Paying for College

Undergraduate resources

Oregon students:  

• File your Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) every year. This is Oregon's alternative to the FAFSA. 
• Apply for scholarships through the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC).
• Review the Oregon Student Aid website for student DACA/undocumented resources. 

All students:  

• Know the cost of attending OSU. 
• File for OSU departmental scholarships: 
  • Future student
  • Current students 
• File for OSU ScholarDollars.
• Review opportunities for national and international scholarships. 
• Review the Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which offer families with low to moderate incomes financial resources to save and build assets quickly while developing good financial habits. 
• Discuss with your family to determine if your parent’s employer provides scholarships for dependents of employees. 

If you have DACA:  

• Research additional student employment opportunities. 
• Participate in paid research opportunities: 
  • Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and the Arts (URSA)  
  • STEM Leaders 
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).

Graduate student resources

There are many ways to fund a graduate student's education. Details can be found on the Graduate School “Financing your Education” website. Below are the most prominent options for undocumented graduate students, as federal student loans are not an option.

Oregon students:  

• File your Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) every year. This is Oregon's alternative to the FAFSA. 
• Apply for scholarships through the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC). 

All students:  

• Know the cost of attending OSU. 
• Review the fellowships and/or scholarships available. 
  • These are the most viable funding options for undocumented students without DACA as they are not considered employment. It is important to know that each fellowship or scholarship has its own unique policies on eligibility. 

• Review awards from the Graduate School.  

  • These awards require nomination from faculty and/or programs. The application deadlines vary by award. Students must both 1) identify award(s) and 2) work with faculty or a program to be nominated. 

• Consider major professor and/or graduate awards. 

• Start a conversation early on with major professors and graduate departments about additional funding sources. The majority of graduate funding takes place at this level.

  • Options to explore: 

    • Tuition waiver options 

    • Scholarships 

    • Employment 

• Review the Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which offer families with low to moderate incomes financial resources to save and build assets quickly while developing good financial habits. 
• Explore other financial resources. 

If you have DACA: 

• Research Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships (GTAs/GRAs). 
• Review the Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which offer families with low to moderate incomes financial resources to save and build assets quickly while developing good financial habits. 
• Research additional student employment opportunities. 

Still need help? 

• Contact the Graduate School to help you navigate these resources. Also, learn more about other OSU student resources and services.