State Updates...
Oregon State Update
Constance Alexander, OASFAA
www.teleport.com/~oasfaa

This past fall was a busy one for the Oregon association. After trying teleconference training for high school counselors the past several years, OASFAA and the Oregon Student Assistance Commission returned to the much requested 'in person' training. At five sites throughout the state, counselors were updated on the 2001-2002 financial aid process, including the excellent scholarship opportunities available.

Other fall activities include production of the OASFAA training video, "Getting Started with Financial Aid" and a Support Staff Workshop in Portland, on December 5, 2000. This December will also be our sixth year of presenting a statewide television program on financial aid, in coordination with Oregon Public Broadcasting. During the show, volunteers from financial aid offices around the state are kept hopping, as phones ring off the hook. On that evening, hundreds of families throughout Oregon take advantage of two hours' toll-free call-in time to ask questions specific to their situation. February 4-6 we anticipate over 200 attendees will enjoy the annual OASFAA conference on the Oregon Coast. The theme is "2001 Financial Aid-New Millennium" and planned sessions range from a variety of computer/electronic focused trainings such as "How Not to Make a PowerPoint Presentation", to sessions on Leadership, Team Building, and Coping with Change.