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What Is the Take Aim Scholarship Program?
NELA sponsors the Take Aim Scholarship programs for students enrolled
in Oregon community colleges and students enrolled in Washington state
community and technical colleges.
The scholarships also support community college graduates who are transferring
to four-year colleges or universities.
Why Focus on Community Colleges or Technical College Students?
Obtaining higher education in Oregon is costly. In addition to any
financial aid received, families must spend, on average, 21 percent of their household
income to cover college costs at community colleges and 25 percent at public
four-year colleges and universities. These figures are up from 15 percent and 16 percent, respectively, a decade ago.
Obtaining higher education in Washington is costly also. In addition
to any financial aid received, families must spend, on average, 27
percent of their household income to cover college costs at community
and technical colleges and 31 percent at public four-year colleges
and universities. These figures are up from 19 percent and 20 percent,
respectively a decade ago.
By supporting Oregon and Washington residents in attaining associate degrees and
transferring to four-year schools through scholarship assistance, NELA hopes to encourage more state residents to complete their bachelor’s degrees and secure well-paying jobs. This will enable Oregon and
Washington citizens to better help their families and contribute to their communities.
How the Program Works
We work in partnership with community college advisors and financial
aid directors to promote and administer the program. The Take Aim Scholarship
program offers two types of scholarships.
Take Aim Incentive Scholarships.
Each state awards scholarships of at
least $500 for individual students currently enrolled in Oregon and Washington
community colleges and Washington technical schools. The fund helps students
return to school at least half time during the 2008-2009 school year
and complete their transferable associate degrees by summer 2009.
Take Aim Transfer Scholarships.
Each state awards scholarships of at least
$2,000 for individual students currently enrolled in Oregon and Washington
community colleges and Washington technical schools. The fund helps students
complete their associate degrees by fall of 2008 and transistion to four-year
Oregon and Washington universities to complete their bachelor's
degrees during the 2008-2009 school year.
Student Eligibility
Each participating college determines the best way to promote and administer
the program based on the following eligibility requirements.
- To receive scholarship funds, the student must continue to maintain satisfactory
academic progress.
- The student must have verifiable financial need as established by the
expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is determined by information
students and parents provide on the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA).
- Scholarship funds may be used for tuition or required fees, books, supplies
or equipment at institutions of higher education that meet the federal
government's eligibility standards.
Oregon Take Aim
Oregon schools interested in the Take Aim program should contact Jennifer
Satalino at the Oregon Center for Student Success by calling 866.635.2669
or e-mailing oregoncenter@nela.net.
Washington Take Aim
Washington schools interested in the Take Aim program should contact Lyanne
Asada at the Washington Center for Student Success by calling 877.635.2669
or e-mailing washingtoncenter@nela.net.
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