Scholarship workshops assist students

Scholarship application workshops support students

Oct. 9, 2019 LA GRANDE, Ore. – More than 90 percent of Eastern Oregon University students receive some kind of financial aid to cover their school costs. When scholarship season opened on Oct. 1 for the 2020-21 academic year, EOU Director of Financial Aid Sandy Henry was ready for the rush.

As part of the university’s Financial Literacy Program, the Financial Aid Office coordinates scholarship application workshops on Oct. 13, Oct. 26 and Nov. 12 in Pierce Library. Scholarship Coordinator Danny Bailey organizes the evening sessions to help students with whatever they need in relation to financial aid.

“When it comes to a student’s aid, the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask,” Henry said.

The sessions are student-driven and consist of essay help, application questions, and tips on how to stand out to reviewers. Bailey brings in tutors from the Writing Center to assist in sculpting professional essays.

Henry said each session usually attracts less than 20 people, but she hopes to see participation increase. With over 800 applicants for the EOU Foundation’s 110 scholarships, competition is high. Plus, EOU offers additional awards through the university.

“We want our students to receive this help because we have amazing donors and one application can make the difference between affording college without debt,” Henry said. “Students can make more money applying for scholarships than they can working part-time over the summer.”

EOU Foundation scholarship applications are open from Oct. 1 to Feb. 1. All interested students are invited to attend workshops with the Financial Aid Office from 2 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, and 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 12. Sessions take place in Pierce Library computer lab, Room 209.

Learn more about scholarships at eou.edu/scholarships or contact Danny Bailey at scholarships@eou.edu.

Written by PR Intern Briana Rosenkranz.