University of Portland Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:

Automatic merit scholarships and eligibility ranges
Competitive awards and faith-based opportunities
Need-based aid and average family costs
Testing policy and scholarship deadlines

📊 Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance Rate: ~95%
Middle 50% SAT: 1168–1370
Middle 50% ACT: 25–31
Average HS GPA: 3.69 (unweighted)

Source: University of Portland Common Data Set 2024–25 and College Board BigFuture.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

UP at a Glance

Note: The University of Portland does not currently list any full-tuition scholarships. Its top merit awards can still substantially reduce tuition for high-achieving students.

Average Net Price

$36,371

After grants and scholarships (IPEDS / College Scorecard 2024)

Automatic Merit

Up to $28,000 per year

Awarded upon admission; no separate application

Top Competitive Awards

Faith-Based Leadership • Dean’s Merit • Founders Scholarship

Partial-tuition awards recognizing leadership and service

Typical Qualifiers

3.6–4.0 GPA • 1200+ SAT or 26+ ACT

Holistic review; service and faith valued

Testing Policy

Test-optional through 2025–26

Superscores if scores submitted

Key Deadlines

Nov 15 — Early Action • Feb 1 — Regular Decision

FAFSA priority: Feb 1

Full-Tuition / Full-Ride

No full-tuition or full-ride scholarships currently published

Top awards reduce tuition by up to ≈ $28K per year

Residency & Waivers

Private Catholic University (Portland, OR)

All U.S. and international students considered equally

– University of Portland’s top merit awards reach up to ≈ $28,000 per year. No full-tuition scholarships are currently advertised.
Last verified: October 24, 2025

The University of Portland combines strong academic merit scholarships with faith- and service-based awards that help make a private Catholic education more affordable. While UP does not currently offer a full-tuition scholarship, its automatic merit awards—up to $28,000 per year—significantly reduce tuition for most admitted students.

Additional competitive scholarships recognize leadership, community involvement, and alignment with UP’s mission. All applicants are automatically reviewed for merit aid at the time of admission, and most students qualify for some level of institutional award.

FAQ

Does UP offer full-tuition scholarships? No. The university’s highest published awards are partial-tuition merit scholarships up to about $28,000 per year.

Are merit scholarships automatic? Yes. All admitted first-year and transfer students are automatically considered for merit awards.

What’s the average net price? About $36,371 after grants and scholarships (IPEDS 2024).

Is UP test-optional? Yes. The University of Portland remains test-optional through 2025–26 and superscores if scores are submitted.

Sources:
https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html (University Scholarships page)
https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html (Undergraduate Admissions overview)
https://www.up.edu/admissions/finaid/apply.html (Financial Aid deadlines & FAFSA info)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-portland/admissions (College Board BigFuture admissions data)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?209825-University-of-Portland (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard)
https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-portland/ (Niche 2024 net price and aid data)
https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/University-of-Portland-sat-scores-GPA (PrepScholar GPA and test range data)

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Portland

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12+ credits; includes required student fees)	$60,100	$60,100
Housing & Meals (on-campus standard: traditional shared room + Meal Plan 2)	$17,100	$17,100
Total (before aid)	$77,200	$77,200

Note: This table includes only direct charges paid to UP (tuition, required fees, standard on-campus housing & meal plan). Indirect costs like books & supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and waivable health insurance are not listed here because they are not paid directly to the university and vary by student.

Average Net Price: $36,371 (2022–23 U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard). This is what families actually paid on average after scholarships and grants were applied — no loans included.

Cross-Registration & Exchanges: UP does not participate in public tuition-discount programs like WUE. Through the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities (OAICU), eligible full-time students may take one undergraduate course per term at another Alliance campus with no additional tuition (host course fees or overload charges may apply). UP also offers international exchanges where students pay UP tuition while studying at partner universities.

Cost FAQ

Who qualifies for in-state discounts?
None — UP is private, so in-state and out-of-state students pay the same base tuition.

How much does living on campus add?
About $17,100 for a standard traditional shared room plus the mid-range Meal Plan 2. Choosing a single room or higher dining plan increases this.

What about exchange opportunities?
Students can cross-register for one course per term at other OAICU schools (space-available) and use UP’s international exchange partners to study abroad while still paying UP tuition.

Sources:
https://up.edu/finaid/cost2526 (University cost worksheet 2025–26; tuition, required fees, room & meal plan rates)
https://www.up.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-and-fees/undergraduate.html (Student Accounts — undergraduate tuition & meal plan listings)
https://www.up.edu/residencelife/housing-sign-up/rates.html (Residence Life — room & board rates 2025–26)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?209825-University-of-Portland (College Scorecard — average net price)
https://oaicu.org/programs/ (OAICU Cross-Registration overview) • https://oaicu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cross-Registration-Form_Rev.-Feb24_Fillable.pdf (OAICU policy form; one course/term; no added tuition; possible fees/overload)

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
President’s Scholarship	$28,000–$30,000/yr	First-years with very strong GPA & rigorous coursework	No	Yes, up to 8 semesters; must stay full-time and meet academic progress	Students with GPAs near 3.8–4.0*; top academic rigor	Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD)
Archbishop Christie Scholarship	≈ $35,000/yr	Top Catholic HS students; top ~2% of class	No	Yes, 8 semesters	Only a handful; typically 4.0 GPA, strongest rigor	Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD)
Holy Cross / Arthur A. Schulte, Jr. / Howard Vollum	$24,000–$26,000/yr	Strong GPA; some tied to Catholic HS or majors (e.g. engineering, CS)	No	Yes, 8 semesters	High-achievers, often 3.6–3.9+ GPA* with rigor	Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD)
General Institutional Merit	Up to $28,000/yr	Based on GPA & strength of curriculum; test scores optional but considered	No	Yes, 8 semesters	Range of strong GPAs; mid 3.5s earn lower tiers; higher GPAs get max awards*	Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD)

*Estimated GPA bands based on past awards and public data; actual thresholds may shift depending on applicant pool.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to apply separately?
No — all admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarships.

Does University of Portland superscore the SAT/ACT?
Yes. UP will take the highest section scores across test dates if you choose to submit scores, which can boost eligibility for higher merit tiers.

Can merit stack with other aid?
You can only hold one institutional merit scholarship. These do not stack with each other, but they can combine with federal/state aid and many outside scholarships.

When do I find out?
Merit awards are included with admission decisions. Applying by UP’s Early Action (December 1) or Regular Decision (February 15) deadlines ensures full consideration.

Sources:
University of Portland Scholarships – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html
Institutional Scholarships at UP – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Financial Aid Handbook – https://up.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html
University of Portland Scholarships (2025–2026 Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/
UP Important Dates/Deadlines – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/dates.html

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (competitive, university-level)

These are the big, competitive “flagship” scholarships (often full-tuition or full-ride) that require extra steps beyond admission. As of the 2025–2026 cycle, the University of Portland does not publish any university-level flagship/competitive scholarships with a separate application. Most top awards are automatic merit (see the section above). Departmental and Honors-specific awards appear in their own sections.

Scholarship	Award Amount	What Makes It Competitive	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable? / Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
—	—	—	—	—	—	Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD)

Flagship (Competitive) FAQ

Does UP offer full-tuition or full-ride flagship scholarships with separate applications?
Not currently published. UP’s largest awards for first-years are automatic merit (awarded with admission). Departmental and Honors awards are handled separately and listed in their respective sections.

Where should high-achieving students focus?
Submit a strong admission application early (rigorous coursework, top GPA). Then check the Hidden Gems and Honors College sections for additional opportunities that may require separate steps.

Do test scores help for competitive consideration?
UP is test-optional, but if you submit scores, the university superscores SAT/ACT. Higher superscored results can strengthen your overall academic profile used for top automatic awards.

Can flagship-style awards stack with automatic merit?
If UP later publishes a university-level competitive award, stacking rules will be specified by the university. As of now, institutional merit awards don’t stack with each other; see Automatic Merit for details.

Sources:
University of Portland Scholarships (2025–2026 Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/
University of Portland Admissions – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html
Institutional Scholarships at UP – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Dates & Deadlines – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/dates.html

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the big merit awards, the University of Portland has some lesser-known programs that can make a private education far more affordable. These hidden gems often target specific majors, identities, or commitments.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Providence Scholars Program (Nursing)	≈81% of tuition (Providence + UP match)	Junior & senior nursing majors who agree to work for Providence after graduation	Yes, via School of Nursing	Yes, for junior & senior years	Nursing majors selected into the program who commit to Providence employment	Jan. 10 (for fall start)
Religious Tuition Discount	25% of tuition & fees	Roman Catholic clergy, religious order members, or Catholic school employees (with employer match)	Yes, employer + UP paperwork	Yes, with continued eligibility	Students tied to Catholic institutions that provide a matching benefit	May 1 (recommended)
Trinity Scholars Program	$10,000/yr	Christian students from OR/WA/ID/MT with strong academics	Yes, program application	Yes, if criteria maintained	Selected faith-driven students from eligible states	Feb. 28
Renaissance Scholars	Typically covers major tuition costs (varies by cohort)	First-generation students with high financial need (specific regions)	Yes, via Renaissance Scholars Foundation	Yes, if financial need and participation continue	First-gen students selected by the foundation	March 1
University of Portland Grant	Amount varies by FAFSA-calculated need	Undergraduates pursuing first bachelor’s degree with financial need	No, automatic with FAFSA	Yes, up to 8 semesters	Students with demonstrated need via FAFSA	Jan. 15 (priority FAFSA)
Pilots First Award	Amount varies; need-based	Admitted first-generation students with FAFSA-demonstrated need	No, automatic with FAFSA	Yes, up to 8 semesters	First-gen students who qualify for need-based aid	Jan. 15 (priority FAFSA)

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/need thresholds are based on the most recent official University of Portland and partner program information. Figures may shift year-to-year depending on available funding and applicant pools.

Leadership and Service opportunities (such as Archbishop Christie, which is already listed under Automatic Merit) may also carry recognition, but the main monetary value is captured in the automatic scholarship section.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Are these automatic?
No — each hidden gem has its own application process, whether through the School of Nursing, a religious employer, or an outside foundation.

Can these awards stack with UP merit scholarships?
Often yes. For example, Providence Scholars is layered on top of existing UP merit, though final totals can’t exceed direct costs. Always confirm stacking rules with Financial Aid.

Are these limited in number?
Yes. Providence Scholars has a set number of slots, and programs like Renaissance Scholars select only a handful each year.

Where do I apply?
Through the UP School of Nursing, UP Financial Aid office, or the outside scholarship organization depending on the award.

Sources:
Providence Scholars Program – https://nursing.up.edu/providence/providence-scholars.html
Trinity Scholars Program – https://www.trinityscholars.org/
Pilots First Award – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Financial Aid Handbook – https://up.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html
University of Portland Grants – https://www.up.edu/finaid/financial-aid/grants.html
University of Portland Scholarships (2025–2026 Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/

🎖️ Honors College

The University of Portland offers an Honors Program (not a separate college) designed for highly motivated students who want an extra level of academic challenge. Admission is by application, and the program emphasizes small seminar-style classes, independent research, and leadership development. It’s a good fit for students who thrive on curiosity and want more than a standard degree path.

What a Typical UP Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.8+*, strong college-prep rigor, leadership in service or activities, and a clear interest in research or creative work.

Why It Matters:
Honors students receive priority registration, take part in small seminar courses, work closely with faculty mentors, and complete a capstone project or thesis. Some Honors cohorts also live together in dedicated residence hall communities.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
UP Honors Program (entry only)	No entry scholarship; receives perks above	First-years with GPA ≈3.8+, academic rigor, leadership/service	Yes—Honors application required	N/A	Most accepted have high academics plus engagement	Feb. 15 (priority deadline; same as RD)

*Profile estimates based on current class data and University disclosures. No extra Honors entry scholarship is published; all high achievers can compete for institutional awards.

Honors FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must submit a separate application to the Honors Program, typically alongside their admission application.

Does Honors add time to the degree?
No. The program is designed to integrate into the standard four-year degree plan, with Honors seminars replacing some core requirements.

Are there deadlines?
Yes. The Honors application follows UP’s admission deadlines, with a priority deadline of Feb. 15.

Is there extra scholarship money for Honors?
No separate Honors-only scholarships are published; students receive institutional or donor scholarships through the normal channels.

Sources:
University of Portland Honors Program – https://www.up.edu/honors/
Honors Program Timeline – https://www.up.edu/honors/timeline.html
For Applicants – https://www.up.edu/honors/apply.html
University of Portland Scholarships (2025–2026 Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/

⭐ College Specialty

The University of Portland is a teaching-focused Catholic university that blends liberal arts with professional preparation. Parents often notice that UP has built a reputation for producing graduates in health care, education, and engineering who go straight into high-demand jobs in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, internships, and service—making its programs especially attractive for students who want a clear path from classroom to career.

Signature Program: The School of Nursing & Health Innovations is nationally recognized, with NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates that consistently exceed state and national averages. Many students secure jobs at Providence and Legacy Health systems right after graduation.

Engineering (Shiley School of Engineering) — Known regionally for civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering programs with strong ties to Portland’s tech and infrastructure industries.
Business (Pamplin School of Business) — AACSB-accredited and ranked among the top regional business schools in the West (U.S. News & World Report 2024).
Education — UP’s School of Education is one of Oregon’s leading teacher preparation programs, with graduates highly placed in K–12 schools statewide.
Environmental Studies & Sustainability — Recognized for community-engaged sustainability projects and green campus initiatives that prepare students for careers in environmental policy and practice.