International Student Retention Scholarship at Portland State University 2024

Portland State University (PSU) welcomes students from other countries to pursue higher education in Oregon. The presence of international students on the campus and in our city provides students and Portland residents with valuable exposure to the world’s cultural diversity. The International Student Retention Scholarship (ISRS), made possible through funding from the State of Oregon, offers partial tuition scholarships each year to several deserving students from countries throughout the world. 

Eligibility criteria for the International Student Retention Scholarship:

• Open to all International students of the University.
• Applicants who are co-enrolled at another USCIS-approved institution are eligible to receive the scholarship.
• Applicants must have clearly defined degree goals and be making satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree program.
• Applicants restricted to English as a second language (ESL) coursework are not eligible to receive the scholarship until they have met the English Language Proficiency Requirements
• Undergraduate students (at least sophomore standing) must have been enrolled and completed at least 3 terms at PSU. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA at Portland State University.
• Undergraduate transfer students (at least sophomore standing) must have been enrolled and completed at least 1 term at PSU. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA at Portland State University.
• Post-baccalaureate and graduate students must have been enrolled and completed at least 1 term at PSU. Graduate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA at Portland State University.

Value of the Scholarship:

Successful applicants will receive a scholarship amount is $1,500 per term, or the total amount of tuition, whichever is less, for a maximum of 6 consecutive terms. 

Notes:

• Awards are subject to continued funding availability and are not guaranteed.
• The scholarship is awarded in the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms only; awards are not given in the Summer term.
• Students who receive an International Cultural Service Program (ICSP) award or a Graduate/Teaching or Research Assistantship may not receive the International Student Retention Scholarship.
• Scholarship recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.75 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) or above.

Application: 

• Applicants need to fill out an online application
• Essay on these subjects, no more than two double-spaced pages.
• A brief history of yourself.
• Your objectives, both academic and professional, and how a PSU degree can help you achieve them.
• A documented declaration outlining your financial assistance and the reasons for your need for money. Kindly provide the annual income of your household in your statement. It is not required that you attach any bank statements. (A maximum of two pages, each double-spaced).
• Two recommendation letters or letters from academic advisers or teachers, both dated within the past six months.