Known for its quirky modern traditions and its embodiment of the Wild West, Oregon is truly a great state. Oregon is also well-known for its abundance of a particular green resource. That’s right – Oregon is loaded with scholarship money. There are many scholarships and grants in Oregon just waiting to fund your higher education adventure. And believe us, you’re going to want to take advantage of these funding opportunities in this post of the best scholarships in Oregon.
Oregon is no stranger to the national student debt crisis. The average student debt for college graduates in Oregon sits at around $27,697. That could buy you quite a few cups of coffee! With the steady rise in college costs – many people are reluctant to pursue higher education at all. Ridiculous! Education should be accessible to those who are willing and eager to learn. College is difficult – affording it shouldn’t be any more difficult than it needs to be.
Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a tentative list of academic awards and grants in Oregon – including scholarships for Oregon State University. Maybe you sit on the other side of their historic rivalry with the University of Oregon? Have no fear – we’ve included some hefty UO scholarships as well. Welcome to the Oregon trail of scholarships!
Looking for scholarships in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.
This post is part of our Ultimate FAQ for Applying to Scholarships.
The Best Scholarships in Oregon for High-Achieving Students
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Blue Wolfe Scholarship
- Description: Oregon residents planning on studying in-state are eligible for this academic award. Preference is given to students who will be graduating from a Portland high school.
- Amount: Varies
- Requirements: Have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be attending an Oregon public or for-profit university. This scholarship is restricted to Oregon residents. Preference is also given to students who have graduated from a Portland Metropolitan high school.
- How to Apply: Interested students must contact the scholarship processing coordinator listed on the funding organization’s website.
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Greenfield Peace Writing Scholarship Awards
- Description: This scholarship contest challenges politically-minded Oregon high school students to voice their opinions on pressing social issues through the written word. Through the Greenfield Peace Writing Scholarship Competition, students weigh in on relevant topics affecting the United States and beyond.
- Amount: Varies
- Requirements: Open to 11th and 12th grad students
- How to Apply: Students must compete in the Greenfield Peace Writing Scholarship competition. Application information available on the funding organization’s website.
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Linda C. Eby Scholarship
- Description: This scholarship honors the service of Linda C. Eby, a school counselor working for the Oregon School Counselor Association Board, by awarding an academically talented Oregon high school senior.
- Amount: $3,000 (1) and $1,000 (2)
- Requirements: This scholarship is restricted to high school seniors in Oregon.
- How to Apply: Complete the scholarship materials available on the funding organization’s website before the deadline.
The Best Scholarships in Oregon for Minorities and Underrepresented Groups
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Oregon Dove Scholarship
- Description: The Oregon Dove Scholarship awards female high school seniors that embody the educational commitment of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The scholarship exists to encourage higher education among underserved urban residents of Portland.
- Amount: Varies
- Requirements: Applicants must be female high school seniors in the Portland Metropolitan Area and planning on entering a four year college or university. A minimum GPA of 3.0 or a GED score of at least 525 is required.
- How to Apply: Application materials and contact information are available on the funding organization’s website.
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Hearthstone Housing Foundation
- Description: Students from low-income households are eligible for this generous scholarship.
- Amount: $5,000
- Requirements: Students must demonstrate financial need and be between 15-25 years of age. Students must be residents of a Hearthstone Housing Foundation property or reside within a county where a Hearthstone property is located. Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- How to Apply: Application materials available on the funding organization’s website.
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Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Scholarship
- Description: Students of Hispanic ancestry can apply to this cultural organization’s generous scholarship program.
- Amount: Varies
- Requirements: Students must currently attend high school in Oregon or Clark County, Washington and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a strong background in extra-curricular activities and community service are given preference.
- How to Apply: Application materials are available on the funding organization’s website.
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Rebecca and Sada Tarshis Memorial Scholarship
- Description: The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation annually supports 13 Jewish students by providing tuition assistance.
- Amount: $1,000-$3,000
- Requirements: Student must demonstrate both academic merit and financial need.
- How to Apply: Application materials available on the funding organization’s website.
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Lester & Annette Goldschmidt Hillel Scholarship Fund
- Description: The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation also supports a pool of University of Oregon scholarships to be awarded to Jewish residents of Oregon. This scholarship is also renewable every year.
- Amount: $1,000 annually
- Requirements: Students must be Jewish residents of Oregon and attend the University of Oregon.
- How to Apply: Application materials available on the funding organization’s website.
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Black United Fund of Oregon
- Description: The Black United Fund of Oregon aims to support the educational goals of black Oregon residents.
- Amount: Varies
- Requirements: Available to Oregon students of black or African-American heritage.
- How to Apply: Create an account on the funding organization’s application portal.
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Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Scholarships
- Description: This cultural organization supports a long list of scholarships available to graduating high school seniors of Chinese ancestry. Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of factors – from academic performance to athletic participation to financial need.
- Amount: Varies based on scholarship
- Requirements: Varies based on scholarship
- How to Apply: A tentative list of scholarships supported by the institution are available on their website.
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Oregon Opportunity Grant
- Description: Grants in Oregon, such as the OOG, aim to provide state-level support to students demonstrating significant financial need.
- Amount: $3,300 (4-year college or university) or $2,700 (community college)
- Requirements: Oregon residents and eligible noncitizens residing in Oregon are able to apply. Students must be enrolled in an institution at least half-time and demonstrate financial need on their FAFSA.
- How to Apply: Application materials available on the Oregon Student Aid website.
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Ford Opportunity Program
- Description: This program assists single parents in pursuit of a degree.
- Amount: Covers 90% of college costs unmet by additional scholarships
- Requirements: Be a resident of Oregon or Siskiyou County, California. Students must be single parents with custody of dependent children, filing as “head of household” with the IRS. This program can be applied for both associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
- How to Apply: Students must submit their FAFSA and follow additional instructions on the funding organization’s website.
The Best Field-Specific Scholarships in Oregon
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ACEC Oregon Scholarship
- Field: Engineering
- Description: High-achieving prospective engineering students should consider this generous program supporting the next generation of engineers.
- Amount: $2,500 annually
- Requirements: Students attending any Oregon four-year college that offers engineering accreditation are eligible. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.30 and either a total SAT of 1800 or an ACT composite of at least 28. Students must be enrolled full-time.
- How to Apply: Application materials are available on the funding organization’s website.
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Mike Hopper Memorial Scholarship
- Field: Agriculture
- Description: The Mike Hopper Memorial Scholarship awards students pursuing a career in farming.
- Amount: $1,000
- Requirements: Students must be residents of Umatilla County, Oregon, and pursuing a two-year or four-year degree program in any major related to agriculture. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required.
- How to Apply: Application materials are available through the Future Farmers of America website.
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The OAN Sid and Cindy Miles Nursery Award
- Field: Horticulture
- Description: The Oregon Association of Nurseries supports students preparing for a career in ornamental horticulture and other related fields, such as floriculture or turf-related studies.
- Amount: $1,000
- Requirements: Students must have graduated from an Oregon high school. Preference is given to students planning on pursuing work in a horticulture-related industry.
- How to Apply: Application materials are available through the funding organization’s website.
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Oregon Space Grant Consortium Scholarship and Fellowship Program
- Field: STEM
- Description: Supported by NASA, this collection of STEM grants in Oregon fosters the educational goals of future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Requirements: Be an Oregon resident pursuing either a two- or four-year degree program.
- How to Apply: Application materials are available on the funding organization’s website.
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H.H. Gibson Memorial Scholarship
- Field: Agriculture
- Description: Students interested in a career in agriculture should consider the H.H. Gibson Memorial scholarship – one of many scholarships for Oregon State University.
- Amount: $500
- Requirements: Students must have completed the agriculture education program in high school and rank in the upper one-third of their graduating class. Applicants must then enroll full-time at Oregon State University.
- How to Apply: Application materials and contact information is available on the Oregon Future Farmers of America website.
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Babe Coe Memorial Scholarship
- Field: Agriculture
- Description: This 4-H scholarship awards students who embody the philosophy of the 4-H program: character-building, leadership, and citizenship.
- Amount: $1,000
- Requirements: Applicants must be currently enrolled in 4-H and have completed a minimum of five years in the program (including the application year). Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors residing in one of the following Oregon counties: Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, or Waso. The student must demonstrate financial need.
- How to Apply: Students must complete the state 4-H scholarship application and Oregon 4-H financial need form. Students must also provide a transcript of their grades. Additional information is available through the funding organization’s website.
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Associated Oregon Loggers Scholarship Program
- Field: Forestry
- Description: The Associated Oregon Loggers Association offers scholarships for students pursuing a degree program from a four-year college of forestry.
- Amount: $1,500 annually
- Requirements: Students must be pursuing a degree program related to forestry.
- How to Apply: Application materials available on the funding organization’s website.
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Martha MacGregor 4-H Scholarship
- Field: Agriculture
- Description: Another 4-H scholarship, this scholarship assists a 4-H member. The MacGregor Scholarship is one of many agricultural awards for Oregon State University – an institution with a rich history in training future farmers and agricultural managers.
- Amount: $2,000
- Requirements: Student must be attending Oregon State University. Applicant must be a 4-H member enrolled during the current year in a 4-H project or activity. The student must also have completed a minimum of three years of 4-H (which may include the current year). Scholarship winners must complete one term of college before the money can be awarded.
- How to Apply: Students must complete and submit a state 4-H scholarship application and provide a transcript of their grades and standardized test scores. Additional application information is available on the funding organization’s website.
The Best Scholarships for Oregon Colleges and Universities
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Stamps Scholarship
- School: University of Oregon
- Description: By far one of the most prestigious UO scholarships, ten talented students receive the Stamps Scholarship every year – five in-state and five out-of-state students. Recipients receive tuition, fees, room, and board for all four years of undergraduate study.
- Amount: Complete tuition & fees
- Requirements: This scholarship program is only available to incoming domestic freshmen. A minimum 3.85 GPA is required, along with a minimum 1300 SAT or 28 ACT. Students with a strong history of scholarship, leadership, and community service are encouraged to apply.
- How to Apply: Apply for admission to the University of Oregon by November 1st. After submitting your application, students should receive an invitation to enter the UO Scholarship Dashboard. Students must then submit the Stamps Scholarship Application prior to November 15th and their associated materials by November 22nd. Additional information available on the University of Oregon’s financial aid office website.
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Presidential Scholarship
- School: University of Oregon
- Description: Another competitive UO scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship awards talented incoming freshmen who demonstrate strong leadership skills and volunteer service activities.
- Amount: $9,000 annually
- Requirements: Students must be Oregon residents who graduate from an Oregon high school. A minimum 3.85 GPA is required, along with a minimum 1300 SAT or 28 ACT.
- How to Apply: Apply for admission to the University of Oregon by January 15th. After submitting your application, students should receive an invitation to enter the UO Scholarship Dashboard. Students must then submit the Presidential Scholarship Application by January 31st and their associated materials by February 15th.
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Diversity Excellence Scholarship
- School: University of Oregon
- Description: This UO scholarship celebrates the academic talents of students from varied cultural perspectives. This scholarship provides additional assistance to students from non-traditional backgrounds.
- Amount: $6,500 (undergraduate); $9,000 (graduate)
- Requirements: Students must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Only domestic students may apply.
- How to Apply: Students must be applying for admission to the University of Oregon or be currently enrolled. Application materials are available on the University of Oregon financial aid office website.
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Presidential Scholarship
- School: Oregon State University
- Description: One of the most generous scholarships for Oregon State University, the Presidential Scholarship inspires students to do their absolute best in their academic careers and onward. Presidential Scholars have gone on to receive national recognition and other impressive educational grants later in their careers.
- Amount: $10,000 annually
- Requirements: Students must be current Oregon high school seniors and be considered Oregon residents at the time of admission. A minimum 3.85 unweighted high school GPA is required, along with a minimum SAT score of 1360 or an ACT score of 29.
- How to Apply: Eligible students must apply to OSU before February 1st. No additional application is required for this scholarship.
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Four Years Free
- School: Portland State University
- Description: This program covers standard tuition and mandatory fees per term for first-year students that meet both academic and financial aid requirements.
- Amount: Full tuition
- Requirements: Students must be a current resident of Oregon and have graduated from an Oregon high school. A minimum 3.4 GPA is required. Students must also be eligible for a federal Pell grant as determined by the FAFSA.
- How to Apply: Students must submit the FAFSA before February 1st of their application cycle. Eligible students will be notified of their acceptance in mid- to late April. Application materials available through the Portland State University financial aid office website.
The majority of these scholarships and grants in Oregon are restricted to Oregon residents – so if you call the great state of Oregon home you’re already at a major advantage in your scholarship hunt over the rest of the country. Just to reiterate, scholarships for Oregon State University – such as the generous Presidential Scholarship – are only open to Oregon residents. This means the application pool is super small! There are also a plethora of scholarships dedicated to maintaining diversity in high education. Several UO scholarships – including the Diversity Excellence Scholarship – aim to create a culturally diverse learning environment. Although the large state institutions tend to attract a lot of attention, Oregon is still home to a variety of smaller private colleges, community colleges, and other forms of post-secondary institution. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the financial aid offices for whatever Oregon institutions you may be interested in. Chances are that, whatever you want to study, Oregon can provide a wonderful education for you. Happy hunting!
Hope you found this detailed guide to the best scholarships in Oregon helpful. If you’re looking for more scholarships to apply for, check out our other scholarship lists here.
Also, if you need go-to places for scholarships, you’ll want to read our post on the top scholarship sites to use here.
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