College, Scholarships, and Financial Aid Information

The process of getting financial aid for a student's post-high school education can be intimidating and overwhelming. It's never too early to start learning the in's and out's and all about's of financial aid.

Our goal is to provide relevant, useful information and links to resources on the following:

The ways to pay for a post-high school education
An explanation of the types of aid and other mumbo-jumbo terminology
A timeline of how financial aid works alongside the application process

Confused? Can't find what you are looking for? Reach out to your Future Center!

Dual Partnership Program

The DPP program is a partnership program between a university and a community college. Students enroll at each college and have the benefits of advising, scholarships and more from each school. Students can choose which campus they live on. Most Oregon Universities have some form of this program. Click HERE for more information regarding the COCC and OSU DPP program and on the OSU Degree Partnership Program webpage.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available through a variety of sources. The college you plan to attend, will have both merit and department scholarships available. Your College & Career Center, along with the other high schools in our area, compiles a list of USA, State and Local scholarships that can be found at the BLPS District Scholarship List link below. OSAC (Office of Student Access and Completion) offers 600+ scholarships with one application. National search sites such as ScholarsApp, Unigo, and Sallie Mae give you the ability to search for thousands of scholarships. First stop for any student is our virtual canvas classroom or our famous Scholarship Wall in the College and Career Center where copies of amazing scholarship opportunities are available.

Bend-La Pine Schools Scholarship List (This is a working document that is being continuously updated)
OSAC - DEADLINE IS MARCH 1! Don't wait until the last minute to complete the application.
GearUp Scholarship List - Oregon State Scholarships
ScholarsApp
Unigo
Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
Scholarship Tracker
Engineering, Physics, Biomedical and related majors
Cascades East: Cascades East Area Health Education Center and St. Charles Foundation for health care careers.

Financial Aid

Families are encouraged to apply prior to November 1st. Applicants will be required to use 2021 tax return information to complete the FAFSA. This is a FREE application and makes students eligible for federal grants (free money) and federal student loans.

Helpful links for filing the FAFSA:

FAFSA Informational Guide
FSA ID - Electronic Signature for FAFSA
FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Understanding your Financial Aid Award
Award Aid Letter Breakdown
Aid for Undocumented Students
Finding Money in College Informative Video - Presented by COCC & OSU-Cascades

If you have not completed your FAFSA yet, please let us know how we can help! The FAFSA is required by most colleges to make an award package offer to the student. It is also required for the Oregon Promise Grant.

Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to get started. See FAFSA Informational Guide above for more information.

Students who are not US Citizens may file the ORSAA which will allow them to receive State grants and scholarships. ORSAA Application.

Oregon Promise Grant

Students must file the FAFSA to apply, have a 2.5 GPA or above, have lived in Oregon for 12 months and enroll in an Oregon Community College. The Oregon Promise Grant supplements Federal aid and covers the balance of the average cost of a maximum of 12 credits of tuition a term and requires a $50 copay.

Oregon Promise Grant link

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College Information

Applying to college and for financial aid and scholarships can feel daunting. We can help you navigate all of the information available assist you in making decisions. Links for college and career search listed below

Oregon Colleges and Universities
Oregon Trade Schools
College Scorecard - Excellent site for searching college information
Virtual Tours of College Campuses
Oregon Public Universities Admission Requirements
Western Undergraduate Exchange
- Generally offers 150% of in-state tuition for specific state institutions in the West.
- Criteria and deadlines are individual to each university.
- Public university "scholarship".

APPLICATIONS:

The Common App
Tips for Submitting Your College Application
Activities Chart (*this is a fillable Google Doc)

ESSAYS:

TRANSCRIPTS:

All transcript requests MUST go through Parchment.com.
- Parents: Please require your student to create his/her own account. If you also create an account, it can conflict with their account and jeopardize the transmission of transcripts.
- Current students: Use the registration code provided to you to set up a Parchment account. Please change the email address in the account to a personal email address as the school district email account is not available to you in the summer or after you graduate.
- Former students: You must have a valid email address to create an account.
  - Bend Senior High School
  - Bend Tech Academy @ Marshall High School
  - Caldera High School (not yet available)
  - La Pine High School
  - Mountain View High School
  - Realms High School
  - Summit High School
Transcripts for OSAC Scholarship or Oregon Promise applications must be uploaded through the College and Career Center. Both of these require that seventh semesters grades are posted before upload. Be sure to choose: Have my school verify my GPA option when filling out the applications.
Request COCC Transcript
College credit received through other community colleges must be requested directly from that institution
AP Credit - must be requested through College Board
Unofficial transcript requests can be made in the Future Center.

National TESTS:

All Oregon Public Universities have gone permanently test optional for admissions and test blind for scholarships. Due to the testing limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many college have chosen to stay as permanently test optional for all future classes. Be sure to verify with your schools of choice regarding their testing policy.

College Admissions Tests : What are admission tests?
FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing
- FairTests's master directory of more than 1,815 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that are ACT/SAT optional.
ACT: Tests English, Math, Science with an optional Writing section.
SAT and SAT II
ACT vs SAT - how are they different
ASVAB - Armed Services Vocation and Aptitude Battery
- Required for military enlistment
- Tests Verbal, Math, Science, Automotive and Shop, Electronics, and Mechanical Comprehension.
- See the Future Center for testing information.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

Letters of Recommendation from counselors, teachers, administrators, coaches and community members can make the difference in admissions decisions.

Ask teachers and counselors early. Give at least 3 weeks notice.
Counselors have a worksheet to complete. Forms are in the Counseling office and Future Center.
Provide all writers with an activities resume and some interesting information about you.
Letter writing is not easy. It takes time and thought. Don't forget to say thank you.
Tips for asking for letters of recommendation