Financial aid, scholarships are available

By Steve Koehler

Even in the depths of the current economy downturn, there is money available for those who want to attend Ozarks Technical Community College.

The funding comes in the form of federal and state aid along with special moneys that can be directed to the non-traditional student who may not have the funds to attend school.

In addition to scholarships and grants, there are work-study programs through which students can work at OTC and earn money for school.

Anyone who want to take a credit class and seek grant or scholarship money must complete the federally mandated Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FASPA application.

The application can be found at www.fasfa.ed.gov. OTC officials warn that there is a community site with a similar Web address that charges a fee to fill out the form. OTC also offers help in completing the form.

Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students

• GED Scholarship: Student must reside in the OTC service area. A minimum GED score of 2900 is required to apply. Scholarship award is $900 per semester for full-time enrollment. The scholarship award is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Application deadline is June 1 for Fall semester.

• Continuing Student Scholarship: Student must have a cumulative minimum 2.5 grade point average in OTC coursework, and must have completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours at OTC. Student must submit an essay explaining, “How OTC has helped them achieve their goals?”. Scholarship is good for two semesters (Fall/Spring only). Scholarship award is $900 per semester for full-time enrollment. The scholarship award is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Application deadline is June 1 for Fall semester.

•Re-entry Scholarship: Student must have not attended a college/university or high school for at least one academic year. If student has attended college previously, they must have 20+ transfer credit hours with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Applicants with less than twenty transfer hours must take the COMPASS placement test at OTC. The scholarship award is prorated for less than full-time enrollment. Application deadline is June 1 for Fall semester.

Missouri Career Center programs

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides several of the programs at the Missouri Career Center including the Adult Services Program, the Dislocated Worker Program and the Youth Services program.

• Dislocated Worker: Serves people who have lost their job through no fault of their own (layoffs, closures, business failure, etc.) Case managers work with these folks to provide career guidance, skills enhancement, job search assistance, and occupational training where appropriate. Tuition assistance is sometimes provided on a case by case basis.

•T rade Assistance Program: Serves workers who have lost their jobs due to work being moved outside of the U.S. Provides retraining funding.

For more information, contact the financial aid office at 447-6999 or at financialaid@otc.edu

Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College.