Visit the Oregon Student Aid website for more information and to create an account.
As Oregon’s K-12 student population becomes more ethnically and linguistically diverse, our educator workforce needs to better reflect the demographics of the students in our schools. The Oregon Legislature established the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program to address financial barriers that pose challenges for racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse candidates pursuing a teaching license.
For more information on this scholarship, including deadlines and eligibility, please visit the OSAC Scholarship Catalog and enter 772 into the search bar or email the scholarship team at osac@hecc.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Teacher Scholars Program now offers funding for candidates who are pursuing educator careers that identify as ethnically diverse or Heritage Speakers of a language other than English. The program serves undergraduate students who are in the final two years of a teaching program and graduate students enrolled in a TSPC-approved educator preparation program in Oregon. Recipients of a scholarship from the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program may be eligible for a second year of funding depending on funding availability.
Scholarships may be used for costs associated with pursuing a teaching degree and licensure, including tuition and “hidden costs” such as fees, materials, supplies, and living expenses, such as housing, transportation, or childcare. In addition to the scholarship, the program coordinator provides recipients with networking, paid admissions to professional development conferences, teaching resources, employment assistance, and other resources.
The Oregon Legislature and the Educator Advancement Council created the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program (OTSP) in 2017 to reduce financial barriers for racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse educator candidates pursuing an education degree at an in-state educator preparation program (ORS 348.295). In 2023, HB 3178 increased the scholarship award to $12,000 for each academic year, and scholars may receive funding for up to two years.
The program accepts applications via the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) website from November to March 1st for the following academic year. Applicants must complete either the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid Application) as part of their application to the scholarship on or before the March 1st deadline.