Diversity Excellence Scholarship

The Diversity Excellence Scholarship (DES) recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who, through sharing their varied cultural perspectives, will enhance the education of all UO students and the excellence of the University. The University of Oregon offers these tuition-remission scholarships as part of our diversity mission.

Award Information

Annual award amounts range from $6,500-$7500 for undergraduate students (annual award is split evenly over fall, winter, and spring terms). The scholarship is renewable with the length of eligibility based on the recipient's grade level at the time of awarding. The DES is a tuition remission scholarship. It cannot be combined with some tuition-remission programs such as the Presidential Scholarship and may be reduced if used with UO staff/staff family rates or other tuition remission scholarships.

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must apply for admission to the University of Oregon OR be a currently enrolled University of Oregon student in good standing.
  • Establish financial need as defined by federal and state guidelines.
  • Meet the DES minimum GPA requirements. All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater to be considered.
  • Meet the DES application deadlines.
  • Only domestic students are eligible to receive the Diversity Excellence Scholarship.

How to Apply

Deadlines and processes differ by student status and grade level. Follow proper steps outlined below.

Incoming students (students not currently attending the UO)

First-year student applicants:
  • Apply for admission to the University of Oregon by January 15.
  • Within days of applying for admission, you can find your UO Student ID number in your Status Portal. You'll need this number to create an account to apply for UO Scholarships. 
  • Complete the online Diversity Excellence Scholarship application within the UO Scholarship Dashboard by January 31.
  • Have a school official, teacher, member of a community organization, or employer submit your online letter of reference via the Scholarship Dashboard by January 31.
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor no later than January 31. List the UO as one of your choices. The UO school code is 003223.
    • Note: Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA may submit an Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), which is an alternative to the FAFSA. File the ORSAA by January 31 to meet the scholarship application deadline.
  • Submit all required admission application materials to the Office of Admissions by February 15.
Transfer student applicants:
  • Apply for admission to the University of Oregon by March 15.
  • Within days of applying for admission, you can find your UO Student ID number in your Status Portal. You'll need this number to create an account to apply for UO Scholarships. 
  • Complete the online Diversity Excellence Scholarship application within the UO Scholarship Dashboard by April 1.
  • Have an instructor or professor, member of a community organization, or employer submit your online letter of reference via the Scholarship Dashboard by April 1.
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor no later than March 1. List the UO as one of your choices. The UO school code is 003223.
    • Note: Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA may submit an Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), which is an alternative to the FAFSA. File the ORSAA by March 1 to meet the scholarship application deadline.
  • Submit all academic transcripts to the Office of Admissions by April 1.

Continuing UO students

Undergraduate students already attending the University of Oregon:
  • Complete the online Diversity Excellence Scholarship application within the UO Scholarship Dashboard by February 28.
  • Have an instructor or professor, member of a community organization, or employer submit your online letter of reference via the Scholarship Dashboard by February 28.
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor no later than March 1. List the UO as one of your choices. The UO school code is 003223.
    • Note: Dreamer students including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as well as other undocumented students who are ineligible to submit a FAFSA may submit an Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), which is an alternative to the FAFSA. File the ORSAA by March 1 to meet the scholarship application deadline.

Selection Criteria

Scholarship recipients are selected by the Diversity Excellence Scholarship selection committee based on the following:

  • Past academic performance
  • Participation in campus or community activities
  • Individual's ability to contribute to diversity
  • Preference given to students with financial need as defined by federal and state guidelines
  • Preference given to first generation of the family to attend college
  • Preference given to Oregon residents

Scholarship Renewal

To maintain scholarship eligibility, you must:

Award Notification

First-year student recipients will be notified by April 1. Continuing undergraduate recipients will be notified by June 1. Transfer recipients will be notified by June 15.

Note: This award cannot be combined with some tuition-remission programs such as University of Oregon staff tuition rates.

Complete terms and conditions can be found here.