Financial Aid Opportunities

There are numerous financial aid options for future teachers. Below you can find a list of potential funding options to obtain a teaching degree.

The Basics - FAFSA or ORSAA

Many state and federal grants are available to anyone who fills out a FAFSA or ORSAA application. If you’re confused about which application would be best for you, continue reading to learn more.

Should I complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA)?

The ORSAA is an alternative to FAFSA specifically designed for for undocumented Oregon students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). ORSAA can help eligible undocumented and DACA students in Oregon pay for college through grants, scholarships and tuition reduction.

If you are unsure about whether you should complete the FAFSA application or the ORSAA, you can use the FAFSA or ORSAA Filter Tool on the Oregon Student Aid website.

Grow Your Own Grant

A grant opportunity for high school students, paraeducators and teachers on restricted licenses who plan on or are currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program.

  • Overview: The goal of the Southern Oregon Grow Your Own (GYO) program is to recruit teachers from our local community, specifically focusing on paraeducators working in our school districts, and high school students who want to enter teacher preparation programs after graduation.
  • Selection Criteria: Currently candidates must be high school students entering into a teacher preparation program, paraeducators working in our local districts who want to become teachers or teachers currently on restricted licenses while they complete their teacher preparation requirements.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefits: The GYO Grant Program offers financial support and advising for all recipients of the grant.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Candidates must stay enrolled in a teacher preparation program.
  • How to Apply: Send an email to gyo@soesd.k12.or.us
  • Scholarship Timeline: All applications must be submitted before June 30th, 2023.

College/University Based Scholarships

Some colleges and universities offer scholarship money to students with a certain GPA.

  • Overview: Some colleges and universities offer scholarship money to students with a certain GPA.
  • Selection Criteria: Most of these scholarships are based on Grade Point Average.
  • Scholarship Benefits: Amounts vary, depending on the the school and the student’s GPA.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Students will be required to maintain a certain GPA while attending school full time and may be required to take certain courses.
  • How to Apply: Check with an advisor, admissions counselor or the college/university website.
  • Scholarship/Grant Timeline: Should be available at all times, as long as the student has a full schedule.

Oregon Teacher Scholars Program

A program that offers financial aid to ethnically diverse candiates or Heritage Speakers of a language other than English.

  • Overview: The Oregon Teacher Scholar Program offers a scholarship of $10,000 per school year for ethnically diverse or Heritage Speakers of a language other than English. The program serves undergraduate students who are in the final two years of a teaching program and graduate students enrolled in an Oregon TSPC-approved educator preparation program. Recipients of a scholarship from the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program may be eligible for a second year of funding ($10,000) depending on funding availability.
  • Selection Criteria: Candidates must be ethnically diverse or Heritage Speakers of a language other than English. The scholarship is available to undergraduate students in their last two years of a teacher preparation program and graduate students currently enrolled in an Oregon teacher preparation program.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefits: $10,000 in scholarship money available every year for up to two years. Recipients also receive paid conference fees, mentorship, networking opportunities, employment assistance and teacher resources.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Students will be required to stay in a teacher preparation program.
  • How to Apply: Fill out the OSAC scholarship application.
  • Scholarship/Grant Timeline: Applications are accepted from November-March.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

A need-based grant awarded to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing thier first associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

  • Overview: The Oregon Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant awarded to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing their first associates degree or bachelor’s degree at an eligible public or private institution.
  • Selection Criteria: Candidates must be Oregon residents and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Candidates must be undergraduate students with no prior baccalaureate degrees, and be enrolled at least half-time in an Oregon- based college or university. Eligibility and total amount is based on student need.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefit: Amounts vary depending on financial need.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • How to Apply: To be considered for the grant, students must submit their FAFSA or ORSAA by the deadline date each academic year.
  • Scholarship/Grant Timeline: The FAFSA or ORSAA submit date is usually July 31st before the school year starts. For example, the cutoff date for the 2022-2023 school year was July 31, 2022.

Oregon Promise Grant

The Oregon Promise grant is a state grant that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® test graduates.

  • Overview: The Oregon Promise Grant is a state grant that helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED® test graduates.
  • Selection Criteria: Candidates must be a recent Oregon high school graduate or a GED test graduate, and attend an Oregon community college. Candidates must also have a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA or a 145 grade on all GED® tests.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefits: wards vary from year to year. In the 2022-2023 school years awards ranged from $2,000 to $4,128 for full-time, full-year students.
  • How to Apply: Submit the Oregon Promise application in the OSAC portal, and submit your FAFSA or ORSAAapplication.
  • Scholarship Timeline: Students must apply during their senior year or immediately after GED® test completion.

Oregon Tribal Student Grant

Funding for eligible Oregon tribal students to offset the cost of attendance.

  • Overview: The Oregon Tribal Student Grant provides funding for eligible Oregon tribal students to offset the cost of attendance at eligible Oregon colleges and universities. The grant is intended to cover the average cost of attendance after all federal and state grants/scholarships have been applied.
  • Selection Criteria: Candidates must be an enrolled member of one of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon: Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Klamath Tribe. Candidates must also be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in as a student at an Oregon college or university, and attend school at least half time for the academic year.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefits: Award amounts will vary depending on where you attend school and degree you are pursuing. Awards will be reduced by state and federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, the Oregon Promise Grant, etc. Awards will also be reduced by publicly funded state and federal scholarships. Grants cannot exceed the actual cost of attendance.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Candidates must maintain good standing in a degree seeking program, and continue half- time or full-time enrollment.
  • How to Apply: Complete the Oregon Tribal Student Grant application, and submit their FAFSA or ORSAA application.
  • Scholarship Timeline: Open for the current school year.

TEACH Grant

Grant funds available to students who are enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program of study, at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program in exchange for work in a low-income school.

  • Overview: The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grant funds to students who are enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program of study at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
  • Selection Criteria: Candidates must be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program, meet certain academic achievement requirements and agree to work in a high-needs school or a high demand position for a certain number of years after graduation. Candidates must also sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay, and participate in TEACH-related counseling.
  • Scholarship/Grant Benefits: The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching.
  • Ongoing Requirements: Candidates must complete TEACH Grant counseling each year that they receive a TEACH Grant.
  • How to Apply: Submit FAFSA or ORSAA application, have your TEACH Grant initial counseling and sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay.
  • Scholarship Timeline: Open for the current school year.

Additional Financial Assistance Options

There are additional specialized grants available.

  • Chafee Education and Training (ETG): The Chafee Education and Training Grant (also known as The Chafee Education and Training Voucher) provides funding to help current or former foster care youth with postsecondary education and training.
  • Oregon Student Child Care Grant: The Oregon Student Child Care Grant Program helps parents enrolled in postsecondary education to obtain safe, dependable care that supports their children’s development while allowing completion of the parent’s academic programs.
  • Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer (DDPSO) Grant: The Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer (DDPSO) Grant supports dependents of public safety officers in the state of Oregon who were killed or disabled in the line of duty.
  • Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance: The Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) program provides funding toward undergraduate tuition, certain fees, and a book allowance, at eligible Oregon postsecondary institutions for current Oregon National Guard Members.
  • The First Nations Administrator and Knowledge Keeper (FNAKK) Principal Licensure Preparation program at Portland State University is designed to prepare American Indian and Alaska Native teachers to serve as K-12 school principals or to work as education administrators/principals at a tribal nation/school. Interns in the Principal Licensure-only program complete 40 hours of coursework and 360 hour practicum. Both online and hybrid options are available.
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