University of Oregon Scholarships: What You Need to Know About Merit, WUE, and More

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🎓 University of Oregon Scholarships: What You Need to Know About Merit, WUE, and More

The University of Oregon has a reputation for generous merit aid — but the details can be confusing, especially for out-of-state families hoping to stack discounts. This page breaks down which scholarships are automatic, which ones are competitive, and how programs like WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) actually apply.

If your son or daughter is an Oregon resident, be sure to check out the Oregon State Aid Guide to learn about state grants and programs that can be added on top of UO’s scholarships.

💰 Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)

Here’s what families can expect to pay before any financial aid or scholarships are applied:

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees $15,567 $46,752
Room & Board $15,888 $15,888
Books, Supplies, Personal, Transport $4,314 $4,314
💵 Estimated Total $35,769 $66,954
🌍 Out-of-State Tuition Note: The University of Oregon does not offer WUE or any formal out-of-state tuition waiver. If your son or daughter is not an Oregon resident, you’ll be paying the full nonresident rate — unless they qualify for merit aid through scholarships like Summit or Apex, which reduce the cost based on GPA and test scores.
📉 Net Price (What Families Actually Pay):
After financial aid, the average net cost for in-state students is around $18,000–$21,000/year. For out-of-state students, that average jumps to $35,000–$40,000/year — but high test scores or GPAs may qualify your kid for automatic merit awards that lower the real price.

📊 Automatic Scholarships

The University of Oregon offers two main automatic merit scholarships for out-of-state students: Summit and Apex. These are awarded based on high school GPA — no separate application is required. Students are automatically considered when they apply for admission by the priority deadline.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility (GPA) Renewable? Stackable? Separate App?
Summit Scholarship $10,000/year 3.90+ GPA (unweighted) Yes (up to 4 years) No No (auto with admission)
Apex Scholarship $7,500/year 3.60–3.89 GPA (unweighted) Yes (up to 4 years) No No (auto with admission)

These scholarships are only available to first-time freshmen and are applied automatically based on your child’s GPA at the time of admission. There’s no need to submit a separate scholarship form — just apply to UO by the January 15 priority deadline.

📌 Note: These awards do not stack with other UO merit scholarships, but they can be combined with need-based aid like the Pell Grant or Oregon Opportunity Grant for in-state students.

❓ FAQ: Summit and Apex Scholarships

Is the GPA cutoff based on weighted or unweighted?
UO uses a standardized, unweighted GPA calculated by their admissions office. This may differ from the GPA shown on your child’s high school transcript. To qualify for Summit, your child must have a recalculated 3.90+ GPA. Apex requires a 3.60–3.89.
Do ACT or SAT scores help with Summit or Apex?
Not anymore. As of 2021, UO is test optional, and GPA alone determines eligibility for these scholarships. That said, strong test scores may still help your child stand out for competitive or departmental awards.
Is there a deadline to qualify for Summit or Apex?
Yes. Students must submit their admissions application by January 15 to be considered. There’s no separate scholarship form — eligibility is based on the application materials and transcript submitted by that date.
Can Summit or Apex be stacked with other aid?
These awards do not stack with other UO merit scholarships like the Presidential or Diversity Excellence Scholarships. However, they can be combined with need-based aid like Pell Grants, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, or private scholarships.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships require strong academics, leadership, or specific qualifications — and most need an extra application, nomination, or designation. If your child is aiming high, these are worth exploring early.

Scholarship Award Amount Renewable? Separate App? Who Wins?
Presidential Scholarship $9,000/year Yes (4 years) Yes Top Oregon residents with 3.90+ GPA and exceptional service or leadership
Diversity Excellence Scholarship $6,500/year (in-state)
$9,000/year (out-of-state)		 Yes (4 years) Yes Students who bring diverse perspectives and show academic strength + leadership
Stamps Scholarship Full cost of attendance + enrichment funds Yes (4 years) Yes (nominated via UO Scholars) National-level students with leadership, academics, and service; highly selective
National Merit Finalist Up to $2,000/year Yes (4 years) Yes (designate UO as 1st choice) National Merit Finalists who select UO through NMSC

Most competitive scholarships at UO require strong leadership, service, and a clearly demonstrated impact — not just grades. Be sure to review each scholarship’s page for deadlines and application details, especially for the Presidential and Stamps programs.

❓ FAQ: Competitive Scholarships at UO

Can my child receive both Apex/Summit and a competitive scholarship?
No. The University of Oregon does not stack institutional merit scholarships. If your child is awarded a higher-value competitive scholarship (like Presidential or Diversity Excellence), it will replace the Summit or Apex award — not add to it.
Do these scholarships require test scores?
UO is test optional for admission and most scholarships — but a strong SAT or ACT score can still boost your child’s application for highly competitive awards like the Stamps Scholarship. If they have a strong score, it’s worth submitting.
When is the deadline to apply for UO’s competitive scholarships?
Most require the admissions application to be submitted by January 15, with scholarship-specific materials due shortly after. The Stamps Scholarship requires participation in the UO Scholars program and earlier consideration — usually by mid-January.
Who actually wins these scholarships?
Competitive scholarship recipients often have a 4.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted), leadership experience, and community service. For major awards like Stamps, applicants usually stand out at the national level with awards, research, or advocacy work.

🎓 Clark Honors College at UO

The Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon is a small, highly selective academic program that functions like a liberal arts college within the larger university. It offers small class sizes, priority registration, a tight-knit community, and close faculty mentorship.

Students in the Honors College complete additional core courses and write a senior thesis — but they can still pursue any major across the university. It’s open to both in-state and out-of-state students, and it often appeals to kids who are looking for more intellectual challenge or a smaller academic home base.

🎓 Why It Matters: Clark Honors College gives your son or daughter access to the best professors, first dibs on classes, and research opportunities usually reserved for grad students — all while still being part of a large public university.

How to Apply

  • Deadline: January 15 (same as UO admissions deadline)
  • Requirements: Strong GPA, personal essay, and short answer questions — test scores are optional
  • How: Select “Clark Honors College” on the UO application and complete the supplemental materials

Admission is competitive. Most accepted students have a 3.90+ GPA, strong writing skills, and a clear desire to be challenged academically. Honors College admission is not tied directly to scholarships, but many top scholarship recipients are also admitted to Clark.

❓ FAQ: Clark Honors College at UO

Is there special housing for Honors students?
Yes. Students in the Clark Honors College are strongly encouraged to live in the Global Scholars Hall — a residence hall designed for academic-focused students, with dedicated study spaces and honors-specific programming.
Is the Honors College more work?
Yes — but in a good way. Honors students take smaller seminar-style classes, complete extra writing and critical thinking coursework, and complete a senior thesis. Most say it’s more engaging, not just more homework.
Does getting into the Honors College help with scholarships?
Not directly — there’s no guaranteed scholarship tied to Clark Honors College admission. But many Presidential and Stamps Scholars are also Honors students, and being in the program can strengthen applications for other research or departmental awards.
Can my child still pursue any major?
Absolutely. Honors students can major in anything offered at UO — from architecture to journalism to biology. The honors core curriculum replaces the general education requirements, not the major itself.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

The University of Oregon doesn’t advertise every scholarship on its main admissions page — but once you dig into departments, talent areas, and special recognitions, you’ll find a few extra ways to earn money that families often miss.

  • Departmental Awards: Many academic departments — like Biology, Psychology, or English — offer small scholarships (often $500–$2,000) for top students. For example, the Department of Sociology awards the Jack Ramey Scholarship each spring to students pursuing research in social justice or inequality.
  • Band Scholarships: Students who audition and perform with the Oregon Marching Band or Wind Ensemble may be eligible for $500–$2,000/year in music service awards. These are not limited to music majors — they’re open to any student who participates consistently.
  • Arts Scholarships: Students majoring in Art, Music, or Dance can compete for additional talent-based awards after admission. These often require a portfolio or audition. The School of Music and Dance offers dozens of donor-funded awards for committed performers and composers.
  • Valedictorian Recognition: While UO doesn’t offer a specific valedictorian scholarship, being ranked #1 or #2 in your class can strengthen your profile for departmental awards and competitive aid — especially when paired with strong essays and leadership.
  • Club-Based Scholarships: While UO doesn’t offer institutional scholarships tied to clubs like Key Club or Beta Club, students can still earn outside scholarships (from those organizations) and report them to UO’s financial aid office for disbursement. These awards can be stacked with UO merit aid.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Stackable? Separate App?
Departmental Awards $500–$2,000 Majors with high GPA or specific focus areas Yes Usually after enrollment
Marching Band & Ensemble Awards $500–$2,000/year Active performers (any major) Yes Audition required
Arts & Performance Awards $500–$5,000 Music, dance, or art majors with portfolio or audition Yes Yes (usually post-admission)
PathwayOregon Program Full tuition & fees Oregon residents with Pell eligibility Yes No (auto if eligible)
Outside Club Scholarships Varies Beta Club, Key Club, Scouts, etc. Yes Yes (apply externally)
✅ Strategy Tip: Once your child is admitted, encourage them to ask their academic department about internal scholarships. These are usually awarded in spring for the following year — and most students never apply because they don’t know they exist.

❓ FAQ: Hidden Scholarships at UO

Does UO offer scholarships for band or music?
Yes. The Oregon Marching Band and School of Music & Dance offer performance-based scholarships (typically $500–$2,000/year). Your child does not need to be a music major — but auditions and consistent participation are required.
Are there scholarships for students majoring in things like psychology or biology?
Yes. Most academic departments offer small donor-funded scholarships for current students based on GPA, research, or major focus. For example, Sociology offers the Jack Ramey Award for students studying inequality. These are usually awarded during or after your child’s first year.
Is there a scholarship just for being valedictorian?
No — UO doesn’t offer a specific scholarship for class rank alone. But being valedictorian can still boost your child’s chances at receiving competitive scholarships or departmental awards, especially when paired with leadership or service.
Do clubs like Key Club, Beta Club, or Scouts help with scholarships?
UO doesn’t directly award scholarships for those clubs — but external scholarships from those organizations can be stacked with UO aid. Many of them require a separate application but are well worth pursuing.
How do we find these smaller scholarships once my child is admitted?
After admission, your child can log into UO’s internal Scholarship Dashboard to apply for hundreds of smaller awards. Also encourage them to check with their academic advisor or department — most hidden scholarships aren’t posted publicly.
📄 Compare Before You Commit: Use our printable College Offer Comparison Sheet to lay out real aid offers side-by-side — not just sticker prices. Especially helpful when comparing Summit/Apex to out-of-state tuition at other schools.

📝 What To Do Next

  • ✅ Have your child apply by the January 15 priority deadline to be considered for Summit, Apex, and competitive scholarships.
  • ✅ Review your estimated net price using UO’s Net Price Calculator.
  • ✅ If you’re an Oregon resident with Pell eligibility, check automatic eligibility for PathwayOregon.
  • ✅ If your child is high-achieving, look into applying for Clark Honors College (due Jan 15, requires essays).
  • ✅ Explore departmental scholarships after admission — many are awarded in the spring for sophomore year and beyond.
  • ✅ Report any outside scholarships (Key Club, Scouts, etc.) to UO Financial Aid — they may be stackable with other aid.

🧰 Parent Tools

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most parents. UO has more layers to its scholarship process than it seems — but now you’ve got the full picture. Focus on what’s real, apply early, and give your kid a shot at every dollar they’ve earned.

🎒 Want to keep track of all this? Download the free College Ready Parent Starter Kit — checklists, trackers, and tools built for parents doing this for the first time.

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