Oregon has long been at the forefront of social progress, marking several milestones in history. It led the nation as the first state to support the 19th amendment granting women suffrage, pioneered the “bottle bill” system imposing deposits on specific beverage purchases, and notably, became the first state to decriminalize marijuana. Contributing to its progressive ethos are its esteemed higher education institutions, bolstered by various scholarships in Oregon for international students that empower bright students financially.
Scholarships In Oregon For International Students
Scholarships Offered By The Oregon Cattlemen’s Stewardship Fund
The OCSF Scholarships, provided by the Oregon Cattlemen’s Stewardship Fund, are open to current members of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and their family members. Eligible applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate-level students enrolled full-time at a community college or university for the upcoming academic year.
While applicants from all majors are welcome, they must demonstrate some connection to the livestock industry. The application deadline is May 1, 2024, and three scholarships worth $3000.00 each will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. Successful recipients will be notified by mail, and the scholarship awardees will be announced during the annual Midyear meeting.
Scholarship Offered By The American Legion Auxiliary Department Of Oregon
Amount: $1,000
Who Qualifies: Offspring or surviving spouse of a military veteran, or the partner of a veteran with disabilities.
Application Criteria: Academic transcript, four letters of recommendation, evidence of eligibility, and a written composition
The Oregon branch of the American Legion Auxiliary offers a single financial award applicable to an accredited two- or four-year institution. It targets individuals who are children or surviving spouses of veterans, or spouses of veterans facing disabilities.
As part of the application process, candidates must craft an essay addressing the question, “How does my commitment to country, community, school, and family shape my daily actions?” Selection of recipients is based on various factors, including capability, potential, integrity, perseverance, and demonstrated financial need.
Scholarship By Beat the Odds
Amount: $4,000
Qualifications: High school seniors attending a Lane County high school who have demonstrated resilience despite facing various challenges such as poverty, disabilities, homelessness, personal hardships, or systemic injustices.
Application Criteria: Minimum GPA of 3.0
The purpose of the Beat the Odds Scholarship is to support high school students in Oregon in recognizing the importance of pursuing higher education and overcoming financial barriers to achieve it. With statistics showing that one in three Oregon children don’t graduate from high school and nearly 40% of graduates don’t pursue college, this scholarship aims to assist those whose potential might be disregarded due to factors such as race, socioeconomic status, language background, or disabilities.
Recipients can renew the scholarship for up to four years, contingent upon meeting specified academic standards, and are required to create a video showcasing their achievements and the role of education in their success.
Scholarship For Public Safety Officers In Oregon
Funding: Maximum of $13,000
Application Deadline: Not specified
Who Can Apply: Residents of Oregon intending to enroll in a qualified post-secondary institution in Oregon. Applicants must be dependents of Oregon state public safety officers who have either passed away or sustained a permanent total disability while on or off duty.
Application Process: Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required.
Description:
This grant is designed to assist Oregon students who are dependents of state public safety officers facing the loss of a loved one or a permanent disability. Eligible public safety officers encompass various roles such as corrections officers, firefighters, parole and probation officers, police officers, reserve officers, and youth correction officers.
The Oregon Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant can be renewed for a maximum of four years, contingent upon the recipient’s satisfactory academic progress.
Scholarship For Leadership Diversity
Award: $10,000
Who Can Apply: Oregon residents who completed high school in Oregon and are enrolling full-time as freshmen in an Oregon trade school, community college, college, or university
What You Need to Apply: Transcript and three brief essays
The Diversity in Leadership Scholarship from the Oregon College Savings Plan is designed to assist students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing higher education within the state. Applicants must respond to three short essay prompts (each 150 words). The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, with $10,000 awarded in the first year and $5,000 in each subsequent year.
Scholarship For Peace In Greenfield
Award: $1,000
Qualifications: High school juniors or seniors residing in Oregon who are eligible for free lunch or SNAP benefits
Application Criteria: Submission of a video, up to three minutes in duration, featuring an original poem, song, or rap
The Greenfield Peace Scholarship encourages young individuals from Oregon to confront significant societal challenges and emerge as leaders in fostering a healthier, fairer, and more peaceful global community. To secure this scholarship, candidates are required to produce a video showcasing their performance of an original poem, song, or rap in response to a provided prompt.
Scholarships In Oregon For International Students
The PNACAC Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: High school seniors from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington who are preparing for college or students currently enrolled at a two-year college within these states
Application Criteria: Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and submit a one-minute video
This scholarship, provided by PNACAC, isn’t exclusive to Oregon, but it’s definitely worth considering for young Oregonians. The PNACAC Scholarship is a one-time grant applicable for attendance at any regionally accredited college or university, including public and private institutions as well as tribal colleges.
Scholarship For Leadership In The Oregon Community
Award: $5,000
Qualifications: Oregon high school student dedicated to enrolling in an Oregon college, university, or vocational school
Application Criteria: Written essay, two recommendation letters, and evidence of community service
The Oregon Community Leadership Scholarship, funded by the Harrington Family Foundation, created by former University of Oregon and NFL quarterback Joey Harrington in 2002, offers need-based assistance.
This renewable scholarship, valued at $20,000, demands meeting specific academic standards. Beyond financial aid, it furnishes mentorship to assist awardees in navigating their educational and professional paths.
Sub Pop’s Scholarship For Underachievers
Award Amount: $5,000 to $7,500
Eligibility: High school seniors graduating from Oregon or Washington and intending to pursue full-time enrollment at a college or university
Application Requirements: Submission of an essay and provision of links to and/or hard copies of creative works
Sub Pop proudly embraces the term “loser” to celebrate individuals who embrace their authentic selves without conforming to societal norms. Through its Loser Scholarship, Sub Pop offers financial assistance to those it describes as “art-enthused misfits in Pacific Northwest high schools.”
Applicants are required to submit a one-page essay and are strongly encouraged to share additional materials such as links or physical copies of their creative endeavors, ranging from community projects to self-made videos or photography.
The scholarship typically favors applicants who provide these “extras,” as no winner has been selected without them thus far. Annually, three Loser scholarships are granted, consisting of one $7,500 award and two $5,000 awards.
Scholarship Competition Hosted By The Oregon Federation Of Women’s Clubs
Amount: $400
Who Can Apply: High school seniors in Oregon
How to Apply: Submit one piece of art in any format
This scholarship, offered by the Oregon Federation of Women’s Clubs, aims to support budding artists regardless of gender. The winner receives $400 to put toward college expenses. Applicants must provide an original piece of art in any medium, such as oil, watercolor, acrylic, charcoal, pen and ink, pastel, photography, ceramics, pottery, woodwork, or jewelry. Additionally, applicants need to include a brief description explaining the inspiration behind their artwork. Submissions are evaluated based on their creativity, skill, technique, and presentation.
The OSSA Scholarship
Sum: $1,000
Who can apply: Current high school seniors enrolled in a school district that is a member of OSSA
What’s needed for application: Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, write an essay, and provide two recommendation letters
This scholarship offers an excellent chance for Oregon high school seniors from smaller schools to secure funds for college. As part of the application process, applicants must compose a 300-word essay outlining a change they aspire to bring about in the world, their strategy for effecting this change, and the challenges they anticipate encountering.
Advice for Applying for Scholarships In Oregon For International Students
College expenses have been steadily rising, increasing by 169% over the past four decades. Consequently, more students are seeking scholarships to alleviate the financial burden of higher education. Although the growing competition makes securing scholarships more challenging, there are strategies to enhance your chances of success.
Seek Institutional Aid:
Colleges and universities allocate a substantial amount of money for merit aid—scholarships based on academic or extracurricular accomplishments—far surpassing the funds provided by other organizations. Annually, colleges disburse $175 billion in scholarship funds, compared to a mere $11 billion from other sources. It’s prudent to first maximize your eligibility for institutional aid before pursuing external scholarships.
Choose Schools Wisely:
Many elite institutions, overwhelmed by a surplus of qualified applicants, do not offer merit aid as an incentive. Conversely, numerous reputable colleges leverage merit aid to attract desirable candidates. When compiling your list of prospective schools, consider including “safety” options where your credentials are particularly strong, increasing your chances of receiving a significant award.
Consider Private Institutions:
Private colleges and universities often allocate more merit aid compared to other educational entities. Several factors contribute to the generosity of private schools, including the imperative to attract top-tier students, compete financially with public institutions, maintain alumni satisfaction, and fill vacant seats.
