by University Communications
February 9th 2025
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The most affordable public research university in Oregon added a new scholarship to its suite of free and reduced tuition programs this week. The new scholarship is designed to put a college degree in reach for students whose families make less than $100,000 but who don’t qualify for Federal Pell Grants.
The PSU Park Blocks Scholarship is a $5,100 annual merit-based scholarship for first-time, first-year students that is renewable for four years. It can be combined with other available scholarships, and is designed to make tuition as affordable as possible for students who might otherwise find college out of reach.
More than half of Oregon households, 58%, have annual incomes below $100,000. The Park Blocks Scholarship is designed for households in that range that don’t qualify for the PSU Tuition-Free Degree Program.
“University tuition is a heavy burden for many families. Portland State University is dedicated to making college accessible for all Oregon learners because we know that college students are poised to benefit once they earn their degree — college graduates make $1.2 million more over the course of their lifetime than they would with a high school degree,” said PSU President Ann Cudd.
The Park Blocks Scholarship will be automatically awarded to all qualified students with a 3.2 or better GPA who complete the FAFSA financial aid application. It can be combined with the Rose City Scholarship of up to $2,400 per year, which is also available to students whose family income exceeds $100,000, to further offset the cost of tuition.
“We’re excited to offer this new scholarship because it reduces the need for students to take on debt to get their degree,” said PSU’s Vice President for Enrollment Management Chuck Knepfle. “PSU already graduates students with some of the lowest debt rates in the state. Last year, 54% of students who started at PSU as first-year students graduated debt-free. We anticipate that percentage will continue to grow in future years as we continue to find new ways to make college affordable.”
For more information about the PSU Park Blocks Scholarship visit: pdx.edu/student-finance/psu-park-blocks-scholarship.