Portland State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Portland State is Oregon’s largest urban university, right in the heart of downtown Portland. For first-generation families, it can feel overwhelming to sort out tuition, aid, and all the different scholarship programs. This page breaks everything down step by step so you can see the real costs, the automatic awards your student might qualify for, and the extra programs worth exploring. Don’t forget—Oregon also has its own state aid guide to help fill the gaps.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Portland State University
| Expense | Oregon Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (16 credits/term) | $12,999 | $34,599 |
| Housing & Meals (average) | $15,783 | $15,783 |
| Books, Travel, Personal | $3,966 | $3,966 |
| Total (before aid) | $33,489 | $55,089 |
Regional Waivers & Discounts:
- WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange): Nonresidents from WUE states pay 150% of Oregon resident base tuition. For 2025–26, that’s about $18,471 instead of $34,599—saving families around $16,128. See our WUE guide for details on how it works across the West.
- Washington Border Discount (WBD): Washington residents pay 110% of resident tuition, about $14,094 for the year—saving over $20,000 compared to standard nonresident rates.
FAQ about Reciprocity & Waivers
Who qualifies? WUE covers students from participating western states; the Washington Border Discount is only for Washington residents.
How much do they save? WUE cuts nonresident tuition nearly in half (about $16k savings), while WBD saves Washington families over $20k a year.
Do I have to apply? At PSU, WUE and WBD are automatic when you’re admitted and meet the criteria, but funding is limited—apply early for best chances.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Portland State offers a few admission-based scholarships that are automatically awarded if your student meets the criteria. These don’t require an extra application—just make sure you apply to PSU and submit required financial aid forms by the deadlines.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Opportunity Scholarship | Up to $14,000/yr | Nonresident admits; based on academic merit; cannot stack with WUE or WBD | No | Yes (maintain satisfactory academic progress; terms listed in award letter) | High-GPA nonresident admits. PSU doesn’t publish exact GPA/test cutoffs. |
| Park Blocks Scholarship | $5,100/yr | Oregon residents; 3.20+ GPA; family AGI $60k–$100k; FAFSA filed by Feb 1 | No | Yes (≥12 credits/term, ≥36 credits/yr, GPA ≥2.0, FAFSA each year) | Middle-income Oregon students with solid academics (3.2+ GPA) |
Note: GPA and test score ranges for the Out-of-State Opportunity Scholarship are not publicly posted. Families should treat PSU’s award as competitive and check their admission letter for the actual amount.
FAQ about Automatic Merit
Do I need to apply separately? No—automatic merit is considered when you apply to PSU by the admission deadline (plus FAFSA for certain awards).
Does PSU superscore ACT/SAT? PSU is test-optional. If your student submits scores, PSU will consider them; if not, GPA and rigor carry more weight.
Can automatic scholarships stack with WUE or the Washington Border Discount? No. WUE, WBD, and the Out-of-State Opportunity Scholarship are mutually exclusive—you can only take one.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships at Portland State require more than just being admitted—they involve extra applications, essays, or special eligibility. Awards are limited and selective, so meeting the minimum GPA doesn’t guarantee funding.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Equal Access Scholarship (PEAS) | Varies (typically $1,000–$3,000/yr) | Open to new and continuing students; strong financial need (FAFSA required); evidence of leadership and community service | Yes – apply through PSU’s Scholarship Universe portal | Yes (annual FAFSA and satisfactory academic progress required) | Students with financial need and a strong service record; competitive pool with limited slots |
| Diversity Achievement Scholarship | Up to $3,500/yr | Incoming freshmen who contribute to PSU’s diversity goals; academic merit and leadership considered | Yes – separate application with essay | Yes (maintain GPA and enrollment as outlined in award) | High-achieving first-years with demonstrated leadership, community involvement, and diverse backgrounds |
FAQ about Competitive Scholarships
What makes these scholarships competitive? They have limited slots and selection committees look beyond grades—essays, service, and leadership play a big role.
Do I need to submit a separate application? Yes—most competitive awards require a separate application through PSU’s Scholarship Universe portal, with essays or references.
Can I stack these with automatic awards? Usually yes, but check your award letter. Some competitive funds are designed to supplement, not replace, automatic merit or waivers.
What are the deadlines? Most competitive scholarships require applications by February 1, in line with PSU’s priority financial aid deadline.
⭐ College Specialty
Portland State is Oregon’s leading public urban research university, classified as an R2 research institution. What makes PSU stand out is its deep connection to Portland itself—students learn by working on real-world projects tied to the city’s economy, culture, and social needs. It’s especially strong in planning, public service, and community-centered fields.
Urban & Regional Planning (Toulan School) — Ranked #16 nationally by Planetizen (2023). PSU’s planning program is nationally recognized for its hands-on studios, city partnerships, and focus on sustainable design and equity.
- Transportation Research (TREC): Nationally respected hub for active transportation and mobility research, home to PORTAL and BikePed data systems, and part of the U.S. DOT’s PacTrans center.
- Social Work: PSU’s graduate social work program ranked #36 nationally by U.S. News (2022), with deep community placement networks.
- Public Health (joint with OHSU): Ranked #32 nationally in 2020 by U.S. News, providing strong pipelines into statewide health organizations.
- Service Learning & Social Mobility: Ranked #17 in the U.S. for service learning and #1 in Oregon for social mobility (U.S. News 2024), highlighting PSU’s mission-driven focus on access and impact.
🎖️ Honors College
PSU’s University Honors College offers a small-college experience inside a large public university. Students join a tight-knit cohort, take seminar-style classes, and complete a thesis project guided by faculty mentors. Admission is by separate application, and the priority deadline is January 1 for fall entry.
A motivated high schooler with a rigorous academic background, strong essays, and leadership or service experience. GPA is usually well above a 3.5*, and test scores (if submitted) are strong but not required. *Exact GPA/test ranges are not published; estimate based on past profiles.
- Small, discussion-based classes integrated with Portland’s urban setting
- Priority registration and access to Honors housing
- Faculty-mentored research culminating in a senior thesis
- Exclusive funding opportunities and internship placements
Honors-Specific Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Laurels Scholarship | Up to $3,000/yr (tuition remission) | Admitted to PSU Honors College; must apply to PSU + Honors by Jan 1 | No – automatic with Honors application | Yes (renewable up to 4 years) | Strong essay writers and high-achieving Honors admits |
| Rosenbaum Service Leadership Scholars | $2,000/yr + internship credits | Honors students committed to community service; matched with nonprofit boards | Yes – program application | No (one-year award) | Service-oriented Honors students with leadership experience |
| Honors Editorial Fellowship (Pacific Historical Review) | $5,000 tuition remission + hourly wage | Honors students from any major; work as editorial fellow at Pacific Historical Review | Yes – application required | No (fellowship year only) | Students with strong writing/research skills interested in publishing/editing |
| Honors STEM Scholarship | $5,000/yr | Honors students majoring in STEM fields (preference for engineering or physics); merit + need-based | Yes – application required | Yes (renewable if GPA and program standards are met) | High-achieving STEM Honors students with financial need |
| James Hart Endowed Scholarship | Varies (typically $1,000–$3,000) | Honors students in Liberal Arts & Sciences; min 3.5 PSU GPA | Yes – application required | Yes (as long as GPA maintained) | Top-performing Honors students in LAS majors |
| Wessinger Foundation Honors Scholarship | Varies (need-based) | Oregon residents; Honors; full-time; GPA ≥3.5; demonstrated financial need | Yes – application required | Yes (if criteria and FAFSA maintained) | Honors students with high academic achievement and financial need |
| Wim & Alice Wiewel Diversity in Urban Sustainability Scholarship | Varies (approx. $2,000–$3,000) | Honors students addressing urban sustainability and climate change challenges | Yes – program application | Yes (depending on program funding) | Honors students with diversity-focused projects in climate or sustainability |
Note: Some of these scholarships (such as the Editorial Fellowship, Wiewel Scholarship, and certain endowed funds) have limited slots and may vary in amount or availability each year. Families should confirm current offerings with the Honors College scholarship list and Scholarship Universe before applying.
FAQ about Honors College
Is admission automatic? No. Students must apply separately to the Honors College in addition to their PSU application.
Does Honors add time to a degree? No. Honors coursework replaces PSU’s general education requirements, so it does not add extra years.
When should I apply? By January 1 for priority scholarship consideration, though later applications may be accepted until space is filled.
Can Honors students get extra funding? Yes—PSU offers multiple Honors-specific scholarships, from general tuition remission (Laurels) to specialized awards in STEM, service, sustainability, and editorial fellowships.
🔗 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Navigating Portland State’s scholarships and financial aid can feel like a maze, but when you break it down, clear opportunities emerge. Between automatic awards, identity-based programs, and the wide range of Honors scholarships, families have many ways to cut the sticker price. PSU’s strong community connections also mean students gain more than just classroom learning—they graduate with real-world experience and a network rooted in the city of Portland.
✅ Last updated: September 23, 2025