College Information Night

All offer:

• Bachelor’s degrees
• Financial aid opportunities
• Academic & career pathways
• On-campus housing (varies by school)

Why Consider? 

• In-state tuition rates
• Wide range of majors
• Research opportunities
• Strong transfer partnerships
• Campus diversity in size and setting

Each campus has a unique culture and academic focus and we will learn about them in a just a bit! 

Passion, Purpose and Plan

Through the School Counseling Curriculum, students will:

• Explore interests and strengths
• Reflect on post–high school goals
• Connect course selection to future plans
• Update their Academic & Career Plan each year

Planning is ongoing - not just senior year.

Students Should:

• Meet Bend-La Pine Schools diploma and post-secondary admissions requirements
• Maintain a four-year academic plan
• Update their Academic & Post–High School Plan annually in SchooLinks
• Be on track before forecasting (February/March)

✔ Academic & Career Plan should be completed prior to forecasting.
Questions? Connect with your school counselor.

What do colleges look at?

Admissions decisions may consider:

• GPA
• Rigor of coursework
• Academic/subject requirements
• SAT / ACT Test scores (if required)
• Essay or written components
• Letters of recommendation
• Activities & involvement

Each college sets its own criteria.

Finding the Right “Fit”

Academics

• Majors offered
• Admission criteria
• Student-to-faculty ratio

Campus Culture

• Size of student body
• Athletics
• Greek life
• Religious affiliation
• Student organizations

Location

• Distance from home
• Geographic setting
• Climate

Cost

• Tuition
• Housing
• Books
• Transportation

Application Basics

Applications may include:

• Transcript (academic history) 
• Test scores (if required)
• Activities list
• Personal statement/s
• Letters of recommendation (teacher and/or counselor)
• School report from school counselor 

Students apply:

• Directly to the institution
• Or through the Common Application (if accepted by institution)
   

Deadlines vary — always check each college’s website for specifics on admissions consideration requirements 

College Admissions Testing

Some 4-year colleges may require SAT or ACT.

Important Notes:

• Testing policies change yearly
• Colleges accept SAT or ACT equally (if required)
• SAT and ACT offered at various BLS sites throughout the year

Students should talk to their counselor about a testing plan aligned with their goals.

(See handout for specific dates and prep resources.)

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Types of financial aid:

• Grants
• Scholarships
• Work study
• Loans

Helpful Tips:

• Many colleges have financial aid calculators online
• Financial aid/scholarship information sessions occur in Fall & Spring
• Local and State scholarships available (see SchooLinks) 
• Financial Aid representatives (OSU) available tonight!

Co-Curricular and Extra Curricular Activities

Colleges value: 

• Clubs
• Athletics
• Community service
• Leadership roles
• Work experience

Depth of involvement matters more than quantity.

Your School Counselor

Your school counselor is your first point of contact for:

• Graduation progress
• Four-year planning
• College admissions questions
• Letters of recommendation
• Application support

Students should connect regularly throughout high school.

School Counseling Program Support

Students receive:

• Classroom lessons
• Advisory curriculum (at most high schools) 
• Family information nights and communications
• Workshops
• Individual planning meetings

Our goal: 

• Ensure students graduate with a clear post-high school plan.

Future Center Support

In addition to counselors, students can access their future center: 

• Job shadows
• Career exploration rotations
• College & scholarship searches
• Guest speakers
• College visits
• Resume & cover letter help
• Military enlistment resources
• Service learning opportunities
• School credit for job experience

Our wonderful School to Career program managers work in collaboration with school counselors to complement the school counseling program.

There is lots of information - and lots of time.

• Start early.
• Ask questions.
• Stay connected to your counselor.
• Attend BLS School Counseling and Future Center Events

Planning is a process - and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Career Aspirations - A college degree can prepare you for your dream career. You also build experience in your program through research and other college programs

Lifetime Earnings - Studies show that bachelor degree holders earn over $1 million more in their lifetime than HS diploma peers

Personal Enrichment - Time in college exposes students to new activities and opportunities such as study abroad, greek life, professional networks, athletics, clubs, internships, and more. 

Safety Net - People with bachelor degrees are less likely to be impacted by economic recessions and are more likely to receive health care benefits through their employment

Grants 

• Funding Source - Federal and State
• Details - Need-based, no repayment

OR Opportunity Grant: A need-based grant awarded to Oregon residents who are pursuing their first associates or bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution. No additional application, submit a FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible after the application open.

OR Promise Grant: A grant that helps pay tuition costs at an Oregon Community College. Must complete an application by the deadline and submit a FAFSA or ORSAA.

Scholarships

• Funding Source - Privately funded
• Details - No repayment, OSAC-local-national

OSAC Scholarship Application: One application to apply for multiple scholarships at one time. OSAC awards more than $10 million in scholarships annually. Must complete an application by the deadline and submit a FAFSA or ORSAA

Learn more at: www.OregonStudentAid.Gov

Work Study

• Funding Source - Federal
• Details - On and off campus employment 

Loans 

• Funding Source - Federal and Private
• Details - Must be repaid with interest

FAFSA/ORSAA

Only submit 1: If you are unsure which form to complete use the OSAC FAFSA/ORSAA filter tool

FAFSA

• U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens 
• Used to access Federal and State financial aid, and many scholarships

ORSAA

• Oregon students who are undocumented , or have DACA/TPS status
• Used to access state financial aid, and many scholarships

Eight Options: Each of the 8 public universities is unique in location, atmosphere and programming.

In-State Tuition: As an Oregon resident, you save money by paying in-state tuition vs. increased costs out-of-state or at private institutions.

Academic Variety: Between all of the OPU schools, there are hundreds of major options to help you pursue the career of your dreams.