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Scholarships
Scholarships are monetary awards given to students by their college or other organizations, companies, and providers, that do not have to be paid back. Scholarships can be based on academic performance, extracurricular performance, athletics, participation/membership in organizations, or community involvement.
Scholarships are not just for students with a 4.0 GPA! There is a wide range of scholarship opportunities with varying eligibility requirements. All students interested in being awarded money for college are encouraged to explore scholarship options.
Counselors and our College Coordinator notify students (especially seniors) via email of new scholarships and upcoming deadlines. We may also offer scholarship workshops and events throughout the year. Students are highly encouraged to regularly check their PPS email for notifications and announcements.
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Types of Scholarships
Types of scholarships:
- Merit scholarships: awarded to students with a qualifying GPA (often 3.0+), athletic ability, and/or for an accomplishment in something. Most merit scholarships require an application, or can be automatically awarded by a college/university with a student’s acceptance.
- Need-based scholarships: awarded according to a student’s financial needs, and many require completion of the FAFSA before applying. Many need-based scholarships require an application.
- Other scholarships: awarded for specific achievements (athletic ability, community service, leadership), to specific populations (gender, religious affiliation, ethnicity, etc.) or for specialized skills (art). Most of these scholarships require an application. Athletic scholarships typically require that students connect with coaches and/or register with the NCAA.
Scholarships may be offered one-time, or on a renewable basis. Renewable scholarships may require that students maintain a specific GPA, or meet other criteria, during each year of college to receive the scholarship the following school year.
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How, When & Where to Apply
How to apply:
- Most scholarships require an application, and most are now online. Students can apply directly on the scholarship website, or on the appropriate web platform that includes a database or search feature of some kind with an application (such as Going Merry).
- Scholarships offered by specific colleges are typically applied for on the college website or using a application portal that the college provides access to after the student is accepted.
- Counselors and our College Coordinator notify students (especially seniors) of some upcoming scholarship deadlines. Students are encouraged to regularly check their PPS email for notifications.
When to apply:
- The largest selection of scholarships is available in senior year. Students are encouraged to begin actively searching during the summer between their junior and senior year, and then continue throughout senior year.
- Occasionally, there are scholarships available to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders as well. It is never too early to familiarize yourself with scholarship search tools and to set up any relevant accounts on search websites.
- The search and application process is ongoing. There is not a concrete date/time as to when to apply for scholarships.
Where to apply:
- Scholarships are available through a variety of organizations and organizations.
- Students are encouraged to use the tools provided below to look for scholarships.
- For scholarships offered by a specific college, students generally wait until after they are accepted to apply for those scholarships. Once accepted, students will receive information from that institution on how to apply for institution-specific scholarships.
- Some colleges may also offer students scholarships at the time of acceptance or with their financial aid packages as well.
Ultimately, the opportunity to obtain scholarships is dependent on each students' diligence and commitment to searching and submitting applications. There is no limit to the number of scholarships a student can apply for.
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Scholarship Search Tools
TITLE
DESCRIPTION
WEBSITE
Black United Fund of Oregon
Offers two different types of scholarships for students ranging from high school seniors to undergraduate college students. The two scholarships are broken down and explained on the site.
College Board
A free website to apply for college and help find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs. Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Students earn a chance at scholarships by completing certain steps and tasks using the College Board website, including things like making a list of colleges to apply to & using Khan Academy for SAT Prep. Students use their College Board account to log in & sign up for the Opportunity Scholarships
Going Merry
A free website to search and apply for scholarships in 1 place (like a "Common Application", but for scholarships). This user-friendly tool has an extensive list of scholarships!
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Empowers families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as
Islamic Society of North American Scholarships
A list of scholarships available to students who identify as Islamic, each with different eligibility criteria
National Society of High School Scholars
Opportunities for students that are members of NSHSS (membership cost $75). NSHSS is a membership-only organization (with eligibility requirements) that connects students to scholarships, college fairs, internships, career connections, personal development events, and leadership opportunities.
Open Education Database
Database that helps break down financial aid, open courses, accredited colleges and provides a scholarship database with a filtered search.
OSAC
Range from $1,000 to $10,000+. No merit or financial need requirements to apply. Choose from thousands of scholarships and apply to 40 scholarships at once. MUST submit FAFSA prior to applying for OSAC. List of recommended OSAC scholarships here. All Oregon students are highly encouraged to fill out their OSAC.
Oregon Gear Up
Scholarship database organizes into a calendar to keep track of all the due dates and a description of qualifications
Oregon CIS
A exploration tool for Oregon students to search for a variety of scholarships (uses your PPS log in)
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
TMCF awards nearly 500 scholarships a year to high-achieving students. The database has a list of scholarships offered and programs that are currently open for application
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Scholarships for students identifying as African American or Black. Each program has separate eligibility criteria and deadlines
United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI)
Scholarships for students identifying as Hispanic/LatinX. Includes leadership opportunities for students and partners with companies to provide scholarships.
Click here to view this resource list as a separate document.
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Going Merry
Going Merry is a free online scholarship search and application tool for students to research, explore, and apply to scholarships in one place. Below are some currently available scholarships:
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OSAC
The OSAC application (Office of Student Access and Completion) is a scholarship application for graduating seniors in Oregon. Students have access to 500+ scholarships and can apply to 40+ scholarships at once from an online catalog. Scholarships specific to Franklin High School students are accessible through the OSAC application. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this application.
In order to apply, students must submit their FAFSA application. The OSAC application typically opens in the fall of students' 12th grade year. It is due March 1st each year, with an early bird deadline in mid-February that includes an additional scholarship opportunity. Transcripts for OSAC applications will be sent electronically, directly to OSAC, after first semester grades are available.
Students can apply for OSAC online on the Oregon Student Aid website.
