FINANCIAL NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

These awards are targeted to students who have the lowest “expected family contribution” toward their education. Roughly 80% of SOU’s student population qualifies for federal financial aid, which indicates that many of the university’s students are supporting themselves through college or that they are first-generation college students. Need-based scholarships can be open to students pursuing any major or a specific major, depending upon a donor’s interest area. Financial need is the primary determining factor when making these awards.

MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships recognize a student’s academic achievement. They are generally based on a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better. They can be open to students pursuing any major or a specific major, depending upon a donor’s interest area. A student’s performance in the classroom is the primary determining factor when making these awards.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships support students majoring in a particular area of study, depending upon a donor’s area of interest. The university has 36 majors—ranging from mathematics and political science to theatre arts and criminal justice. These scholarships are not necessarily need or merit based, as a student’s field of study is the primary determining factor when making awards. Often the faculty of the corresponding department is involved in selecting recipients.

TRANSFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Because SOU is the region’s only four-year state university, students transfer from community colleges throughout the Rogue Valley and Klamath County. Transfer students often have less access to scholarships because they are in school and completing coursework and often do not have firm plans when the fall term begins each year. These scholarships can be based on financial need and/or academic merit. The primary determining factor when making these awards is a student’s status as a transfer student.