OSU's Paying for College Resources

The emergency loan is a $350 per term loan that must be paid off before you can take another. You borrow the $350 from yourself, as it is charged to your OSU bill. You are only allowed one per-term and can work for students who need some funding quickly.
Find more information on the Emergency Loan. Links to an external site.

• On-Campus Jobs: There are many students working on-campus, or virtual (Ecampus students) with or without Work Study. All student jobs must be posted in OSU’s HR website. Links to an external site. Links to an external site.
  • Here is some more information for Undocumented Students Links to an external site.
• General information for international students. Links to an external site.
  • Start your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Links to an external site. to be able to engage in off-campus work/internships during your first year.
  • Start your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Links to an external site.for worth authorization after graduation for 1 year; 2 year extension in some cases like STEM careers).
  • H-1B Sponsorship Links to an external site. for employment after graduation (up to 3 years).

There are many benefits of doing research and a lot of opportunities here at OSU. Learn more about Undergraduate Research at OSU. Links to an external site.

Graduate students, check in with your academic departments to find out what research opportunities exist. Consider a Graduate Research Assistantship or GRA Links to an external site..

Newly-admitted and continuing OSU students are eligible to apply for scholarships through OSU ScholarDollars Links to an external site.. Students must be admitted to OSU and have an active ONID account to be able to log into the system and submit an application. 

Submit your OSU ScholarDollars applications between November 1, and February 15 each year to maximize the number of scholarships for which you will be considered. Most OSU scholarships have application deadlines on or after February 15, but specific deadlines may vary. 

Additionally, you will find outside of OSU scholarships matched to you year-round!

• • National and Global Scholarships Advising Links to an external site. can help you find an apply for nationally and internationally competitive opportunities.
    

• Turn a hobby into a side hustle. Links to an external site.
• Find gig-work. Links to an external site. 
• Work seasonal jobs and save the money for the academic year. Links to an external site.
• Do bottle drop to get extra money. Links to an external site.
• Consider SNAP benefits for support with food. Links to an external site.

As an OSU student, you are paying for services and resources by paying your student fees! Make sure to maximize these resources first. Each year, for example, students vote on how they want their incidental fees to be spent. You will find the details for the  Links to an external site.current academic year Links to an external site.. You will see the larger categories such as: ASOSU, Athletics, Diversity and Cultural Engagement, Family Resource Center, Human Services Resource Center, Memorial Union, Orange Media Network, Performing Arts, Recreational Sports, and Student Leadership and Involvement. In ASOSU, for example, you are paying for Legal services, Saferide, and free transit services here in Corvallis. In addition, you will notice you are paying for counseling and health services through your student fees. Make sure to review the Student Health Services Links to an external site. and the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. websites to see what your fees are already paying for.

Students admitted to either the Corvallis or Cascades campuses have access to take online or Ecampus courses. The tuition and fees for online courses are less than non-resident tuition and fees, so taking some of your courses online can save you some money.

There are multiple sessions throughout the summer, some lasting a few weeks, some lasting as long as 11, with lengths of sessions in between. Not only is this a great option to take some credits during the summer to lighten the pressure during the regular terms, or maybe to play catch up; the summer session charges the same in-person tuition as Oregon residents. So, a non-resident taking in-person summer courses can save some money! Check out more information here. Links to an external site.

• Find free meals on OSU’s Campus: @EatFreeOSU; 
• Lower your meal plan; 
• Basic Needs Center  Links to an external site.(BNC) Links to an external site. has a food pantry, food assistance, SNAP assistance, and more; 
• Make Cents Links to an external site. program (balanced meals for low cost on-campus); and 
• 211.org Links to an external site.

• • Basic Needs Center (BNC) Textbook Lending Program Links to an external site.
    *Allows eligible students the opportunity to check out required textbooks at no cost for the entire academic term-starts the first week of class and operates on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Rent through bookstore or Amazon
  • Buy used online or in the OSU bookstore
  • Trade or share between friends
  • Some classes you might not need the text
    • Ask professor about how they use the text? Do they have an extra? Can I use the older edition (more affordable)?
  • Check to see if your textbook is in the Library’s Course Reserves
    Links to an external site.*Can only check out 3 hours at a time
  • Find online and print
  • Check out book at local or OSU library (audio book, ebook, etc.)
  • Laptop Loan Program Links to an external site. through OSU Library
  • Equipment Loan Program Links to an external site. through OSU Library
  • Service Desk

• If on-campus, consider an economy triple option Links to an external site.; 
• If you are in Corvallis with dependents, consider the Family Housing Links to an external site. option (near campus, usually more affordable than other apartments) 
• Links to an external site.Basic Needs Center (BNC) Links to an external site. has housing security resources; 
• 211.org Links to an external site.

• All information Links to an external site.
  • All transit options (bus) Links to an external site.
  • Beaver Bus Links to an external site.

• • Walk, skateboard, and/or bike 
  • University Motor Pool Links to an external site. 
  • Airport Shuttles
  • Van Pool/Car Pool Links to an external site. Links to an external site.
  • Biking Links to an external site.

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Links to an external site.
• Student Health Services Links to an external site. 
• All wellness and health resources at OSU Links to an external site. 

ASOSU Student Legal Services Links to an external site. provides free, confidential assistance to all OSU students at the Corvallis campus on a variety of legal matters. This office provides legal advice and representation to OSU students when they have a dispute that does not pertain to the university.