Chemeketa Scholars
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Determining Eligibility

When can I apply for the scholarship?
For the 2010-11 academic year, we will begin accepting application materials on March 1, 2010. Applications submitted before this date will be returned to you. The deadline is March 31, 2010 at 5 pm. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. The Chemeketa Scholars application will be available on the web in late February.

What does the scholarship pay for?
The scholarship pays full tuition for up to two years. Fees, books and other miscellaneous expenses are not covered.

Who qualifies for this scholarship?
Applicants must:

• Be graduating with a regular diploma from a high school within Chemeketa’s district
  or
  Be residing permanently within our district (if attending a high school outside our district)
  or
  Be receiving a home-school diploma (while residing permanently within our district)
• Have earned a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or better as of first semester/quarter grades of final year in high school (home-schooled students must have minimum ACT or SAT test scores)
• Earn minimum COMPASS placement test scores of 80 in Reading and 64 in Writing (a minimum math score is not required,although you must take the math placement test); SAT/ACT substitutions are not allowed in lieu of placement tests.
• Enroll at Chemeketa the fall term immediately following your high school graduation or diploma completion
• Enroll full-time with a minimum of 12 credits

I am a home-schooled student. Am I eligible?
Yes, as long as your permanent residence is within Chemeketa’s district and you earn either an ACT composite score of 27 or SAT Reasoning Test combined score of 1,200 in Critical Reading and Math.

Do I have to be a registered home school student to be eligible for the scholarship?
Yes, per ORS 339.035, all scholarship applicants that are home schooled must be registered with the Willamette Education Service District (WESD) as a home school student within 10 days of withdrawing from public or private school, and meet all program requirements set forth by the WESD. 

I live or attend high school within Chemeketa’s district and I am graduating early. Am I eligible?
Yes, seniors graduating a semester early and juniors graduating a year early are all eligible, as long as you meet the program's minimum requirements.

I am a 5th year high school student in the Early College program. Am I eligible?
Yes, as long as you meet minimum program requirements.

I am earning a modified high school diploma. Am I eligible?
No, only students receiving a regular high school (or home school) diploma are eligible.

I don’t attend a high school within Chemeketa’s district, but I live within the district. Am I eligible?
Yes, as long as you meet the program's minimum requirements and can verify your permanent residence is within Chemeketa’s district boundaries. If you’re unsure, contact your county’s elections office.

I joined the military immediately after I graduated high school and have just been discharged. Am I eligible?
Yes, newly discharged military personnel are eligible as long as the following criteria are met:

• Meet minimum program requirements for high school or home-schooled students
• Joined the military within three months of graduating from high school
• Enroll at Chemeketa within one year of military discharge

I am an international student. Am I eligible?
No, this scholarship program is intended for students from our district only.

What if my GPA at my high school is 3.4 and not 3.5 as the scholarship requires?
A minimum 3.5 GPA is required to qualify for the scholarship. No exceptions will be granted and no appeals can be made for decisions regarding ineligibility due to grades.

If my weighted GPA is 3.5 or better, am I eligible for the scholarship?
No, your GPA must be at least 3.5, unweighted.

If I am on an IEP, does it transfer from my high school to Chemeketa?
No, your IEP does not transfer from high school to Chemeketa. If you have a documented disability or are on an IEP, we encourage you to contact Disability Services immediately after you have been accepted into Chemeketa Scholars.

Is there a minimum age to be considered as a Chemeketa Scholar?
Yes, you must be at least 16 years old or have a high school diploma before the first day of fall term class.

Do I have to be eligible for federal financial aid in order to qualify for this scholarship?
No, you do not have to qualify for federal financial aid in order to be considered for Chemeketa Scholars. We encourage you to apply for financial aid to help cover other college-related expenses. The process can take 12 weeks or more, so apply early.

What is Chemeketa’s district?
Our district includes most of Marion and Polk Counties and parts of Yamhill and Linn Counties. If your permanent residence is located within the boundaries of Chemeketa’s district, you are eligible for the scholarship. If you’re not sure, you can contact your county’s elections office to verify.

Which high schools are in Chemeketa’s district?
If you are graduating from one of these schools, you are eligible for Chemeketa Scholars.

Maintaining Eligibility

Can I take more than 12 credits per term?
Yes, the scholarship will pay up to a maximum of 18 credits each term.

Can I enroll in summer 2010 or do I have to wait to start in fall 2010?
You may start college either term. However, the scholarship will only pay tuition beginning fall term. Should you choose to enroll in the summer, you will be responsible for paying the tuition.

Can I take classes at any of Chemeketa's campuses and centers?
Yes, Chemeketa offers classes in a variety of locations.You may take your classes at locations convenient for you.

Can I take online classes?
Yes, however, you are responsible for the additional $50 online class fee. The scholarship pays only for tuition, not fees and books.

I understand that I must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or better while enrolled at Chemeketa. When are GPAs checked for eligibility?
Grades are checked at the end of spring term to verify that a 3.25 GPA has been maintained to determine eligibility for the following year.

What if I enroll as a full-time student with 12 credits but I drop some classes?
You must earn a total of 36 credits by the end of spring term. If 12 credits are not completed during a term, the remaining credits must be made up before the end of spring term. For example, if you register for 12 credits during winter term, but only complete nine credits, you would need to take 15 credits during spring term to make up those three credits in order to have a total of 36 credits by the end of the academic year. You must register for a minimum of 12 credits each term to have scholarship funds applied to your account.

What happens if I fall below the 3.25 minimum GPA requirement or complete fewer than 12 credits in any term?
You may be required to meet with an academic advisor and you risk losing your scholarship. 

I have previously taken some Chemeketa courses. Are those courses counted in my Chemeketa GPA?
Yes and no. Technically, these previous courses are included and calculated into your cumulative Chemeketa GPA and will affect your GPA accordingly. That is your official Chemeketa GPA, which is reflected in your student record and on your college transcript. However, to maintain your scholarship, only the courses you have taken as a Chemeketa Scholar are used to calculate your continued eligibility. Your previous courses before becoming a Chemeketa Scholar will not be taken into account. You must have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA at the end of your first year as a Chemeketa Scholar in order to receive the scholarship for the second year. You can use a GPA calculator for assistance in calculating your GPA.

More Information

If you would like more information about Chemeketa Scholars, contact us at 503.399.5076 or by e-mail.

Updated September 25, 2009 by Marketing and Student Recruitment.