Financial Aid at OIT?

Hello! Has anyone here attended Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and received financial aid? Can you shed some light on how their financial aid package works? Thanks in advance!

While I haven't attended Oregon Institute of Technology, I certainly can share some information that might answer your question. At OIT, both need-based and merit-based financial aid are offered to students.

First, let's talk about need-based aid. This type of aid comes from the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which creates a Student Aid Index (SAI). Your SAI is used by OIT's financial aid office to determine your financial aid package. It's worth noting that the SAI can go down to negative $1500 — the more negative this number is, the more need-based aid you are likely to receive.

Merit-based aid is another type of financial aid OIT provides. This aid hinges on factors such as your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, etc. Merit-based aid includes scholarships and grants offered by OIT or external organizations that specifically take your educational performance into consideration.

At OIT, a financial aid package could consist of grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans, aimed at closing the gap between the cost of attendance and what you can afford to pay. You'll see things like Federal Pell Grants, state grants, institutional grants, and possibly federal work-study in the package if you qualify for need-based aid. Remember, grants and scholarships are considered gift aid, meaning they do not need to be paid back.

Finally, be sure to check out OIT's net price calculator on their website, which will give you a rough estimate of the financial aid you might receive. Remember to apply for financial aid as early as possible because some aid types are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.