Scholarships

Smiling Latino graduates of Oregon Institute of Technology

Scholarships are free money for college! Apply to as many as possible.

What are scholarships

A college scholarship is money for college expenses that does not have to be paid back. You can get a scholarship for different reasons: good grades or test scores, a special talent like in music or sports, or a specific characteristic.

Scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars up to the full cost of attendance. You may have to use a scholarship at a specific college or it may be "portable," meaning that you can use the funds at any college.

How to apply for scholarships

Search for scholarships

Pay attention to requirements. Only apply for scholarships you are eligible for. Many scholarship search engines let you filter by specific criteria.
Focus locally. The more local the scholarship, the more likely you are to win! Check in with your high school's counseling office or college & career center, explore the OSAC scholarship catalog, and use our calendar of Oregon scholarships.
Look at your college. Some colleges award scholarships automatically. Others need an extra application.
Search nationally. There are many free websites to search for scholarships. For those that need a log in, be aware that they may sell your information.

Stay organized

Make a list. Keep track of scholarships and deadlines.
Plan ahead. Some scholarships ask for essays, letters of recommendation, or other information from you or your school.
Treat it like a part-time job. Set aside time each week and apply to as many scholarships as you can!
Start now. Many scholarships are open to younger students.

Scholarship calendar

Find Oregon and national scholarships with upcoming deadlines. You can filter results to find ones that fit your needs.

Scholarship deadlines and details are subject to change. Check each scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

Deadline	Scholarship	More information
4/30/2027	Islamic Society of North America Scholarships	Several scholarships open to Muslim students pursuing higher education.
4/30/2027	Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship	Jay-Z wants to give you money for college! Open to students with a minimum 2.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need.
4/30/2027	Tech Mastery Scholarship	$500 scholarships for Oregon students pursuing a career in computer science and tech with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
5/1/2027	Humans of Dementia Scholarship	$1,500 to high school and college students who submit an original written or photo profile of someone affected by dementia to raise awareness through storytelling.
5/3/2027	Oregon PTA Teacher Education Scholarship	$1,000 scholarship for Oregon residents studying for a degree in education at any Oregon public college or university.
5/3/2027	Renaissance Scholars Program	Up to $5,000 annually, renewable for four years, for first-generation college students in Oregon with a 3.0 GPA and financial need.
5/4/2027	The Larry K. Sharpf Educational Scholarship	Up to $20,000 renewable scholarship for students who have a minimum 3.5 GPA, live in Marion, Linn, Benton, or Lane counties, and plan to attend an Oregon college with an annual household income of $75,000 or less.
5/15/2027	The Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship	Up to $10,000 renewable scholarship for high school seniors planning to attend a four-year accredited college or university with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
5/15/2027	Women in HVACR Scholarship	$5,000 scholarships for women with a 3.0 GPA who are preparing to enter the HVACR industry.
5/29/2027	Slocum Orthopedics Emerging Health Professionals of Lane County Scholarship	$1,500 scholarship for students from Lane county with a minimum 3.0 GPA, interested in pursuing health-related careers.
5/29/2027	UNCF Scholarships	Wide range of scholarships for students based on financial need or merit, with many programs requiring a minimum 2.5 GPA; see website for additional details.
5/31/2027	Full Circle Scholarship	Multiple scholarships through a single application for American Indian and Alaska Native high school seniors who are tribal members or descendants, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and plan to enroll full‑time at an accredited non profit college or university.
5/31/2027	Red & Gena Leonard Scholarship	Scholarships for students from select Eastern Oregon towns with high financial need, average grades and a desire to work in a trade and attend an Oregon college or trade school. See website for details.
6/1/2027	Native Forward Scholars Fund	Scholarships for enrolled members or descendants of U.S. federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian Tribes or Alaska Native groups.
6/1/2027	OTEC Trade School Scholarship	$5,000 Scholarships for member-owners and their legal dependents to attend a trade, vocational, or technical school. Trade school scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year.
6/15/2027	Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Scholarship	Several scholarships from $2,500 to $4,000 for students who plan to enroll in a not‑for‑profit community college or career/technical program.
6/26/2027	Navigate Your Future Scholarship	$2,500 scholarship for high school seniors planning a career in the general aviation field.
6/30/2027	Delete Cyberbullying Mental Health Awareness Scholarship	$1,000 award for a short essay on cyberbullying and mental health impacts. Open to students in grades 9-12.