OVERVIEW
Opportunity Scholars is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides financial and academic support to students who lack the resources to obtain the technical certifications and college degrees that lead to high-demand, good-paying jobs. Along with helping students and their families with FAFSA forms and finding scholarship possibilities, Opportunity Scholars provides funding for dual enrollment classes, exams, post-secondary education/training, textbooks and other expenses associated with education.
1. Who is eligible for the Opportunity Scholars Program?
Opportunity Scholars (OS) provides pathways for career success to low-income students who wish to pursue a career in Healthcare, Education, Accounting, Information Technology or Building Trades and Construction.
2. What if a student enrolled in the program wants to change their career path?
OS works hard to assist students in identifying career pathways which fit their interests and abilities, but understands that sometimes students change their minds. We work with each student to determine if the new career pathway aligns with Opportunity Scholars. If it is aligned, we’ll continue to assist them in their new career choice. If it is not a designated OS pathway, we will refer them to resources that can guide them in their new direction.
3. What if a student fails a class that is being paid for by OS?
Students are expected to maintain passing grades to remain in our program. An academic coach is assigned to each student who monitors their course load and grades. If we determine that additional academic support is necessary, we will connect them with the appropriate educational resources.
4. Are students required to pay back education-related expenses covered by OS? If so, how much?
The OS program reduces the cost of post-secondary education by at least 75% of traditional four-year residential university expenses. Of the 25% not covered by grants, earnings from career-related work, scholarships and other forms of student financial assistance, most students will repay the remaining balance through an Income Share Agreement (ISA). Only AFTER students have completed their course of study AND are earning a good-paying job will students be required to pay a small percentage of their new salary until repayment is complete. This amount will vary according to each student’s situation. If a student's annual income is less than the level of income defined as a "basic sustainable living income," the student's ISA payments are deferred until their income reaches or exceeds that level. The basic sustainable income level will be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in cost of living and other factors. (Note: Some OS business partners have agreed to pay student education/ISA debt back if the student works for them. You can ask your counselor for a list of these employers.)
5. What if the student moves out of the area and no longer has access to an OS partner school?
Students who join the OS program agree to obtain their training and subsequent employment in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and surrounding counties. If the student moves outside of the Northern Shenandoah Valley area, in most circumstances, they will have to leave the Opportunity Scholars program. If an OS partner employer is paying the ISA repayment obligation on behalf of the student (now that the student is an employee), the employer will normally cease to pay the student's repayment obligation once the student ceases to work for them. Students who leave the area during their educational pathway will leave the OS program and will repay their education/ISA debt back to OS.
6. What type of support does the OS program offer?
The program provides three primary areas of support:
7. How can parents stay informed about their child’s participation in the program?
Parents and guardians are engaged in one-on-one conversations with OS program staff/counselors as well as periodic group discussions. On occasion, OS staff may engage pastors, coaches, family friends and school staff. These people may be asked to participate in the family discussions to offer additional support.
8. What if students do not have the proper documents?
Undocumented students in need of assistance beyond our capabilities will be directed to agencies whose focus is helping undocumented students acquire the paperwork needed to continue. OS will strive to aid students in obtaining documents as much as possible.
9. Are there income guidelines for program eligibility?
Income guidelines for program eligibility are defined as those families who qualify to receive free and reduced school lunch. Students who do not meet that criteria but feel they lack resources to obtain education past high school may be referred to OS for eligibility evaluation. In general, families and students who are not eligible for free and reduced lunch will not be eligible for the OS program.
Opportunity Scholars is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides financial and academic support to students who lack the resources to obtain the technical certifications and college degrees that lead to high-demand, good-paying jobs. Along with helping students and their families with FAFSA forms and finding scholarship possibilities, Opportunity Scholars provides funding for dual enrollment classes, exams, post-secondary education/training, textbooks and other expenses associated with education.
1. Who is eligible for the Opportunity Scholars Program?
Opportunity Scholars (OS) provides pathways for career success to low-income students who wish to pursue a career in Healthcare, Education, Accounting, Information Technology or Building Trades and Construction.
2. What if a student enrolled in the program wants to change their career path?
OS works hard to assist students in identifying career pathways which fit their interests and abilities, but understands that sometimes students change their minds. We work with each student to determine if the new career pathway aligns with Opportunity Scholars. If it is aligned, we’ll continue to assist them in their new career choice. If it is not a designated OS pathway, we will refer them to resources that can guide them in their new direction.
3. What if a student fails a class that is being paid for by OS?
Students are expected to maintain passing grades to remain in our program. An academic coach is assigned to each student who monitors their course load and grades. If we determine that additional academic support is necessary, we will connect them with the appropriate educational resources.
4. Are students required to pay back education-related expenses covered by OS? If so, how much?
The OS program reduces the cost of post-secondary education by at least 75% of traditional four-year residential university expenses. Of the 25% not covered by grants, earnings from career-related work, scholarships and other forms of student financial assistance, most students will repay the remaining balance through an Income Share Agreement (ISA). Only AFTER students have completed their course of study AND are earning a good-paying job will students be required to pay a small percentage of their new salary until repayment is complete. This amount will vary according to each student’s situation. If a student's annual income is less than the level of income defined as a "basic sustainable living income," the student's ISA payments are deferred until their income reaches or exceeds that level. The basic sustainable income level will be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in cost of living and other factors. (Note: Some OS business partners have agreed to pay student education/ISA debt back if the student works for them. You can ask your counselor for a list of these employers.)
5. What if the student moves out of the area and no longer has access to an OS partner school?
Students who join the OS program agree to obtain their training and subsequent employment in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and surrounding counties. If the student moves outside of the Northern Shenandoah Valley area, in most circumstances, they will have to leave the Opportunity Scholars program. If an OS partner employer is paying the ISA repayment obligation on behalf of the student (now that the student is an employee), the employer will normally cease to pay the student's repayment obligation once the student ceases to work for them. Students who leave the area during their educational pathway will leave the OS program and will repay their education/ISA debt back to OS.
6. What type of support does the OS program offer?
The program provides three primary areas of support:
- An academic coach.
- A liaison/connection between the student, their family, and their school/education institutional staff.
- Financial support to fund education expenses.
7. How can parents stay informed about their child’s participation in the program?
Parents and guardians are engaged in one-on-one conversations with OS program staff/counselors as well as periodic group discussions. On occasion, OS staff may engage pastors, coaches, family friends and school staff. These people may be asked to participate in the family discussions to offer additional support.
8. What if students do not have the proper documents?
Undocumented students in need of assistance beyond our capabilities will be directed to agencies whose focus is helping undocumented students acquire the paperwork needed to continue. OS will strive to aid students in obtaining documents as much as possible.
9. Are there income guidelines for program eligibility?
Income guidelines for program eligibility are defined as those families who qualify to receive free and reduced school lunch. Students who do not meet that criteria but feel they lack resources to obtain education past high school may be referred to OS for eligibility evaluation. In general, families and students who are not eligible for free and reduced lunch will not be eligible for the OS program.