Students,

Here is a checklist that will help you stay on track with your college process. ASPIRE wants to make sure you are fully prepared for the next step in your academic career. Please read through carefully and see if there are any available resources that you might of missed.

FINANCIAL AID 

1. www.fafsa.gov- FAFSA
2. www.studentaid.gov
3. www.osac.state.or.us- OSAC

SCHOLARSHIPS

1. www.fastweb.com
2. www.cheg.com/scholarships
3. www.getcollegefunds.org
4. https://app.oregonstudentaid.gov/catalog/default/aspx

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES

1. The College/ University
2. Degree Department at College/University
3. Foundations at your schools
4. Current and Past Employers
5. Future Employers
6. Groups and Clubs
7. Professional or service Organizations
8. Religious Affiliations
9. Non- Profit Groups and Community groups
10. Businesses

TESTING 

1. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep- Khan Academy Test Prep
2. www.collegeboard.com -SAT/PSAT
3. www.act.student.org -ACT
4. https://www.act.org/products/k-12-act-plan/

Hello Students and Families,

Its that time of year again! Fill out the FAFSA and submit it as soon as possible. FAFSA applications opened up OCTOBER 1st. There are early bird scholarships only available to those who submit early! Online applications must be submitted by no later than midnight Central Time, June 30, 2017. Look below for more Oregon Aid deadlines and information.

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA provides grants, loans, and work-study funds to students attending college or career school. Why fill out the FAFSA?

• informing students and families about the availability of the federal student aid programs (GRANTS, LOANS, WORK-STUDY and more!) and the process for applying for and receiving aid from those programs;

• offering free assistance to students, parents, and borrowers throughout the entire financial aid process; and

What are the types of aid you can receive?

• Grants—financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund)
• Loans— borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest
• Work-Study—a work program through the university/college you attend, which helps you earn money to help you pay for school
• Educational and Training Vouchers for Current and Former Foster Care Youth  (EVT)-  ETVs are grants, funded by the federal government and administered by the states, awarded to eligible current and former foster youth to help pay for college, career school, or training.

Who is eligible?

Every high school senior and anyone who is interested in attending post high school eduation is eligible to (and should) apply!

• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25);
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
• sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) stating that
  • you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
  • you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
• show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
  • having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
  • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or
  • enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives described below.

What are the Deadlines?

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2017 competition.

• Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply.
• Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks.
• College students are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are signed; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
• Male and female students compete separately.

The 2017 Most Valuable Student scholarship contest is open to any high school senior who is a US Citizen. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Applications for the 2017 contest will be available online starting September 1, 2016. The 2017 MVS application deadline is November 30, 2016.

From April 6-9, 2017 the 20 top finalists will participate in an all expenses paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000. Click here to read all about the 2016 MVS Leadership Weekend held in Chicago.

Click here for a list of Most Valuable Student scholarship application frequently asked questions.

The Chicago office of the Elks National Foundation will announce the 500 national winners, and notify them in writing, by late April 2017. (Many local Lodges, districts and state Elks associations award their own scholarships through this program. These scholarships are not to be confused with the 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships.)

Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.

The Elks National Foundation is proud to present its 2016 class of Most Valuable Student Scholarship Recipients. Click here to see the full list of winners.

• Past MVS Scholarship Winners

Looking for other Elks scholarship options? Learn about Legacy Awards and Emergency Educational Grants.

Questions? Email Scholarship@elks.org or call 773/755-4732