Financial Aid and Scholarships

We understand that paying for an education can often be the hardest part of the journey. At Oregon State University Ecampus, we’re here to support you through this process, connect you with the right resources and help make learning more affordable.


The support you need, wherever you are

Here’s the big question: Do students who learn online qualify for financial aid and scholarships? Yes, they do. Many types of aid are available, and to qualify for financial support, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many students are surprised by what they qualify for, so submit yours in order to maximize your funds.

50%

Ecampus students with high financial need

Types of aid

Grants

Grants for college are a form of financial aid that does not usually get repaid. They are typically need-based and can cover a variety of education-related expenses, such as tuition and fees, room and board, and books and supplies. There are grants available from the federal and state government and university-based grants.

After you have been admitted to Oregon State and have submitted your FAFSA, you will be notified if you qualify for any federal or state grants. Additionally, OSU offers the following university-based grants:

Need-based grant: This limited, need-based grant is awarded by OSU’s Office of Financial Aid to eligible Ecampus students who completed the FAFSA application.

Financial Hardship Grant: Oregon State Ecampus offers a grant to online degree-seeking students who are experiencing unforeseen financial difficulty that interferes with their academic progress. Learn more about Ecampus Financial Hardship Grant eligibility and application guidelines.

Ecampus Military Grant: Ecampus provides financial assistance to active duty military members who entered the service while they were residents of Oregon and are using military tuition assistance to help pay for their online classes. Read more about eligibility requirements.

Scholarships

Scholarship funds do not need to be repaid and are awarded based on factors such as academic merit, life experiences, involvement in certain activities or financial need. The awards may require that the recipient meet certain requirements while receiving the support, such as maintaining a minimum grade point average or engaging in a certain activity.

ScholarDollars is Oregon State’s online scholarship system. It’s your one-stop shop to search and apply for nearly 2,000 scholarship opportunities available only to OSU students. Almost $10 million in scholarship funding is awarded each year. Students submit just one application to be considered automatically for all scholarships they meet the criteria for.

A few tips:

  • Complete your ScholarDollars application between Nov. 1–Feb. 1 to maximize scholarship opportunities.
  • Update your application anytime to enhance your chances. Did your GPA increase this year? Update that application. Did your income change? Update that application.
  • Check with your academic advisor for scholarships that might be available through your college.
  • ScholarDollars allows you to search a database of external scholarships too.

Loans

A student loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid. It may be borrowed from the federal government or a private lender to help pay for costs such as tuition, supplies, books and living expenses. To qualify for federal student loans, you must submit the FAFSA.

A few tips:

  • You must be enrolled in at least 6 credits as an undergraduate student or 5 credits as a graduate student or certificate-seeking student to qualify for federal student loans.
  • Be aware of borrowing limits.
  • You must meet the federal eligibility requirements in order to continue to qualify for student loans.

Military aid

VA education benefits

Oregon State honors many of the VA education benefits available to active duty military service members, veterans, spouses and dependents. To maximize your benefits, we recommend that you contact OSU's veteran certifying officials at veterans@oregonstate.edu or visit the university’s military and veteran resources website for more information.

Ecampus military grant

Ecampus provides financial assistance to active duty military members who entered the service while they were residents of Oregon and are using military tuition assistance to help pay for their online classes. Read more about eligibility requirements.

Apply for financial aid

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  2. List Oregon State on your FAFSA application using OSU’s school code, 003210.
  3. Apply online for admission to Oregon State. You will not be considered for any financial aid until you have been admitted.
  4. After your FAFSA has been received, you may be sent an email request for additional information. Once admitted to OSU, you will be able to activate your MyOregonState account to view the requirements and the requested forms.
  5. When all requirements have been satisfied and your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive an email notification to your university email address that your aid offer is ready to review.
  6. Accept your financial aid award online through the OSU Financial Aid Portal.
Joshua Chan Burgos, OSU student, sitting at a desk with a laptop
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