MHCC FOUNDATION ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIPS

Mt. Hood’s online scholarship application is currently open to anyone who wishes to receive a scholarship next year.

Four essays are required along with two references, according to Nataly Paoli, the MHCC Foundation alumni and scholarship coordinator. The essay requirements are exactly the same as those required on the OSAC (Office of Student Access and Completion) application.

For the references section, applicants enter two names and emails, and those individuals fill out the questionnaire they will receive.

The Mt. Hood Foundation offers need-based and non-need-based scholarships, said Paoli. “For the need-based ones, (applicants) will need to complete the FAFSA, but it’s not required.” Students who do not qualify for federal Pell grants can still be eligible for scholarships.

Scholarship funds come from various donors, then are handled by the MHCC Foundation. Some donors come up with their own qualifications on who gets scholarships, Paoli said. “There are some donors who, for example – we have one that’s for a single parent. That was something that a donor decided. A lot of the scholarships will require the student to be enrolled in a certain number of credits,” she said.

Last year, one out of three applicants were awarded scholarships. An overhaul of the application process has streamlined the steps, and everything is done online. “Now that we’ve invested in this software, and we have an online application, it’s a lot easier for us to match the scholarships to eligible students,” said Paoli.

Currently, about 350 applications have been submitted or started this year, said Paoli.

To be considered for the 2018-19 school year, students can submit applications through March 31. The application is available at mhcc.edu/scholarships. The next workshop on applying will be on Feb. 21 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Room AC2340.

Paoli is available at [email protected] or 503-491-7021 for assistance.

Advocate Staff