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Figuring out what financial aid to apply for and filling out forms probably isn't your idea of fun, but it could save you thousands of dollars and take a lot of pressure off the future.
Financial aid comes in many packages:
- Grants and Scholarships — These opportunities come from the federal and state governments, private industry and organizations, and schools themselves. You don't repay grants and scholarships. They are either merit- or need-based.
- Loans — Loans constitute the majority of financial aid, 60%, and must be repaid according to their guidelines. Most loans are need-based and through the federal government. The interest attached to federal government loans is considered low and does not start accruing until you finish school.
- Work Study Programs — Work study allows students to earn money in a part-time job while in an education program.
To start you on your road to financial aid, research the sites below. Be patient and methodical when going through the layers of information. Involve your parents and guidance/financial aid counselor. Whatever your background, performance in school and career interest (even if it's very general at this point), don't be afraid to ask questions!
Explore the website; talk with a counselor. Se habla Espanol. There are many types of financial aid available for students of all ages: money you don't need to pay back, such as grants and scholarships.
- Scholarship funding to study biomedical informatics at OHSU
The
Oregon Health & Science University has been awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to advance the widespread adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (HIT) by educating professionals in this rapidly growing field. Two programs to choose from!
- The College Board
The College Board is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. The site gives the big picture on financial aid, has the latest on scholarship information and offers a financial aid "EasyPlanner."
- Sallie Mae's Education Investment Planner
This planner helps families calculate the total cost of a college degree and offers tips for repayment and staying within budget.
- Federal Student Aid
Available in English and Spanish, this site contains a wealth of information for students of different educational levels from elementary to graduate school and of traditional, non-traditional and international backgrounds. Parents and counselors will also find the site helpful. Here you will find the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding of federal student aid and most state and college aid. Don't miss this site's free publications, scholarship information and much more under Tools and Resources, and look for other sources of student aid on the Funding Your Education page. Keep in mind that most college funding comes from the federal government.
- Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)
OSAC administers a variety of State of Oregon, federal and privately funded student financial aid programs for Oregonians seeking postsecondary education. Its mission is to assist Oregon students in attaining a postsecondary education and to enhance the value, integrity, and diversity of Oregon's college programs. Check out the Oregon Opportunity Grant, for financially needy undergraduate residents of Oregon, and the more than 320 privately funded scholarships administered by OSAC! Read about OSAC's ASPIRE program (Access to Student Assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone), Oregon's official mentoring program to help students access education and training beyond high school. Students receive information about college options, admission, and financial aid from trained and supportive ASPIRE volunteer mentors who work one-on-one with them throughout the year.
- Private Scholarships
This link will take you to a website called FastWeb. The site is updated daily and supplies information on scholarships based on a very broad range of qualifications such as talent, heritage and accomplishments. Although these types of scholarships make up one of the smallest wedges in the financial aid pie, they are worth exploring. Create an account — you may have exactly what a particular scholarship requires!
- FinAid
Here's another site that explains all types of financial aid. FinAid also gives tips on maximizing your eligibility and offers tools to calculate the cost of an education. FinAid mentions the FastWeb site listed above to compare your background with a database of possibilities.
- WorkSource Centers
There may be funding for you available through your local WorkSource Oregon Center. There are 48 centers in all. Find the one nearest you.
Explore funding support through state and federal sources.
- Partnerships and Investments in Oregon's Healthcare Workforce: Private and Federal Government Contributions (PDF) — Report by OHWI
This report summarizes the information that OHWI received on Oregon's health care workforce from January 2005 through March 2007. Look through the educational, provider and workforce organization sections for lists of programs that have supported students over the years. These efforts include health care training program expansions, employee training, tuition assistance and advancement of the effort to diversify Oregon's health care workforce. You might see the same kinds of programs as you conduct a search through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission's site (see above); if not, if something grabs your interest, ask your school counselor or call the entity directly to see about current funding opportunities.
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