying for Financial Aid from Colleges and Universities
The next part of the financial aid process typically involves applying for grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities from colleges and universities.
Most students apply for and receive financial aid (including scholarships) from the continuing education program to which they apply. We have partnered with two of our local college and university colleagues to help families learn more about how this could work.
Paying for College at Portland Community College
Understanding Financial Aid and Scholarships (3 part video series by University of Oregon)
Oregon's Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC)
Students may also apply for and receive financial aid in the forms of public grants. To learn more about the grants available to students in the State of Oregon, consider visiting the website for Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC).
OSAC Scholarships Database - OSAC also has a scholarship database with over 500 scholarships. Students can apply for up to 40 scholarships with their one application.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship
Another scholarship opportunity that students may want to consider is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship. This scholarship is designed to reduce the cost of attending out-of-state colleges and universities.
WUE scholarships are available at over 160 colleges and universities (including some 2-year colleges) in 16 Western States (including Oregon). The eligibility requirements for the WUE scholarship will be different at each college, and often there is a GPA requirement for earning the scholarship. To learn more, consider visiting the WUE webpages:
General Information: https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/
WUE Information for Students: https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/for-students/
Savings Finder: https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/wue-savings-finder/
Specialized Scholarship Programs
Some colleges and universities have specialized scholarship programs that are designed to provide additional support to students while they attend college. These programs may have GPA requirements, and often include both a financial scholarship, as well as academic support and mentoring opportunities. Similar to PSU’s Four Years Free program, these programs are intentionally designed to support students who are experiencing significant financial need.
Two of these programs at public universities in Oregon are:
Mountainside College and Career Team
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