Path to Scholarships Workshop - Saturday, Jan 7th

FREE WORKSHOP

Path To Scholarships: MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE Saturday, January 7, 2017  9:00 AM - 3:30 PM LINFIELD COLLEGE - PORTLAND CAMPUS Peterson Hall Auditorium, Room 101 2255 NW Northrup Street Portland, OR 97210 Presenters: Linfield College, Gerardo Ochoa, Assistant  Dean for Diversity and Community Partnerships  & PSU, Tania Sanchez, Assistant Director of Multicultural Recruitment Click here to register or call 503.222.0280. Space is limited, registration is required. The button above will set you up to register for the workshop. Please type your first and last name in the body of the email. At this workshop, students will: - Receive their own College & Scholarship Planning Guide with Resource CD. - Create a portfolio to prepare for college & scholarship applications. - Be guided to write their first draft of a winning scholarship essay. Sponsored by:

SPACE IS LIMITED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register call 503-222-0280 or e-mail scholarship@hmccoregon.com

Some Things from Janet

1.       There’s a copy of the Fall senior newsletter (orange paper) on the side of the file cabinet.

2.       Interesting article I brought home (from the paper where I used to work) about Programs being developed to help autistic students transition to college. On white board up front. Or, here’s the link http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/health/autism-spectrum-college.html?_r=0

3.       Info about financial aid and undocumented students, and FAQs for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. On desk by front computer.

4.       Bit by bit I’m getting answers to how the Smarter Balanced test scores translate to substitute for a placement test at community colleges. When I get a fuller view, I’ll ‘splain.

5.       One thing I know is that for kids going to community college, thy will need to know their Smarter Balanced State Test Scores (formerly called Oaks). I have access to that info; so if you have students headed that direction, please let me know their names. This info, will of course be strictly confidential.

 

ACCUPLACER Questions

All Oregon community colleges now offer ACCUPLACER because COMPASS is obsolete at the end of this month.  However, each community college has set their own cut scores and placement requirements, so these do not necessarily match other schools.

A huge change to Chemeketa is the allowance of Smarter Balanced scores (if high enough) for placement, with Senior English successful completion as another asset for higher reading or writing placement.  

On a practical note, this means fewer of your students will need to take placement tests.  This will be great for your students and a cost saver for us since ACCUPLACER tests are considerably more expensive for colleges than COMPASS was.

Those students who are confident that they will be applying for Chemeketa Scholars will still need placement test results, whether from COMPASS or ACCUPLACER (or a combination of the two).

COMPASS scores are valid for five years, so students will not need to retest if they have already scored well.  We will be discouraging placement testing to those who have high COMPASS placement test scores or Smarter Balanced scores.  We also encourage students that know they will be attending another college to test directly with their college.  This way, their scores will upload into that school's database automatically and the student will not need to submit scores on their own.  

I have attached a chart that will give more information regarding Smarter Balanced scores and Senior English for Chemeketa placement.  (Please note that the sentence below this chart means that a student/school will need to supply a copy of Smarter Balanced scores to a Chemeketa testing center to make the placement official.)

I also included another attachment that has other info that applies to high school students.

Smarter Balanced Placement

ACCUPLACER at Chemeketa

 

Oregon Gear Up

The awesome weekly newsletter from Oregon GEAR UP

View this in your browser.

As Oregon seniors are focused on applying for college and financial aid, Governor Kate Brown proclaimed November “Oregon Goes To College Month”. Oregon College Application Week and College Cash Campaign events will be held at 112 schools and organizations across the state, with the potential to reach more than 20,000 students. The goal: to support seniors in completing applications for postsecondary education or training and financial aid with the support of caring adults during school.   News & Research Oregon Promise: About 6,000 students Attending College Roughly 10,000 Oregonians met Oregon Promise's basic requirements – at least a 2.5 grade point average with a high school diploma or a GED – and enrolled at least part-time at a community college. Racial, Class Disparities in College Degree Attainment For the class of 2009, 45% of students from higher income high schools had obtained a college degree within six years of graduation, compared to 24% of students from lower income schools. Nearly 1 in 3 Students are First-Generation Only 40% of first-generation students achieve a degree within six years, compared with 55% of students whose parents hold degrees. Students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree have unique challenges including the first step of applying. How A Happy School Can Help Students Succeed A new study shows that a positive school climate had a significant impact on academics.   Why Low-Income Students Are Drawn to For-Profit Colleges A lack of information and an urgency to land a job can drive low-income youth to enroll in for-profit trade schools they often can't afford. On average, attending a two-year for-profit institution costs a student four times as much as attending a community college. College Is The Goal. Will These 3 Teenagers Get There? Follow three high school seniors in Topeka, KS on their quest to college.   Resources Featured GEAR UP Resource: Parent Workshops A series of workshops for parents including basic information about GEAR UP, colleges and financial aid. Includes agendas with interactive activities and power points with speaker notes. School Climate Measurement Resources Surveys and tools from the U.S. Department of Education to help assess and improve school climate. Funding Opportunities Reiman Foundation Focuses giving on four main areas including education. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.     Professional Development Poverty Simulation Gain a better understanding of the daily realities of poverty. The simulation enables participants to look at poverty from a variety of angles and and then to recognize and discuss the potential for change within the community. Led by CoActive Connections. November 10 - Salem; December 2 - Portland Scholarships Life Without the Internet Scholarship Students must create an infographic or compose a 400-600 word essay to describe how their life would be different if the internet didn’t exist for a chance to win one of two $500 scholarships. Due November 21 Events Warner Pacific College Preview Days Meet-and-greet with faculty and staff, get a taste of student life at a campus event, sit in on a class, make new friends with current students and see what college is really like. November 10-11, Portland, $30 for overnight guests; $20 for day-time only guests. OIT Making College Happen This program is designed to offer a little extra assistance for high school freshman and sophomores who are the first to attend college or who feel they don’t know where to begin with their college search. November 17, Klamath Falls

oregongearup.org

PSU Bridges

You and your students are invited to attend Bridges at PSU!

Friday, November 18, 2016, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Please join us for Bridges, an event for high school students who are first generation or from ethnically diverse backgrounds and exploring college opportunities. Students who attend Bridges will: learn about the admissions process, become familiar with financial aid and scholarship opportunities,  explore career paths with current students and faculty, apply onsite during Instant Viking (seniors only), and how to be a successful student at PSU. Students will attend a series of workshops and tours to assist them in gathering essential information to make informed decisions about attending college. make informed decisions about attending college. SIGN UP NOW We look forward to seeing you and your students!

Miscellany

1 .Concordance for new SAT vs ACT (also old SAT vs new SAT). Page 7 is where you’ll find new SAT vs ACT. This is available in the ASPIRE room.

2. List of Private (For-Profit and Nonprofit) Institutions approved for Oregon students by the Office of Degree Authorization. Although I don’t think ITT and Le Cordon Blue should still be on it.

http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/oda-degree-authorization-academic-programs-approved-2.aspx

3. List of Private Nonprofit Institutions approved for Oregon students by the Office of Degree Authorization

http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/oda-degree-authorization-academic-programs-approved.aspx

4. The Pell grant provides up to $5,815 for 2016-2017; however our students are now applying for the 2017-2018 year, so this may change. The same thing with the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which provides up to $2,250 for 2016-2017. This, too, may change for the 2017-2018 school year.

5. The College Credit Now program has been replaced with a new area-wide college credit program called Willamette Promise. Here’s the link to learn more about that. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B31hK8tR2zAEclZaSGJBekJHamM/view

6. 2017-18 Chemeketa Scholars also have to apply for Oregon Promise. That’s a new twist.


 

Jumpstart field trip to Chemeketa Rescheduled

The Jumpstart field trip to Chemeketa, scheduled for Nov. 3, is being rescheduled. The YVC folks are in the throes of changing software to accommodate the switch to the Accuplacer placement test; hence our students would not be able to take their placement tests.

As well, for some reason the application for the Fall 2017 term is not yet available. Julianna, our Chemeketa liaison, suggested rescheduling in January.

Chemeketa's Discovery Presentation

Overview Dear Janet, I invite you to attend Chemeketa's annual fall tour for high school counselors and other student advocates, October 28, 2016 at the Chemeketa Brooks Training Center. This year we learn about our nationally recognized emergency services programs and tour our state-of-the-art training facility. Whether you're a high school counselor, career advisor or other student advocate, we'd love to have you join us. Only a few spaces remain. Register now.  Tour Details The tour will include the following: Criminal Justice From juvenile justice/corrections to two-year and transfer options for criminal justice degrees. Law Enforcement Producing highly trained professionals for employment in corrections and communities. EMT-Paramedic Preparing students for the various levels of EMT service. Fire Protection Training students for service in prevention, suppression and fire management.   Location and Agenda Chemeketa Brooks Building 1 Room 105 Agenda 7:45 am - Check-in and light refreshments 8:15 am - Welcome 8:30 am - Tours begin 11:15 am - Lunch  Questions If you have any questions about this event, please contact me. We look forward to seeing you. James McNicholas | Marketing & Recruitment Chemeketa Community College | 503.589.7644
www.chemeketa.edu Copyright 2010 Chemeketa Community College. All rights reserved. 4000 Lancaster Drive NE | PO Box 14007 | Salem, Oregon 97309 | 503.399.5000 Brooks | CCBI | Dallas | Eola | McMinnville | Onl

Handouts from FAFSA Help Night

Financial Aid Information

PowerPoint Presentation

A few more FAFSA questions answered

Federal Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2018. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 15, 2018. State Deadlines: Each state has a different deadline. See the listing below. Oregon OSAC Private Scholarships – March 1, 2017. Additional forms may be required. Oregon Promise Grant – Fall term, April 1, 2017, by midnight, Central Time; other terms, contact state agency. Additional forms may be required. Awards made until funds are depleted. Oregon Opportunity Grant – As soon as possible after October 1, 2016. Awards made until funds are depleted College Deadlines: Each college may have a different deadline. Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline – whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.

Upcoming Events and Oregon Promise Documents

Upcoming Events

Oregon Promise

Gear Up News

The awesome weekly newsletter from Oregon GEAR UP View this in your browser.

It's National GEAR UP Week so we're celebrating the great work of our educators, students and families with programs across the country.   See More 2015-16 Highlights   News & Research Community College Students Face Longer Road to Completion A new survey reveals that a large percentage of associate degree earners — more than 31% — take more than six years to complete a degree, while 37% of four-year college graduates finish in four years. Students who attend for-profit schools take far longer to complete than not-for-profit colleges. College Is Still the Promised Land for High-School Students An annual survey of young adults shows that 90 percent of high-school students aspire to complete a college degree or certificate program. However, a lack of college guidance counselors, especially for low-income students, makes it difficult to make reality. The Importance of Pronouncing Names Correctly A study found that a teacher's failure to pronounce a name correctly impacts the world view and social emotional well-being of students which is linked to learning.   Resources Featured GEAR UP Resource: College Fit Toolkit Where students enroll can be just as important as if they enroll. Students are more likely to complete college if they attend an institution that fits their social, academic and financial needs. Use the toolkit and accompanying activities to learn strategies to explore the importance of college fit in every stage of the college choice process for students in middle school through 12th grade. NCAN'S Early Awareness Middle Grades Resources A compilation of resources for college access professionals and educators working with middle school students and their families. Next Steps for Students Affected by For-Profit College Closures Students who were attending for-profit colleges that shut down, such as ITT Tech, can be matched with experienced financial aid and academic counselors throughout the country who can provide critical guidance as they determine how best to continue their studies. Funding Opportunities   The Carpenter Foundation Grants within Jackson and Josephine Counties related to human services, education, arts, scholarships and other activities related to public interest. Board meets quarterly to review proposals.     Professional Development Oregon Public University Counselor Conferences Oregon's seven public universities are hosting a series of four counselor conferences to share information about new programs and policies as well as changes to federal and state financial aid. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. October 11 - Western Oregon University, Monmouth October 12 - University of Oregon, Eugene October 20 - Southern Oregon University, Ashland October 21 - OSU-Cascades, Bend Scholarships Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Open to graduating high school seniors of Hispanic/Latino descent who have demonstrated leadership in the classroom and community and for their focus in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Engineering, Healthcare & Science, and Mathematical Science. Due October 2 College JumpStart Scholarship A merit-based scholarship that is open to 10th-12th graders, college students and non-traditional students that can express their goals for getting a higher education. Due October 17 Events College Goal Oregon Free events designed to help Oregon college-bound students and their families with the financial aid application process. Financial aid professionals will be on hand to help attendees complete the FAFSA and the OSAC scholarship application. Check their website for locations and dates.