College is expensive. Since we want you to graduate with more money for your future, PSU offers a full range of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs. Nearly two-thirds of our students receive financial aid, and the average student receives more than $11,000 per year.
6 tips to help you affordably earn your degree:
1. It all starts with FAFSA.
Sorry, you can’t skip this step. It’s important. All students must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid — so grab a cup of coffee and a donut and embrace the process! Submit the FAFSA by Feb. 1 for priority consideration for aid programs for the following academic year. We start awarding in the spring before the next academic year begins.
In addition to submitting the FAFSA and applying for scholarships graduate students can also apply for Graduate Assistantships through the Graduate School. And PSU also provides options for undocumented students to gain access to financial aid and other tuition resources.
2. Explore tuition programs
Did you know Portland State offers a variety of tuition assistance for eligible students? These include Four Years Free, Transfers Finish Free, Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and Out of State Opportunity Scholarship.
Graduate tuition programs inclue WICHE and Graduate Assistantships
3. Apply for scholarships
The PSU Scholarship Application is now open. To apply for all Portland State scholarships visit the PSU’s Scholarship Universe portal. Use Scholarship Universe to submit an application for the thousands of dollars in scholarships PSU will award for the 2022-2023 academic year.
4. Connect with a financial coach
Financial health is important, so get help! The Financial Wellness Center is designed to give all students tools and resources needed to empower them to make healthy financial decisions. Meet one-on-one with a financial wellness coach regarding your PSU student account, understanding the cost of college, creating a sustainable budget, repairing credit, or repaying student loans.
5. Take advantage of campus resources
The Free Food Market and Food Pantry are some of the programs PSU offers to help with other costs of living while going to college. Don’t miss our student discounts and deals post, which includes helpful information such as that the Portland Streetcar (that train thing that travels in front of the PSU Urban Building and Rec Center) is FREE with a PSU ID. And don’t miss this one about cheap and free things to do around Portland.
6. Find work — we’ll help!
You need work, we need employees! More than 2,000 PSU students have campus jobs and many more students work for local employers. Working while attending school can help you earn money to pay for school, get work experience, and build skills to help you in your career. Regular part time employment and federal work study options are available. And check out career services for students.
Finally, make sure to review the Current Student Finance Timeline to help will help you plan out your year and prepare for upcoming deadlines and important dates related to payments and financial aid. The Academic Calendar has more information about financial deadlines and detailed information about add/drop deadlines, grading deadlines, health insurance waiver deadlines, holidays and closures, registration dates and deadlines, religious observances, and term dates.
To get more information about paying for college, visit Portland State’s website.
