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Chemeketa Foundation Scholarship Application Tips

Follow these tips and best practices to increase your changes of receiving a scholarship offer.

New Scholarship System in 2023

This year, we are launching a new scholarship system to manage applications and award notices. You will notice that our new application features many of the same questions and requirements as our previous application. You will still find helpful information from the instructional video below, but please know that the application format and login process have changed.

We appreciate your patience as we work through updating our materials to reflect the changes. In the meantime, please stop by our office on the Salem Campus in Building 5, Room 264 or email us at foundation@chemeketa.edu with any questions.

Tips Before You Begin

  • If you're a new student, you will need your cumulative GPA from the last educational institution attended or your GED score
  • You will need your estimated family contribution (EFC) score by filling out your FAFSA or ORSAA application before you apply
  • You may edit or review your online application at any time during the application window, but changes must be made before the deadline
  • See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information

How to Apply

Applications are accepted February 1 through April 15 this year.

This may be your only opportunity to apply for Chemeketa Foundation scholarships. Complete just one application to be considered for our awards. If you qualify for one of our scholarships, you will be matched to that opportunity and added to a pool of finalists. Late applications will not be considered.

Steps to apply –

  • Visit chemeketa.academicworks.com
  • Log into the scholarship portal using your Chemeketa user name and password
  • Select My Applications to fill out the general application
    • You can log in to make changes to your application at any time during the application window
    • You can update your application materials at any time, until the application deadline, by selecting My Applications and clicking Update under the General Applications section
  • Eligibility depends on complete answers to all questions

If you have already submitted your application, you will be redirected to your Scholarship Opportunities Dashboard where you can review any pending scholarship offers, or any other items for review.

Scholarship Workshops

We will be hosting virtual workshops over the application cycle to answer questions and assist you in completing our online scholarship application. Below are available times and links to attend. No need to register in advance.

Virtual Workshops-

  • Monday, February 6 | 10 am - 11 am | Zoom Link
  • Tuesday, February 21 | 2 pm - 3 pm | Zoom Link
  • Monday, March 6 | 9 am - 10 am | Zoom Link
  • Tuesday, March 21 | 1 pm - 2 pm | Zoom Link
  • Tuesday, April 4 | 11 am - Noon | Zoom Link
  • Tuesday, April 11 | 2 pm - 3 pm | Zoom Link

In-person Workshops

For in-person assistance, visit our scholarship coordinator at the Salem Campus in Building 5, Room 264 on Fridays, between 9 am - 11 am and 2  pm - 4 pm.

Feel free to call or email with any questions, of if you prefer an in-depth look at applying, check out this video tutorial featuring much of the same information as our new scholarship system.

 

Short Answer Questions

While these questions are not required, many community-based scholarship may give preference to students responding to these prompts. Please respond to any of the following questions if they are relevant to your experiences. You will have up to 200 words for each response.

  1. Describe any obstacles or barriers you have had to overcome or will need to overcome to be successful in your chosen field.
  2. Describe how you have demonstrated—through personal experiences and/or public commitment—a dedication to the interests of Latinx communities and why is this important or relevant to the work you will do in your chosen field.
  3. Describe how you have demonstrated—through personal experiences and/or public commitment—a dedication to the interests of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, and why is this important or relevant to the work you will do in your chosen field.
  4. Describe how you have demonstrated—through personal experiences and/or public commitment—a dedication to the interests of the LGBTQ+ community, and why is this important or relevant to the work you will do in your chosen field.

Essay & Activities Questions

In the essay section of the application, you must respond to the first two questions (200-300 words each) –

  1. GOALS ESSAY: Describe your educational and future career goals. Include what steps you have taken and tell us what motivates and/or inspires you to reach these goals. Include how long you have attended Chemeketa, if you have been accepted into your program of study, or if you have applied for or are taking prerequisites for your program of study. Be sure to list your specific program in your essay including which degree or certificate you will be pursuing. Ex: For Hospitality - Event Management Certificate, Lodging Management Certificate, etc.
  2. EXPERIENCE ESSAY: Write about one or more of the following experiences and why it was meaningful for you:
    -Been in a leadership position in a school, community or work organization
    -Volunteered or worked to help others or to improve your school/community
    -Worked at a job that was meaningful to you
    -Served in the military
    *Answer all that apply. If none apply to you, tell us more about you.
  3. VINEYARD ESSAY: If you are a student in Vineyard Management, you may be considered for the Bryce Bagnall & Supporters of Bryce Scholarship. This scholarship requires applicants to write a 250-300 word essay based on the following instructions –

The Oregon wine industry demonstrated extraordinary generosity to Bryce Bagnall and his family when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2003. As a future member of this wine industry community, how will you carry forward the spirit of community mindedness during your career? List three specific ways you plan to participate in, serve and benefit your Oregon wine industry neighbors and colleagues.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the Chemeketa Foundation scholarships?

    These scholarships are for new or returning students who plan to attend Chemeketa. Contributions come from local businesses, grant organizations, members of the community, and Chemeketa staff.

    Where can I see a list of scholarships or get additional information about Chemeketa scholarships?

    For more information, including tips and guidelines, visit the Chemeketa Community College foundation webpage.

    Where can I get the application?

    The Chemeketa Foundation Scholarship application is available online. To access it, students must log in using  their Chemeketa user name and password during the application window at chemeketa.academicworks.com. You will not be able to access the application before or after the application period, but you can log in to review award offers and additional information about your application.

    What do I need to do before I can apply for the Chemeketa Foundation scholarships?

    Everyone interested in applying for these scholarships must first apply for admissions at Chemeketa. Once the admissions form is processed, your email account and login credentials will be created. You will need to log in using your Chemeketa user name and password to access the scholarship application and review your offers.

    Do I have to be eligible for FAFSA to receive a scholarship?

    No, you do not need to be eligible for federal financial aid to receive a scholarship but students must complete and submit one of the following (whichever applies). Links are available on the scholarship application –

    • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides access to federal financial aid which includes grants, loans and Federal Work Study jobs.
    • Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) is an alternative to FAFSA for Oregon residents who are undocumented Oregon students including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) status.
    • College Boards’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculator is an option for International students. Students do not have to sign in to obtain the EFC score estimate.

    What is an EFC score?

    The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) score is a measure of how much money you and your family are expected to contribute toward your educational expenses for one academic year. By applying for FAFSA or the EFC calculator or ORSAA you will obtain the EFC score. This score is required on the scholarship application.  

    I can't find my EFC score

    • In the FAFSA or ORSAA, the EFC score is available in the Student Aid Report (SAR) PDF file, or
    • In the College Board’s Expected Family Contribution calculator, the EFC score is on the Result page (Federal Methodology).

    I clicked on one of the links on the application to complete the FAFSA, ORSAA, or College Board EFC calculator, but when I try to go back to the application, it wasn't there. What happened?

    When you click on a link in the scholarship application, it may open in your current window. To avoid this, right click the link and select Open in New Window. This will allow you to remain in the application. If you get logged out, simply log back in and select Update on your General Application to continue submitting your information. We recommend saving periodically throughout the process to ensure you do not lose your work.

    How do I apply for the different Chemeketa scholarships that you offer?

    When you complete the scholarship application online, you will be automatically considered for all the Foundation scholarships based on your eligibility. You will not need to review the list the scholarships or apply to them individually. We recommend you use Google Chrome and not Internet Explorer when accessing and completing the application.

    When can I apply?

    The Chemeketa Foundation accepts applications once a year. It is available 12 am on February 1 and typically closes 11:59 pm on March 31. Your scholarship will be for the following academic year (Summer-Spring).

    My personal information on the application is incorrect. How do I correct this

    Contact Enrollment Services at 503.399.5001 to change your personal information.

    Do I need to have my GED certificate before I apply for scholarships?

    If you do not have a GPA, please call the GED Department at Chemeketa at 503.399.5224 for assistance.

    Do I need my GPA or GED score?

    Yes, your GPA and/or GED scores are required on the application –

    • Current students: your cumulative GPA from the last term you completed at Chemeketa will automatically populate onto the application
    • If you have earned a GED and do not have a GPA, call the GED Department at Chemeketa at 503.399.5224 for assistance
    • New students: enter your cumulative GPA from the last educational institution you attended, whether high school or another college

    It’s been a long time since I was in high school or I obtained my GED. What do I do?

    • Current Chemeketa students: your current GPA is automatically pre-filled to the application
    • New students must either –
      • Contact the Board of Education Department in the state you obtained your GED, or
      • Contact the high school you graduated from to obtain an unofficial transcript.

    In the application, what do I do if my program or major is not listed or I am not sure what I am going to study?

    You can select “Unknown/Undecided” at the bottom of the drop down list under Desired Program. Be sure to state what you plan to study while at Chemeketa in your goals essay.

    Currently, I am in the automotive program but I am changing my program to nursing for next year. What program do I list on the application?

    List the program you intend to pursue for the academic year you are applying for a scholarship. If you are offered a specific program scholarship, you will be required to enroll in the courses for that program.

    In the Specific Criteria section, none of the questions apply to me. Does that mean I am not eligible for any scholarships?

    No, the criteria questions are for specific scholarships. There are several scholarships that as long as you pursue a certificate or degree you are eligible.

    Do I have to write an essay to receive a scholarship?

    Yes, it is important you write an essay describing your educational and career goals. Otherwise, it may eliminate you from being considered for a scholarship. If the other essays or short answer questions apply to you, we suggest you respond to those questions for the best chance at receiving a scholarship. Committee members read essays when considering applicants for scholarships.

    Last year while I was writing the essays, it kept timing out. Is this going to happen again?

    Be sure to periodically save your application while you are working on it to ensure you do not lose progress. The application may time out due to inactivity. If it times out, your most recent changes may not be saved. 

    To avoid timing out, we recommend typing your essay and short answer responses in a Word document and then copy and paste it to the application. For your convenience, the essay questions are also available on the public Chemeketa Foundation webpage if you wish to answer them ahead of time.

    I just realized I entered the wrong information on my application. How can I correct it?

    You can log back into the online application to edit or review at any time throughout the application period. You will not be able to access the application after the deadline.

    What is the definition of first-generation?

    For this application, you are a first-generation student if neither of your parents graduated from college. This does not include brothers, sisters or other relatives.

    How do I know if my application has been received?

    After you submit the application, you will receive an email at your My Chemeketa email address confirming it has been received. You can also log back into the scholarship portal to review your submitted application. If you are missing any required information, your dashboard will have a section called Needs Attention where you will see your incomplete application.

    Will I be notified whether I get a scholarship or not?

    Students will be notified, as committees make their selection, at your My Chemeketa email address beginning in April and throughout the summer. Therefore, it is very important you check your email weekly. If you do not accept the scholarship by the deadline it will be canceled and re-offered to another student. If you missed the award notification email and it is now past the deadline, notify our foundation office via email so we know that you are an active student and interested in receiving other scholarship offers that may be offered to you throughout the year.

    Students not selected for a scholarship during the first round will be notified at the end of June. As funds become available, all applications are reconsidered. Therefore, it is important you check your My Chemeketa email weekly throughout the summer.

    Do I have to pay back the funds I receive?

    The Chemeketa Community College Foundation Scholarship funds are to be used for tuition, fees, textbooks and other educational expenses. You do not have to pay back funds unless you receive funds and then drop all classes.

    I applied for the nursing or dental program, but I don’t expect an acceptance notification to the program until the end of summer. Should I apply for scholarships during the application period?

    Yes, you should apply. Students applying for the Nursing, Dental, Fire Science and Paramedic programs are considered for all scholarships, in addition to scholarships that are specific to their program. Make sure to select the program you are pursuing as your academic goal – even if you are unsure you will be accepted.

    In August, only students that have submitted a scholarship application during the application period and are accepted in the programs listed above will be considered for these scholarships.

    I have a question regarding the application. Who can help me?

    Instructions are available on the Chemeketa Foundation website or contact one of the following staff at one of the centers if you need help in person –

    I can’t access the application in My Chemeketa. I keep getting an error message. Who can help me?

    Contact the Chemeketa Help Desk at 503.399.7899.