Funding
Undocumented and DACA students are not eligible for Federal financial aid offered by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Included below are a variety of resources that can help fund college and make it more affordable for undocumented and DACA students.
Financial Aid Information for UO Dreamers Students GIVE TO THE UO DREAMER SCHOLARSHIP
Contents
Scholarship Application Timeline
October: File your ORSAA as soon as possible after October 1st, to ensure you are considered for all scholarships that consider financial need.
November – February: Start your OSAC Scholarship application and submit them November – March 1st
-
- First-time applicants: create an OSAC account and start the OSAC Scholarship Application.
- Returning applicants: refresh and update your application from last year.
- High school juniors may start a “test application”, but cannot submit until their year of graduation.
February 15 5pm*: Early Bird deadline. Complete applications (including transcripts) submitted by this date will be entered into a drawing for one of several $1,000 Early Bird scholarship awards.
March 1 5pm *: Final deadline for all materials to be submitted to OSAC.
April – August: Track your application status and scholarship awards in the OSAC Student Portal.
Tuition Equity
- Attended an elementary or secondary/high school in a state or territory of the US for at least five years prior to receiving a high school diploma or GED.
- Attended a state of Oregon school for at least three years prior to receiving a high school diploma or GED.
- Graduated from an Oregon high school or received a GED in Oregon.
- Showed intention to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Nonresidents of Oregon are ineligible for Tuition Equity and are subject to non-resident tuition and fees.
To apply for tuition equity at the UO complete the Tuition Equity Affidavit
UO Tuition Equity: Questions & Answers
State Funding: ORSAA
ORSAA, the Oregon Student Aid Application is available to Oregon residents who are ineligible to receive Federal financial aid. We recommend that all undocumented and DACA students submit an ORSAA. By submitting ORSAA DACA and undocumented Oregon residents may be eligible for state grant funding and can demonstrate financial need for scholarships.
DACA and undocumented students that are not Oregon residents can still submit the ORSAA to demonstrate financial need for scholarships that require it, but will be ineligible for state grant funding.
Scholarships
Incoming students are automatically considered for scholarships based on their admissions materials. In addition, DACA and undocumented students can apply for the following scholarships:
Diversity Excellence | Stamps | Presidential | General University: Transfer & Current Student
Opportunity through Excellence: Fund the Dream Scholarship
This is a one year award that ranges from $5,000 – $9,000 for the school year. Typical deadline is April 1st, check the UO Scholarship Dashboard for exact deadline.
The scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. In order to be eligible, students must be:
- Currently enrolled at UO, or apply for admission as an Incoming Graduate, Law or Transfer student for Fall 2020 (incoming freshmen are not eligible to apply).
- A first generation college student
- Able to show financial need
- Ineligible for federal financial aid
To apply:
- Log in to the UO Scholarship Dashboard and complete the “General Application.”
- Then click on “Other Recommended Opportunities” and select “Opportunity Through Excellence Scholarship.”
Please note: Incoming freshman/first year students are ineligible.
UO Student Crisis Fund
The UO has crisis funding available for students who experience unexpected financial hardship that may negatively impact their enrollment at the UO.
To be eligible for crisis funds students must…
• Be enrolled at the University of Oregon for the term the emergency aid is being requested.
• If applying between terms/semesters, have been enrolled during the previous term and are enrolled the following term.
• Have temporary financial hardship resulting from a crisis or emergency.
• Have exhausted all federal student aid options (including student loans). If you are ineligible for federal student aid, you are still eligible to apply for the crisis fund. Please note unwillingness to take out student loans does not constitute a financial hardship.
• As requested, be able to provide sufficient documentation of financial hardship.
Undocumented & DACAmented students ARE eligible to receive crisis funds from the UO. Even if you do not qualify to apply for federal student aid, you are eligible to apply for the crisis fund. We encourage all students experiencing economic hardship, which may negatively impact their enrollment, academic progress, and educational success to apply for the UO Crisis Fund.
Additional Funding Resources
- Students with work authorization can consider employment opportunities that might help you pay for your education: UO Student Employment Opportunities
- Check out Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) which enable families with limited financial resources to save and build assets fast while developing good financial habits. You apply for a savings plan, the state then matches with a 1:5 ratio up to $8,000 for a total of $9,600 over 3 years
- Ask your local community organizations if they have scholarships
- Look into additional state and national scholarships (review eligibility requirements carefully)
