Oregon Scholarships & Grants Programs

There are a wide range of opportunities for Oregon students to get the financial assistance they need through scholarships and grants to help them go to college.

The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (or OSAC) oversees a wide range of Oregon scholarships & grants programs, including state, federal and privately funded financial assistance programs.

OSAC’s mission is to help students in Oregon attain their post-secondary education as well as to enhance the diversity, integrity and value of the college programs in Oregon.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

The purpose of this grant is to provide Oregon’s most financially needy undergraduate students with financial assistance to attend Oregon community colleges as well as four year public and private universities and colleges.

Thousands of Oregonians qualify for an Oregon Opportunity Grant each year. This grant is available for up to 8 semesters or 12 terms.

The amount of the award is based on financial need of the recipient, the school that the student will attend, and state funding that is available.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an Oregon community college or four year private or public participating institution at least half time.
• Be a resident of Oregon and United States citizen or be an eligible non-citizen
• Be considered financially needy (this is determined based on family income, asset and household size)

How to Apply

To apply for an Oregon Opportunity Grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. The form and additional information can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information on the Oregon Opportunity Grant, visit www.getcollegefunds.org/ong.html.

OSAC Scholarships

There are hundreds of scholarship opportunities available for graduating Oregon high school seniors as well as current college students and older students who are returning to college.

The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (or OSAC) has an electronic application form called the eAPP where students can apply for up to 20 scholarships at one time using the same form.

The scholarships are arranged in sections to help students find all the scholarships they may be eligible for. Section 1 contains scholarships for graduates of specific high schools. Section 2 lists scholarships by career choice, academic interest and for specific populations such as older students and student parents. Section Three lists scholarships that are offered by membership organizations and employers.

Students will also need to provide high school transcripts, personal statements, and in some cases other information such as essays depending on the requirements of the specific scholarships they are applying for. For more information consult the Oregon Scholarship eApp Workbook.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be an Oregon state resident
• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Attend a U.S. institution that is eligible for participating in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs
• Other specific eligibility requirements will depend on the specific scholarship being applied for

To Apply

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. It can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. File the OSAC eApp application. The application can be found online.

For more information on OSAC Scholarships visit the website.

The Ford Family Foundation Scholarships

The Ford Family Foundation, established by the owners of Roseburg Forest Product Company in Roseburg, OR, in partnership with the OSAC offers four different types of scholarships for residents of Oregon. An overview of the four scholarships can be found at www.//getcollegefunds.org/ford_oregon.html.

Ford Scholars Program

This scholarship is for high school graduating seniors as well as community college students who will be pursing bachelor’s degrees within Oregon. Every year as many as 100 Oregon residents receive the Ford Scholars scholarship.

The scholarship is a need-based award and the amount varies. It can be up to 90% of the student’s unmet financial need up to $25,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be an Oregon state resident
• Be a high school graduate who has never been enrolled as a full time student at either a two or four year college or be a community college student who will be transferring to a four year college. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree or who are already full time four year college students are not eligible for this scholarship.
• Have a GPA that is 3.00 or higher. If not, the applicant must submit the Special Recommendation Form as part of their OSAC eApp.
• Become a full time student at a 4 year public or private university or college based in Oregon, starting in the fall of the year they applied for the award.

To Apply

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. It can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. File the OSAC eApp application. The application can be found online.

For more information on the Ford Scholars Program, visit their website.

Ford Opportunity Scholarship Program

This scholarship is for single parents who are pursing bachelor’s degrees at colleges based in Oregon. Every year as many as 50 Oregon residents receive the scholarship.

The scholarship is a need-based award and the amount varies. It can be up to 90% of the student’s unmet financial need up to $25,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be an Oregon state resident
• Be a single parent that has custody of a dependent child or children (up to 18 years old) and be eligible to file as head of household under IRS regulations.
• Have a GPA that is 3.00 or higher. If not, the applicant must submit the Special Recommendation Form as part of their OSAC eApp.
• Be a high school graduate or continuing college student
• Be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree already. The student may be enrolled in a community college, but must have the intention of going on to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
• Become a full time student at a public or private university or college based in Oregon, starting in the fall of the year they applied for the award.

To Apply

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. It can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. File the OSAC eApp application. The application can be found online.

For more information on the Ford Opportunity Scholarship Program visit the scholarships website.

Ford ReStart Scholarship Program

This scholarship is to assist nontraditional adult students who want to start on or return to a postsecondary degree or certificate program in Oregon. Every year as many as 50 students receive this scholarship.

The scholarship is a need-based award and the amount varies. It can be up to 90% of the student’s unmet financial need up to $25,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be an Oregon state resident
• Be 25 years of age or older
• Be pursing a certificate program, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. The student must not have earned a bachelor’s degree already.
• Become a full time student at a public or private university or college based in Oregon, starting in the fall of the year they applied for the award.

To Apply

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. It can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. File the OSAC eApp application. The application can be found here. The applicant must also sumbit the ReStart Reference form as part of their OSAC eApp.

For more information on the Ford ReStart Scholarship Program visit the website.

The Ford Sons and Daughters Program

This scholarship program provides financial assistance to dependents of Roseburg Forest Products Company employees who are 21 years old or younger.

The amount of the scholarship will vary depending on the type college that will be attended. Two year college students will receive $3,000 yearly and four year college students will receive $5,000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a dependent or stepchild of a full time Roseburg Forest Products Company employee.
• Be 21 years old or younger at the time the scholarship is applied for.
• Be enrolled as a full time student in a two year, four year or technical degree program.

To Apply

1. File the OSAC eApp application. The application can be found online.
2. Financial need is not required, but it is considered. Applicants are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

For more information on the Ford Sons and Daughters Program visit the online website.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

This is a federally funded scholarship program that provides financial assistance to high school graduates with outstanding academic achievement. The awards are based on merit and not on financial need. The annual award amount currently is $1,500 and is renewable for up to four years. Eighteen students from each of Oregon’s five U.S. Congressional districts receive a scholarship each year.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a graduating Oregon senior and have

• a GPA of 3.85+ or GED score of 3300+
• an ACT composite score of 29+ or have a combined critical reading and math SAT score of 1300+

How To Apply

The Robert C. Byrd Scholarship program is administered in Oregon by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

An Oregon Scholarship Application must be filed. This application is one that is used for almost 400 scholarship opportunities. The application can be accessed at www.getcollegefunds.org/eapp.html.

As part of the application you will be required to include copies of your high school transcript showing your first 7 semesters of school work as well as documented test scores and an essay.

Because these scholarships are not based on financial need, a FASFA does not need to be filed.

For more information on the Robert C. Bryd Honors Scholarship go to www.getcollegefunds.org/byrd_scholarship.html

Oregon Student Child Care Grant

This grant was established to help provide Oregon post-secondary students who have children with financial assistance to pay for child care while they are going to college.

The grants are disbursed one semester or term at a time and can be renewed for up to 6 years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a resident of Oregon and have a child twelve years old or younger. A special needs child can be older than 12.
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a two or four-year Oregon post-secondary institution. This includes community colleges as well as public and private colleges and universities.

How To Apply

The Student Child Care Grant application form must be filled out and submitted. The application form can be obtained online.>

For more information on the Oregon Student Child Care Grant visit www.getcollegefunds.org/child_care_grant.html

Oregon Barber and Hairdresser Grant Program

This state-funded grant, provides financial assistance for financially needy Oregon residents pursuing a barber or hairdresser education. These are one time awards. The amount of the grant ranges from $100 to $1,500. The current amount of the grant is $1,000. Funds are limited, so only students that demonstrate significant financial need will receive a grant. Typically around 30 to 40 students receive this grant each year.

Eligibility Requirements

The student must be an Oregon resident who will attend or is attending a licensed barber, hair design, manicure or cosmetology participating school located in the state of Oregon. The program must be a full-time program that is a minimum of 9 months long or 900 hours of study.

How To Apply

To apply for this grant, the FASFA form must be filed. The form can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. On the FAFSA for, list the beauty school or barber program that you are planning to attend. You will be notified by your school if you are selected for a grant.

For more information on the Oregon Barber and Hairdresser Grant Program, visit www.getcollegefunds.org/barber_hairdresser.html.Chafee Education and Training Grant

The purpose of this grant is to assist foster youth with financial assistance for their post-secondary education. It is supported by both the State of Oregon and the Independent Living Program that is part of the Department of Human Services of the federal government.

Foster youth can receive up to $4,000 in financial aid per academic year. The specific amount is based on financial need.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be in foster care currently or formerly have been in foster care for a minimum of 180 days after the student’s 14th birthday and exited from foster care at the age of 16 or older.
• Be a participant in the grant program before the student’s 21st birthday. Funds can then be received until the student turns 23.

How To Apply

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) form. It can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. File the Chafee Education and Training Grant application. The form can be found at their website.

For more information about the Chafee Education and Training Grant, visit the website.

Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grants

These grants are funded by the Oregon Opportunity Grant program and are for dependents of Oregon public safety offers who were disabled or killed in the line of duty. Public safety officers include fire fighters, fire marshals, corrections officers, police officers and Department of Justice criminal investigators.

The amount of an annual grant may not exceed the cost for tuition and fees at an Oregon public 2 or 4 year college. Awards may be received for up to 12 quarters or until a bachelor’s degree is earned.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a dependent of a disabled or deceased Oregon public safety officer who is enrolled or is planning to enroll full time in an undergraduate program.
• The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (or OSAC) must determine that the student has financial need
• The student must attend a two or four-year private or public college located in Oregon.

How To Apply

A Certification of Eligibility form must be filled out and returned to the OSAC.

A copy of the form can be obtained online.

The student must also file a FAFSA. The form can be found at www.www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information on the Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grants, visit GetCollegeFunds

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