Scholarships for Incoming Students
To qualify for the scholarships offered by Pacific University Oregon, students must complete the application for admission and be admitted to the university.
- Academic Scholarships
- Talent Awards & Scholarships
- Special Interest Scholarships
- Community-Based Scholarships
If you experience any technical difficulties with any scholarship application listed below, please email the Financial Aid Office.
Academic Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Pacific considers all incoming students for generous academic merit based scholarship. No separate application is required and eligibility is based on all application materials submitted. Merit based scholarships range from $12,000 to $27,000 for students enrolled in Pacific’s Undergraduate College of Arts & Sciences. Students will be notified of their merit scholarship eligibility at the time of admission.
View Academic Scholarships for more information.
Pacesetter Honors Scholarships
The Pacesetters Honors Scholarship Competition, to be held in early spring, is an opportunity for academically talented high school seniors to earn either one renewable full tuition scholarships or 1 of 20 annually renewable $10,000 scholarships ($40,000 over 4 years) by demonstrating their exceptional abilities to Pacific's faculty members. All participants are guaranteed at minimum an annually renewable scholarship of $1,000 ($4,000 over 4 years).
Participation is by invitation only and invitees will be notified by December 31, 2020. Participants must be admitted by December 13, 2020, have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher and submit a strong Pacific essay through the Common Application. Please contact your Admissions Counselor or the Office of Admissions at 503-352-2218 for more information.
NOTE: Transfer students are not eligible to participate in Pacesetter events.
Senior Preview Scholarship Day
Informative virtual event that provide high school seniors and their guests an opportunity to interact with the Pacific University campus and community. Throughout the day you will hear from an Admissions Counselor, meet with outstanding faculty, interact with current students and tour Pacific's beautiful campus. Attendees who apply and are admitted to Pacific will earn an annually renewable $1,000 scholarship ($4,000 over 4 years).
View Senior Preview Scholarship Day for more information.
Talent Awards & Scholarships
Art, Design & Art History Talent Award
The Art Department at Pacific University offers Art, Design, and Art History Talent Awards to exceptional entering undergraduate students. Awards will be based on past accomplishments and future potential in the studio arts, design, or art history. Qualifying first-year and transfer students will receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, as determined by the selection committee. Awards are available for up to four years, as long as students meet the award requirements. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Doug Anderson at danderson@pacificu.edu with questions.
Art, Design, & Art History Talent Award Application
Dance Scholarship
Passionate about dance? Consider applying and auditioning for a scholarship to pursue your art at Pacific! Dance Talent Scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,000 for Dance Majors and $1,000 to $3,000 for Dance Minors. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as students meet program participation requirements. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Visit the Dance Scholarship Page for more information and the application requirements.
Forensics (Speech & Debate) Awards
Forensics Talent Award | Students interested in collegiate forensics while attending Pacific University are eligible for Forensics Talent Awards. These scholarships are intended to honor both past achievements and future potential in competitive speech and debate. Forensics Talent Awards range from $2,000 to $4,000 annually and are available for up to four years, as long as students maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and meet program participation requirements. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year. Contact Dan Broyles, Director of Forensics, at dsbroyles@pacificu.edu for additional information.
Visit the Forensics Talent Award page for more information.
Forensics Talent Award Application
The Rampton Award in Gender and Sexuality Studies
Pacific University offers awards for entering students interested in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Annual awards of $2,500 are available for up to four years, as long as students take at least one Gender and Sexuality Studies course per year and are actively involved in the program. Successful candidates must enroll at Pacific as full-time undergraduate students in the academic year following their admission. An application and interview is required. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Jaye Cee Whitehead at jayecee@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements.
The Rampton Award in Gender and Sexuality Studies Application
Math & Computer Science Award
These prestigious awards are for entering Pacific University students who have exhibited both talent and success in mathematics or computer science. Annual awards of $2,500 are available for up to four years, subject to continued participation in the Mathematics & Computer Science Department. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Ian Besse, PhD at besse.ian@pacificu.edu for additional information.
Math & Computer Science Award Application
Pacific Scholarship in Mathematics and Sciences (PSiMS)
Pacific University will award scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students, and to returning sophomores who commit to majoring in Science or Mathematics and are planning to pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), including STEM education. The scholarships are awarded to students with financial need and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and renewable amounts up to $8000 per year are awarded to selected undergraduates. Deadline to apply is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Pacific Scholarships in Mathematics & Sciences (PSiMS) Application
Media Arts Scholarship
Renewable awards of $2,500 are granted to selected undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Media Arts and have demonstrated talent and success in the areas of Media Arts, such as Film/Video, Graphic Design, or Journalism. Annual awards of $2,500 are available for up to four years, subject to continued participation in classes in the Media Arts Department.
Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Enie Vaisburd, chair of Media Arts, at evaisburd@pacificu.edu for additional information.
Media Arts Scholarship Application
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent and are offered to music and non-music majors. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $6,000 annually and are available for up to four years, as long as students take private lessons and perform in an appropriate large ensemble (Symphonic Band, Chamber Singers, or Choral Union). To apply, students must be admitted and audition in person or via an uploaded MP3 or YouTube link. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Visit the Music Scholarships page for more information and application requirements.
Philosophy Scholarship
Seniors in high school are encouraged to apply for Pacific’s Philosophy Scholarship in order to be considered for an annual $2,500 scholarship and for the opportunity to present at the Pacific University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference. For submissions, high school seniors must write a paper between 1,500-2,000 words. Papers need to be of philosophical content, but there are no specific restrictions on subject matter within the arena of philosophical discussion itself. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Katharine Loevy at katharine.d.loevy@pacificu.edu if you have any questions about the application.
Philosophy Scholarship Application
Speech and Debate
See Forensics Scholarships above.
Theatre and Applied Theatre Talent Scholarship
Passionate about theatre? Consider applying for a scholarship to pursue your art at Pacific! Theatre Scholarships for entering students range from $5,000 to $7,000 and are available for up to four years, as long as students meet program participation requirements. Questions may be sent to talentauditions@pacificu.edu. See application for deadlines.
Visit the Theatre & Applied Theatre Scholarship page for more information and application requirements.
World Languages Talent Award
World Language Talent Awards of $2,500 are available for learners of Spanish, Japanese, French, German and Chinese, as well as heritage or native speakers of those languages who demonstrate a dedication to study of their language, literature and culture. Recipients are not required to be a language major. Awards may be renewable for all four years of study, provided that students demonstrate active participation in language and culture courses and departmental activities each semester. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.
Visit the World Languages Talent Award Page for more information and application requirements.
Special Interest Scholarships
BPA Science Bowl Scholarship
Renewable awards are given to members of the top three teams that participate in the BPA High School Science Bowl and who are admitted to and enroll full time in the College of Arts & Sciences. For more information, contact Admissions at admissions@pacificu.edu.
Newcomer Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Pacific University Newcomer Endowed Scholarship Fund provides funding to help immigrants and refugees in the United States achieve the advantage of a college degree.
The Newcomer Scholarship provides financial support for students who are U.S. residents born in other countries with demonstrated financial need and academic promise. Priority will be given to applicants with refugee or asylum status, who have had to overcome barriers, including but not limited to, cultural, emotional, physical, familial, political, or economic circumstances. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2021.
Newcomer Endowed Scholarship Fund Application
Outdoor Adventure Award
Renewable awards are given to select undergraduate students having demonstrated significant leadership in outdoor recreational pursuits. Applicants must show a passion for human powered outdoor adventures. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact the Director of Outdoor Pursuits, Phil Friesen at phil@pacificu.edu for more information.
Outdoor Adventure Award Application
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
Pacific University Phi Theta Kappa Award Application
Robotics Scholarship
In support of the FIRST mission, Pacific University is offering five merit-based scholarships to high school seniors who have participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) or FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team. This scholarship may be used for undergraduate study in the College of Arts & Sciences and is renewable for up to four years, contingent upon maintaining good academic standing and full-time enrollment. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year. Coach or mentor letter of recommendation must be submitted by March 1st.
Contact Derek Naegeli, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at derekn@pacificu.edu for more information.
FIRST Robotics Scholarship Application
Tom McCall Scholarship
Awarded to select first-year undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences who show an interest in, and continue to engage in, civic engagement activities and public affairs, such as volunteer service, elections/campaigns, advocacy, awareness-raising, fundraising, and community organizing. Awards are renewable for one additional year. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year.
For questions, contact Stephanie Stokamer, Director of the McCall Center for Civic Engagement, at stok@pacificu.
Tom McCall Scholarship Application
United Church of Christ Tuition Scholarships
Scholarships are available for students who are dependents (as defined by Internal Revenue Service rules) of UCC clergy members. Scholarships are equal to half of full-time tuition. No application is required; eligible applicants should report parent’s UCC clergy status on the application for admission.
United Church of Christ Matching Awards
Matching awards are available for students who receive an outside UCC scholarship. Recipients who have financial need are eligible for matching funds up to $1,500; recipients who do not have financial need are eligible for matching funds up to $500. No application is required; eligible scholarship recipients should report their qualifying UCC scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.
Community-Based Scholarships
Adelante Mujeres Award
Renewable awards are granted to selected undergraduate students who have received services or support through the Adelante Chicas program, or to dependents of women served or supported by the Adelante Mujeres program. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year.
Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and application requirements.
Adelante Mujeres Award Application
Black United Fund of Oregon ACCESS Scholarship
One Oregon resident will receive a renewable award meeting 100 percent of the recipient's federally defined need, to enroll at Pacific University. The recipient's need will be met with scholarships, grants, federal student loans and federal work-study (employment).
Visit the Black United Fund of Oregon ACCESS Scholarship Page for more information and the application requirements.
Apply at Black United Fund Scholarship Application Page
Early College High School Award
Pacific University awards one renewable award of combined federal, state and institutional gift aid that meet full tuition and fees to a graduate of the Early College High School program at participating Portland Community College campuses (now serving students from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tualatin and Tigard school districts). Must apply as a current high school senior, and must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in the academic year following graduation from the Early College High School program. Application and interview required.
Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements.
Early College High School Scholarship Application
Future Connect Next Steps Scholarship
Pacific University awards up to three renewable awards of combined federal, state and institutional gift aid that meet full tuition and fees, plus a standard book allowance to incoming transfer students successfully completing their AAOT degree through the Future Connect program at participating Portland Community College campuses. Application and interview required.
Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements. Must enroll as a full-time undergraduate transfer student at our Forest Grove campus, in the academic year following completion of the Future Connect program.
Future Connect Next Steps Scholarship Application
Girls Gather for Computer Science (G2CS) Scholarship
Renewable scholarships are awarded to G2CS participants who are admitted to and enroll full time in the College of Arts & Sciences. For more information, please contact Admissions at admissions@pacificu.edu.
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Scholarship
To provide support and encourage Latino students to continue their higher education, The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber provides annual scholarship awards to qualifying applicants. Applicant must be of Hispanic ancestry and permanently residing in Oregon or Clark County, Washington. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. Matching awards from Pacific are available to students who receive this award.
Visit Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber's webpage for more information. The 2021-22 application is open from December 1, 2020 - January 31, 2021.
Pacific University Oregon Promise Award
Pacific University awards up to five renewable $30,000 per year awards to Oregon Promise students transferring to Pacific University each fall. Student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate transfer student at the Forest Grove campus. Application deadline is March 1st of the academic year prior to transfer. This award replaces the academic merit scholarship typically awarded to eligible transfer students (students may receive either an academic merit scholarship, or the Pacific University Oregon Promise Award, but not both).
Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements.
Pacific University Oregon Promise Award Application