Scholarships for Incoming Students

To qualify for the scholarships offered by Pacific University Oregon, students must complete the application for admission and be admitted to the university.

Academic Scholarships

Pacific Academic Scholarships

Pacific considers all incoming students for generous academic-based scholarships. No separate application is required and eligibility is based on the strength of an applicant's academic record, as well as all materials submitted with the admission application. Pacific Academic Scholarships up to $30,000 toward tuition and fees are available to students enrolled as undergraduate in the College of Arts & Sciences on the Forest Grove campus. Students will be notified of their academic scholarship eligibility at the time of admission.

View Academic Scholarships for more information.

Pacesetter Honors Scholarships

The Pacesetters Honors Scholarship Competition, to be held in early spring, is an opportunity for academically talented high school seniors to earn either one renewable full tuition scholarship or 1 of 35 annually renewable $10,000 scholarships ($40,000 over 4 years) towards tuition and fees by demonstrating their exceptional abilities to Pacific's faculty members.  All participants are guaranteed at minimum an annually renewable scholarship of $1,000 ($4,000 over 4 years).

Participation is by invitation only and invitees will be notified starting January 2023. Please contact your Admissions Counselor or the Office of Admissions at 503-352-2218 for more information.

NOTE: Transfer students are not eligible to participate in Pacesetter events.

Senior Preview Scholarship Day

Informative virtual event that provide high school seniors and their guests an opportunity to interact with the Pacific University campus and community. Throughout the day you will hear from an Admissions Counselor, meet with outstanding faculty, interact with current students and tour Pacific's beautiful campus. Attendees who apply and are admitted to Pacific will earn an annually renewable $1,000 scholarship ($4,000 over 4 years).

View Senior Preview Scholarship Day for more information.

Talent Awards & Scholarships

Art, Design & Art History Talent Award

Do you enjoy processing and interpreting the world through visual and tactile experiences? The Art Department offers Art and Art History Talent Awards to students passionate about creating and understanding art. Scholarships for entering students range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are available for up to four years, as long as students meet program participation requirements. Students applying to Pacific as freshmen or transfer students are eligible for these scholarships. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.

Art, Design, & Art History Talent Award Application

Contact Doug Anderson at danderson@pacificu.edu with questions.

Binford Endowed Scholarship in English

This scholarship is available to incoming first-year or transfer students majoring or minoring in English with a focus in literature or creative writing. This fund was created by a testamentary gift from the estate of Laura Phillips, for the charitable purpose of awarding scholarships to students “who have demonstrated the talent and interest in improving their writing skills and pursuing a career in writing.” The Binford Endowed Scholarship is designated for the educational benefit of students majoring or minoring in English who have demonstrated abilities and interest in writing.  Qualifying first-year and transfer students will receive awards up to $5000, as determined by the selection committee. Awards are available for up to four years, as long as students meet the award requirements.

Binford Endowed Scholarship Application

Dance Scholarship

Passionate about dance? Consider applying and auditioning for a scholarship to pursue your art at Pacific! Dance Talent Scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,000 for Dance Majors and $1,000 to $3,000 for Dance Minors. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as students meet program participation requirements.  Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.

Dance Scholarship Application

Douglas J. Ryan Computer Science Scholarship

This fund has been established by former students and colleagues to honor Professor Douglas J. Ryan, who founded the computer science program at Pacific in 1983. Under Professor Ryan's leadership, the Computer Sciences Program has grown and thrived and is now an established part of Pacific University. The purpose of this fund is to support undergraduate student education in Computer Science. 

Douglas J. Ryan Computer Science Scholarship Application

Forensics Talent Award

Students interested in collegiate forensics while attending Pacific University are eligible for Forensics Talent Awards. These scholarships are intended to honor both past achievements and future potential in competitive speech and debate. Forensics Talent Awards range from $2,000 to $4,000 annually and are available for up to four years, as long as students maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and meet program participation requirements. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.

Forensics Talent Award Application

Contact Dan Broyles, Director of Forensics, at dsbroyles@pacificu.edu for additional information.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent and are offered to music and non-music majors. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $7,000 annually and are available for up to four years, as long as students take private lessons and perform in an appropriate large ensemble (Symphonic Band, Chamber Singers, or Choral Union). To apply, students must be admitted and audition in person or via an uploaded MP3 or YouTube link. Application deadline is March 1 prior to the start of the academic year.

Visit the Music Scholarships page for more information and application requirements.

Speech and Debate

See Forensics Scholarships above.

Theatre and Applied Theatre Talent Scholarship

Passionate about theatre? Consider applying for a scholarship to pursue your art at Pacific! Theatre Scholarships for entering students range from $5,000 to $7,000 and are available for up to four years, as long as students meet program participation requirements. Questions may be sent to talentauditions@pacificu.edu.  See application for deadlines.

Theatre Talent Award Application

Visit the Theatre & Applied Theatre Scholarship page for more information and application requirements.

Pacific Scholarship in Mathematics and Sciences (PSiMS)

Pacific University will award scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students, and to returning sophomores who commit to majoring in Science or Mathematics and are planning to pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), including STEM education. The scholarships are awarded to students with financial need and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and renewable amounts up to $8000 per year are awarded to selected undergraduates.

Pacific Scholarship in Mathematics and Sciences (PSiMS) Application

Special Interest Scholarships

Arthur E. Schauermann Memorial Scholarship

The Arthur E. Schauermann Memorial Scholarship is a non-renewable award given annually to graduates of Forest Grove High School who attend Pacific University as undergraduate or graduate/professional students. Deadline to apply is March 1.

Arthur E/ Schauermann Scholarship Application

Newcomer Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Newcomer Scholarship provides financial support for students who are U.S. residents born in other countries with demonstrated financial need and academic promise.  Priority will be given to applicants with refugee or asylum status, who have had to overcome barriers, including but not limited to, cultural, emotional, physical, familial, political, or economic circumstances.

Newcomer Endowed Scholarship Fund Application

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships are awarded to selected entering transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa. Recipients must have completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours that are accepted by Pacific, and must maintain a satisfactory GPA in order to be eligible. Awards are $2,500 and are renewable.
 
Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and application requirements.

Pacific University Phi Theta Kappa Award Application

Tom McCall Fellowship

Awarded to select first-year undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences who show an interest in, and continue to engage in, civic engagement activities and public affairs, such as volunteer service, elections/campaigns, advocacy, awareness-raising, fundraising, and community organizing. Awards are renewable. Application deadline is March 1st prior to the start of the academic year.

For questions, contact Stephanie Stokamer, Associate Dean of Applied and Experiential Learning, at stok@pacificu.edu.

Tom McCall Fellowship Application

United Church of Christ Tuition Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students who are dependents (as defined by Internal Revenue Service rules) of UCC clergy members. Scholarships are equal to half of full-time tuition. No application is required; eligible applicants should report parent’s UCC clergy status on the application for admission.  Students will either receive the UCC Tuition Scholarship OR a Pacific University Academic Scholarship (awarded at the time of admission), whichever is higher.  Students may not receive both awards.

United Church of Christ Matching Awards

Matching awards are available for students who receive an outside UCC scholarship. Recipients who have financial need are eligible for matching funds up to $1,500; recipients who do not have financial need are eligible for matching funds up to $500. No application is required; eligible scholarship recipients should report their qualifying UCC scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.

Community-Based Scholarships

Black United Fund of Oregon ACCESS Scholarship

One Oregon resident will receive a renewable award meeting 100 percent of the recipient's federally defined need, to enroll at Pacific University. The recipient's need will be met with scholarships, grants, federal student loans and federal work-study (employment).

Visit the Black United Fund of Oregon ACCESS Scholarship Page for more information and the application requirements.

Apply at Black United Fund Scholarship Application Page

Early College High School Award

Pacific University awards one renewable award of combined federal, state and institutional gift aid that meet full tuition and fees to a graduate of the Early College High School program at participating Portland Community College campuses (now serving students from Beaverton, Tualatin and Tigard school districts). Must apply as a current high school senior, and must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in the academic year following graduation from the Early College High School program. Application and interview required.

Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements.

Early College High School Scholarship Application 

Future Connect Next Steps Scholarship

Pacific University awards up to three renewable awards of combined federal, state and institutional gift aid that meet full tuition and fees, plus a standard book allowance to incoming transfer students successfully completing their AAOT degree through the Future Connect program at participating Portland Community College campuses. Application and interview required.

Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements. Must enroll as a full-time undergraduate transfer student at our Forest Grove campus, in the academic year following completion of the Future Connect program. 

Future Connect Next Steps Scholarship Application

Pacific University Oregon Promise Award

Pacific University awards up to five renewable $30,000 per year awards to Oregon Promise students transferring to Pacific University each fall.  Student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate transfer student at the Forest Grove campus.  Application deadline is March 1st of the academic year prior to transfer.  This award replaces the academic merit scholarship typically awarded to eligible transfer students (students may receive either an academic merit scholarship, or the Pacific University Oregon Promise Award, but not both). 

Contact Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Justin McRobert, at McRobert@pacificu.edu for additional information and eligibility requirements. 

Pacific University Oregon Promise Award Application