DREAM - Former Foster Youth Scholarship (Oregon)

DREAM - Former Foster Youth Scholarship (Oregon) is sponsored by Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC). This scholarship is for former foster youth in Oregon.

Foster Youth | Oregon Student Aid Oregon Tribal Student Grant Oregon Student Child Care Grant Chafee Education and Training Grant Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant Oregon Barber and Hairdresser Grant Program Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance Oregon Teacher Scholars Program Grant High School Program Toolbox Middle School Program Toolbox Other Career and College Resources If you have been involved in the foster care system and have financial need, we can help you navigate the process of planning and paying for college.

The resources below can get you started down the road to college and a successful career. The Chafee Education and Training Grant The Chafee Education and Training Grant program helps current and former foster care youth pay for postsecondary education and training. Selena Galindo, State Grants Administrator Email: Selena.

Galindo@hecc. oregon. gov Rosemary Iavenditti, Youth Transitions Program Coordinator Email: Rosemary.

IAVENDITTI@dhsoha. state. or.

us Mason Van Buren Scholarship Scholarship Purpose: To encourage and create life-changing opportunities for promising high school graduates (or the equivalent) who have experienced foster care or have been wards of the court. To apply complete an OSAC Scholarship Application .

Weller Family Scholarship Scholarship Purpose: To award scholarships to assist Oregon coastal county high school students who wish to pursue a postsecondary education at an Oregon community college. Applicants must be or must have been in foster care. To apply complete an OSAC Scholarship Application .

Scholarship Purpose: To award scholarships to students who are current Oregon residents and who have been in foster care and wish to attend any Title IV financial aid eligible institution within the United States. To apply complete a OSAC Scholarship application .

The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) to determine potentially eligible students and to match DHS data with a student’s FAFSA/ORSAA information. Based on information listed on the FAFSA/ORSAA, OSAC provides a list of eligible students to be considered for a Tuition and Fee Waiver in the Financial Aid Offices (FAO) Portal.

Eligibility: The Tuition and Fee Waiver is for undergraduate students who meet one of the following criteria: Were in the care and custody of DHS, or one of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon.

Former or current foster youth must have spent at least 180 days (6 months) in substitute care after age 14, AND did not leave substitute care and custody of (DHS or Tribe) prior to the youth’s 16th birthday; Adopted former foster youth who have spent at least 180 days (6 months) in substitute care and were adopted on or after January 1, 2012; or Experienced homelessness for at least 180 days (6 months) between ages 14 and 24 years old and meet the following requirements: While experiencing homelessness, received services from an organization contracted by DHS or a host home; AND Was at least 16 years of age when last receiving services Requirements: The undergraduate student must access the Tuition and Fee Waive prior to the age of 25 by: Enrolling at an eligible Oregon public 2- or 4-yr college or university Complete a FAFSA or ORSAA each year.

Students must complete verification documents/information as requested by their school in a timely manner *Students are eligible for the waiver up to 4 years (12 terms of full-time enrollment) or until they have earned a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. OSAC informs all eligible schools listed on the FAFSA/ORSAA of a student's eligibility for the Tuition and Fee Waiver.

A student may list several eligible institutions on their FAFSA/ORSAA; all will be notified of the student's eligibility. Waiver Amount: The school shall waive all tuition and fee costs after a student's federal grants, Oregon Opportunity Grant, and institutional aid have been applied to the student's account.

Tuition and Fee Waiver FAQs (DHS) In addition to federal financial aid opportunities and programs specific to each institution, Oregon residents, regardless of age, may be eligible for the following state financial aid programs, as long as they meet all other program requirements: Submit your FAFSA or ORSAA The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon's largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students.

The grant provides funding to more than 30,000 Oregon resident students each year. OOG is a need-based grant awarded to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing their first associate's or bachelor's degree at an eligible public or private institution. Award amounts vary based on student's financial need and type of institution the student attends.

There is not a separate application for the OOG. To be considered for the grant, students must submit their FAFSA or ORSAA by the deadline date each academic year. The Oregon Promise is a state grant that helps to cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® test graduates.

Students must apply during their senior year or immediately after GED® test completion. There is additional deadline flexibility for foster youth who obtain their high school diploma or GED® while in out-of-state placements. Foster youth who obtain their credential in an out-of-state foster care will have the residency requirement waived, due to their placement.

These students also will have 12 months, instead of 6 to enroll at least half-time at an Oregon community college. Students must apply for the Oregon Promise Grant by the appropriate deadline. Please email OregonPromise@hecc.

oregon. gov for deadline and application information related to SB 1605. Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance The Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) program provides funding for undergraduate tuition at in-state residency rates, certain fees, and a book allowance at eligible Oregon postsecondary institutions for current Oregon National Guard Members.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance The Oregon Student Child Care Grant Program helps parents enrolled in postsecondary education to obtain safe, dependable care that supports their children's development while allowing completion of the parent's academic programs. Oregon Student Child Care Grant The OSAC Scholarship is one application that includes more than 600 scholarships.

The Scholarship Application includes student contact and background questions, college plans, transcripts, activities chart, and personal statements. Use the link below to learn more about other Oregon Grant Programs. Other Workforce and Training Resources Transfer Degree Information: If you have already completed an associate’s degree, certificate, or some college, here are tools for transfer students .

Skills and Training Resources: For information on how to build upon your current skills, including GED® resources, apprenticeships and training opportunities, career pathways, veteran resources, dislocated worker programs, workforce needs and more, please visit the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s “ build skills and training ” webpage.

Workforce Development Resources: For additional resources on workforce, visit: Local Workforce Development Boards Eligible Training Provider List Use the links below to access additional information and resources.

Oregon Colleges and Universities Academic Year Learning Term 211 - This is a vital resource that helps connect students to local resources Foster Care Records from Other States- Oregon does not have access to foster care records from other states. Use this website to find contacts in other states. Undocumented or DACA Student Persons with Disabilities Youth Experiencing Homelessness Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)