New Student Support
2026-2027 Scholarships
Scholarships for Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students
Oregon State University recognizes student excellence, diversity, and achievement through an array of scholarship opportunities:
University Scholars Program (USP)
For the 2026-2027 academic year, Oregon State University’s admission-based scholarships for newly-admitted first-year and transfer students will be awarded automatically based on a holistic review of your application for admission. These admission-based scholarships are awarded only to students whose first term of enrollment at OSU will be Summer 2026 or Fall 2026. Through this review process, OSU seeks to identify and award students who have the skills, abilities, and drive to succeed at Oregon State based on the following:
For First-Year Students:
- Your high school grades
- Rigor of coursework, considered in the context of your school
- Class rank
- Grades in any college or dual-credit courses
- Information provided in your personal statement on the application
- Your response to one of our available essay prompts
For Transfer Students:
- Your grades in college
- Rigor of college coursework
- Number of transferable credits completed
- Information provided in your personal statement on the application
OSU ScholarDollars
All OSU students are encouraged to submit an application for additional scholarships from the university, alumni and/or donors, academic colleges, and departments awarded through OSU ScholarDollars, Oregon State University's online scholarship search and application system. OSU ScholarDollars will begin accepting applications for 2026-2027 scholarships on November 1 2025. (Students must have been admitted to OSU before accessing OSU ScholarDollars.)
Financial Need Based Scholarships
Some Oregon State scholarships are only available to students who have demonstrated financial need. OSU determines whether you are eligible to be considered for these opportunities based on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid Application). We recommend that you submit your FAFSA or ORSAA as early as possible every year to allow enough time for it to be processed before the earliest scholarship application deadlines.
Take the FAFSA/ORSSA Filter Tool quiz to decide which financial aid application is right for you!
New Student Scholarship Appeals
The OSU Scholarship Office's scholarship committee recognizes that there can be extenuating circumstances that would require a scholarship to be reviewed. The New Student Scholarship appeal form is for merit-based scholarships that are awarded by the OSU Scholarship Office. The deadline to submit an appeal is April 1, 2026.
College and Departmental Scholarships
Some of Oregon State’s colleges, departments, student organizations, and other campus programs may offer additional scholarships that require a separate application from OSU ScholarDollars. We encourage you to contact your academic college, department, student organizations, and/or other campus programs to inquire about additional opportunities.
External Scholarships
External scholarships can be a great way to increase your funding options, these can be found through your local community foundations and organizations. You can search for scholarships via internet search engines, but you will want to be careful to avoid scams. We recommend visiting the Federal Trade Commission's page on How To Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams.
In addition, OSU ScholarDollars is another option to search and apply for external scholarships because all the opportunities included in the system have been researched and vetted for you.
Other Types of Financial Aid
Students may also be eligible for other types of aid. These aid types can be Federal, State, and other institutional aid. Visit the Financial Aid website for more aid opportunities.
Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship
Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship (Freshmen)
Amount: up to $5,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New resident first-year students who will be attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses.
- Students typically have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.50 or higher.
- Priority consideration is given to students who submit their application for admission on or before February 2nd; students who apply after February 2nd will be considered on a funds-available basis.
How to Apply: Oregon State University’s Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on a holistic review of a students application for admission.
Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship (Transfers)
Amount: up to $2,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New resident transfer students who will be attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses.
- Student typically have a cumulative transfer GPA of 3.75 or higher.
- Priority consideration is given to students who submit their application for admission on or before March 15th; students who apply after March 15th will be considered on a funds-available basis.
How to Apply: Oregon State University’s Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on a holistic review of a students application for admission.
Presidential Scholarship
Presidential Scholarship (Freshmen)
The Presidential Scholarship is OSU’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship. Students are evaluated based on a holistic review of their application for admission, with specific attention to their accomplishments, contributions, experiences, and talents; their achievements within the context of their social and personal circumstances, and their participation in activities that demonstrate their academic potential, leadership abilities, and commitment to service. Recipients of the Presidential Scholarship are also offered additional perks to help amplify their first-year experience.
Amount: up to $10,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New resident first-year students who will be attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses.
- Must be current Oregon resident high school seniors attending an Oregon high school.
- Minimum 3.85 unweighted high school GPA and/or a minimum 4.20 weighted high school GPA.
How to Apply: The Presidential Scholarship is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on the application for admission. All students who meet the minimum criteria and apply for admission on or before February 2nd are automatically reviewed for the award. Not all students who meet the scholarship criteria will be offered a Presidential Scholarship.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship (Freshmen and Transfers)
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program is the largest regional interstate tuition savings program in the United States. More than 160 public colleges and universities in 18 states and territories participate in the program. Residents of the following states or territories will be considered automatically for a scholarship that reduces tuition costs to 150% of resident tuition: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. The discount associated with OSU’s WUE Scholarship only applies to OSU's on-campus, base non-resident undergraduate tuition. More information regarding the WUE Scholarship is available on our FAQ page.
Amount: reduces tuition costs to 150% of resident tuition; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New first-year or transfer undergraduate students attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses starting during a summer or fall of terms.
- Permanent resident of one of the WUE-eligible U.S. states or territories.
- Priority consideration is given to students who submit their application for admission on or before February 2nd.
How to Apply: WUE is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on the application for admission. The WUE is highly competitive and awarded based on a holistic review of the application for admission. Not all students from a WUE state or territory will be offered a WUE Scholarship.
Provost Scholarship
Provost Scholarship (First-Years)
Amount: up to $16,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New non-resident first-year students who will be attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses.
- Students typically have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Priority consideration is given to students who submit their application for admission on or before February 2nd; students who apply after February 2nd will be considered on a funds-available basis.
How to Apply: Oregon State University’s Provost Scholarship is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on a holistic review of a students application for admission.
Provost Scholarship (Transfers)
Amount: up to $5,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New non-resident transfer students who will be attending the Corvallis or Bend campuses.
- Student's typically have a cumulative transfer GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Priority consideration is given to students who submit their application for admission prior to March 15th; students who apply after March 15th will be considered on a funds-available basis.
How to Apply: Oregon State University’s Provost Scholarship is part of the University Scholars Program (USP) and is awarded based on a holistic review of a students application for admission.
Diversity Achievement Scholarship
Diversity Achievement Scholarship (Freshmen)
OSU's Diversity Achievement Scholarship is awarded to new first-year students whose actions demonstrate that they values diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints in their communities. Recipients are selected based on their current and past activities that promote (a) the inclusion of individuals with diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints, and (b) the removal of barriers and creation of opportunities for access and success for all, as well as their potential to contribute towards building a more inclusive campus community at OSU.
Amount: up to $3,000 annually; renewable for an additional year (two years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- New first-year students whose actions demonstrate that they values diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints in their communities.
- Applicants who have financial need will be given preferential consideration.
How to Apply: To be considered for this scholarship, students must submit an application and a personal statement through OSU ScholarDollars, between November 1st and March 1st.
Diversity Achievement Scholarship (Transfers)
OSU's Diversity Achievement Scholarship is awarded to students whose actions demonstrate that they values diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints in their communities. Recipients are selected based on their current and past activities that promote (a) the inclusion of individuals with diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints, and (b) the removal of barriers and creation of opportunities for access and success for all, as well as their potential to contribute towards building a more inclusive campus community at OSU.
Amount: up to $3,000; non-renewable, one-year award
Eligibility:
- New first-year students whose actions demonstrate that they values diverse lived experiences, perspectives and viewpoints in their communities.
- Applicants who have financial need will be given preferential consideration.
How to Apply: To be considered for this scholarship, students must submit an application and a personal statement through OSU ScholarDollars, between November 1st and March 1st.
National Scholars Award
National Scholars Award (Freshmen)
OSU's National Scholars Award is a highly competitive, renewable scholarship offered to approximately ten incoming first-year students who received a national or global level recognition or award while in high school.
Amount: up to $2,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- First-year student who received a national or global level recognition, such as, but not limited to: National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist, National AP Scholar, Scholastic Art & Writing Award recipient, Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Award recipient, U.S. Presidential Scholar, and/or the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program participant.
How to Apply: Students may apply for the National Scholars Award through OSU ScholarDollars between November 1st and March 1st, and will be asked to provide verification of the recognition or award as part of the application process.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma (Freshmen)
Amount: up to $3,000 annually; renewable for up to three additional years (four years of funding total)
Eligibility:
- Participating in an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program.
- Entering first-year student with a total score of 30 or higher on the IB exam with completed IB Diploma.
How to Apply: Students must indicate that they would like official test scores sent to OSU. Award offers will be finalized after exam scores are verified in July.