Application Process

Newly admitted and continuing students should visit OSU ScholarDollars to submit an application!

To be eligible to receive a scholarship award ALL students must:

  • Maintain enrollment during Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Some CoF scholarships do not require full-time (12+ credits) enrollment but all require at least 6+ OSU credits without an approved petition.
  • The College of Forestry must be on record as your primary college (students with a double degree do not need the CoF as their primary college).
  • Make reasonable and continued progress toward your declared College of Forestry major while receiving a scholarship.
  • If dual enrolled in the Degree Partnership Program, at least 6 of the minimum 12 required per term credits must be at OSU. You must provide proof of your community college registration for each term you are dual enrolled.
  • Maintain high academic standards (at least a 2.5 OSU Accumulative GPA for continuing students; minimum GPA expectations are similar for first-year students and transfer students).
November 1, 2023

The Oregon State University scholarship search and application system, ScholarDollars, opens. Students are encouraged to log in with ONID credentials to complete the OSU general scholarship application and College of Forestry scholarship application.

March 15, 2024 - EXTENDED

The College of Forestry online scholarship application process closes for new first-year and continuing students. The online application must be completed in its entirety and submitted by this date. Late applications will not be accepted.

June 15, 2024

The College of Forestry online scholarship application process closes for transfer students. The online application must be completed in its entirety and submitted by this date. Late applications will not be accepted. 

  • Scholarship awards for first year and continuing students will be announced in April 2024. If you have not received an award offer, then you were not selected to recieve a College of Forestry scholarship at this time.
  • New Transfer student scholarship awards will be announced in late June/early July of 2024.
 
  • To apply for College of Forestry scholarships, you must be admitted to OSU for the 2024-25 academic year.
  • You will need your ONID username and password to complete the application. To obtain your ONID username and password, visit the ONID website.
  • Complete the general OSU application and the College of Forestry application. Log in to ScholarDollars to get started.
  • Although not a requirement, it is recommended that you complete the FAFSA. This will help determine your financial need. The 2024-25 FAFSA application is now open. Please see the "Important FAFSA updates" section below for information about changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA. (You can download the FAFSA app for your phone from the App Store or Google Play)
  • The College of Forestry 2024-25 scholarship application for new and continuing students is now open. Initial offers will be made in mid to late April 2024. If you have not received an offer email, than you were not selected to receive an award.
  • New transfer students have until June 15, 2024 to apply for College of Forestry scholarships in ScholarDollars. Offers for new transfer student will be made in July 2024.
  • The CoF makes awards throughout the year if funding is available. Therefore, if you remain eligible, your application will remain on file and will be considered for future funding if it becomes available.
  • Scholarship offers are made via ScholarDollar email notifications to your Oregon State email address. Please log in to ScholarDollars if your circumstances change to see if you are eligible to apply for new or additional awards.
  • If you are awarded a College of Forestry Scholarship, you will be asked to submit a Thank You letter to a living donor (or the CoF Scholarship Committee if there is not a living donor). A Thank You letter template is supplied for you to complete. Scholarships are made possible BECAUSE of our generous donors and you are encouraged to take time to submit a Thank You letter that reflects how the scholarship impacts you and what receiving it means for you and your education. If you need help writing a Thank You letter, you are encouraged to visit the writing center or stop by Student Services. 

 

Before you apply, be sure to note that:

  • You must submit a scholarship application each year that you wish to be considered for a scholarship (there are not "automatically renewing" scholarships, meaning if you are awarded a scholarship in one academic year, you are not guaranteed to receive a scholarship offer the following year).
  • ScholarDollars will match you with scholarships that you are eligible for. Note that some scholarships have specific criteria set by donors (degree program, class level, financial need, etc.) 
  • The application process requires you to write several short essays. It is advised that you write these essays in a text editor program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to check for grammar and spelling errors.
  • Complete each step in the application process to be sure your application is complete. Once your application has been submitted you cannot make changes.
  • First-year scholarships are very competitive as students have not yet proven success at the college or university level (especially in forestry coursework). Please apply again the next year as you may be surprised what a successful first year in your forestry studies can bring to you by way of scholarship funding from the College of Forestry.
  • Students who are not offered scholarships will remain in the pool for available scholarship funds as long as they maintain eligibility. Later offer awards are not guaranteed and are dependent on available funds.

If you have questions regarding the process or your eligibility, please direct them to (541) 737-1593 or email Student Services.

  •  Please describe your educational goals, and how you see your enrollment in the College of Forestry facilitating those accomplishments. Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

  •  Please describe any relevant activities and achievements you feel contribute to your success as a student and professional. How do these activities and achievements actively support your success? (Examples could be club and organization involvement; employment; volunteer work; honors or awards, etc.) Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

  • Please describe your current financial situation and how you plan to pay your educational costs in the upcoming year. If receiving a scholarship would lessen your need to earn outside income while you work toward the completion of your degree, please clearly address this in your response. You also may include information about any significant family or personal challenges or unusual circumstances that may affect your ability to pay for college. Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

  • Are you now, or have you ever been a resident of the following Oregon counties (drop down menu of Oregon counties)?

  • Are you a member of the Society of American Foresters (either the OSU Student Chapter or the regional or national organization)?

    • If you are member of the Society of American Foresters, please describe the positions/roles you have held and the activities in which you have been involved.

  • Have you ever worked as a wildland firefighter?

    • If you have worked as a wildland firefighter, please indicate which crew you worked on and/or what ranger station you were attached to. 

  • Does your family own any small woodlands?

    • If your family does own small woodlands, please enter the acreage and the current use of those woodlands. 

  • If your academic or career goals involve fire management (prevention, ecology, restoration, etc.), please describe your interest areas and goals related to fire and fire management. 

  • Are you an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

    • If you are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, with which branch did you serve? 

  • Are you the child or grandchild of a full-time or retired professional employee with the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, or the Oregon State Police?

    • If you are the child or grandchild of a full-time or retired professional employee with the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, or the Oregon State Police, what is the employee's relationship to you?

 

There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The redesigned and streamlined form will be available by December 31, 2023. Here are some highlights to help you navigate the changes:

  • The updated FAFSA form will expand eligility for federal student aid.
    • 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds will be eigible to receive Federal Pell Grants.
    • Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator for an early estimate on what your federal student aid could be after submitting the new FAFSA.
  • A streamlined user experience for students and their families.
    • Applicants might be able to skip as many as 26 FAFSA questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could only need to complete as few as 18 questions, taking less than 10 minutes!
  • Watch the 2024-25 FAFSA FAQ's for a better understanding of the changes!
  • Visit the OSU 2024-25 FAFSA Changes webpage