Oregon Promise Scholarships

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Home > About > MESD Board of Directors > Oregon Promise Scholarships

Promise of Oregon Scholarship Awards

Deadline extended to February 10, 2017
The Multnomah Education Service District board of directors announces that it will be awarding $5,000 in college scholarships in 2017. These scholarship awards are intended to recognize and support the work of students exhibiting outstanding promise, resiliency, determination, and readiness for post-secondary success. The board intends to award multiple scholarships, between $500 and $2,500 each, to outstanding students pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. These scholarships, which will be awarded through a competitive application process, can be applied to any type of college-related expenses, including tuition, books and materials, mentoring/coaching, and cost of living in on or off campus housing.

Who is eligible?

Any student between the age of 17 and 22, who receives currently (or has received in the past) direct services through Multnomah Education Service District programs and plans to graduate in the spring-summer of 2017 with a diploma (modified diploma also accepted), and then to begin a degree-granting college or university (this includes community colleges) Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, or Certificate, program in the Fall of 2017, is eligible to apply.

If you are currently, or have been within the last three years, a student at any of the following MESD schools or programs, you are eligible to apply:

• Helensview
• Wheatley
• Arata Creek
• Burlingame Creek
• Migrant Education
• Donald E. Long
• Three Lakes
• Ocean Dunes
• Wynne Watts
• Yamhill Juvenile Detention Facility
• Hospital School Program at OHSU Doernbecher, Providence Willamette Falls, Randall Children's Hospital 

You are still eligible to apply for this scholarship even if you don’t currently attend one of the programs listed above. Additionally, students who receive transition or other special education services through MESD are also eligible to apply.

What do I need to complete my application?

To complete your application, please submit the following:

1. Up to three page cover letter, in which you describe who you are; what MESD programs or services you have taken part in during high school, and what benefit or positive outcomes you’ve experienced because of these programs; what you hope to learn and achieve in college (including your current plans for a major and/or minor) and how it relates to your long-term career and professional goals; and what your plan is for financing your education.

2. A copy of your complete high school academic record through December of 2016.

3. Up to two (2) recommendation letters from teachers, coaches, or other education staff that can speak persuasively as to why you are deserving of consideration for this scholarship.

4. On a single page, please provide a complete listing of the colleges or universities to which you have applied or to which you intend to apply. Include the name of the institution, the city/state where it is located, the date of your application, and the application status (please list one of the following for each institution: Applied and Admitted; Applied and Wait Listed; Applied and Awaiting Response; Applied and Declined; or Not Yet Applied).

Please note: the MESD board will consider awarding scholarships to any/all accredited, not for profit post-secondary educational institutions. We will not consider awarding scholarships to students intending to seek degrees at higher education institutions that lack degree-granting accreditation or are for-profit entities. If you have questions about this, please consult with your family, college counselor, or with an admissions representative from the college/s to which you are applying.

When is the application due?

You may submit your application materials any time between December 14, 2016 and February 10, 2017. The final deadline for all applications is 5 pm on Friday, February 10, 2017. Please email your completed applications to Heather Severns, board secretary, at hseverns@mesd.k12.or.us or mail it to Ms. Severns at the following mailing address:

Promise of Oregon MESD Scholarship Awards
Attn: Heather Severns, Board Secretary
Multnomah Education Service District
11611 NE Ainsworth Circle
Portland, OR  97220

Additional questions or requests for accommodations or supports may also be directed to Ms. Severns.

Timeline:

• Applications begin being accepted: January 2, 2017
• Applications are due: Friday, February 3, 2017
• Applications reviewed by board: February 6 to 10, 2017
• Finalist candidates notified: February 13, 2017
• Finalist interviews with board: February 20 to March 3, 2017
• Finalists reviewed by board to recommend award winners: March 6 to 10, 2017
• Award winners voted on by board, then notified: early to mid March
• Award winners receive scholarship funds at public board meeting: March 21, 2017

The MESD board will thoughtfully review and consider all applications, and is responsible for interviewing finalists and selecting the two scholarship award winners.