Southern Oregon University: Office of International Programs (OIP): Scholarships

International Programs

Scholarships for International Students

You may apply for these scholarships if you are:

- a current SOU international student studying for a undergraduate or graduate degree

- a prospective international student who plans to attend SOU in coming academic year

- applications are due every March 1st

Awards are made in April for the upcoming academic year, beginning the following September. Scholarship funds cannot be used during the summer term.

International Cultural Service Program (ICSP)

This scholarship provides approximately 20 international students with grants of about $9,000 per academic year ($3,000 per term) toward tuition at SOU. Partial grants are sometimes awarded. Once accepted to the program, students who perform satisfactorily are normally able to continue with ICSP support until they complete their program at SOU. A unique feature of this grant is "cultural service." Students participating in the program devote some 3 hours per week (80 hours per academic year) to volunteer service, usually consisting of making presentations abut their countries and cultures in local schools. These presentations may include slide shows, cultural demonstrations, cooking, speaking on current affairs or issues, and even teaching or tutoring a foreign language. Participants sometime also address adult organizations and service clubs, or assist local businesses in translation of business materials. They also assist SOU's Office of International Programs.

International Student Scholarship (ISS)

This scholarship provides approximately 7 international students with grants of about $6,900 per academic year ($2,300 per term) toward tuition at SOU. Partial grants are sometimes awarded. ISS grants do not carry any cultural service requirement. ISS grants are awarded for a single academic year at a time, with no automatic right of renewal. Those wishing to have support for a second year must re-apply and be considered anew each year with all other applicants

Selection Criteria

Both programs are competitive. We consider a full range of criteria, including academic excellence as demonstrated by grades and other achievement (minimum GPA is 2.75 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate students), the student's own written application, and letters of recommendation. Demonstration of financial need is also taken into consideration. For ICSP grants, those selected must also have excellent and clear spoken English and the ability to represent their country effectively in public. For both programs, we also strive to achieve some geographical balance in participation.

Application Process and Deadline

Application forms are available each year near the end of Fall term. Completed applications and all supporting materials must be received by the Office of International Programs at Southern Oregon University no later than March 1st for programs starting in September, when SOU's academic year begins.

For application criteria and a complete list of materials needed, please click here.
For a fillable application, please click here.
For further information, please contact:

ICSP/ISS Student Coordinator
Office of International Programs
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, Oregon 97520 USA
tel. (541) 552-6336

email: intprogs@sou.edu
fax (541) 552-8195

Student's Budget

Shown here is a typical international student budget for the 9-month academic year (fall, winter and spring quarters) at Southern Oregon University. For up-to-date figures on current estimated costs of attending SOU in 2008-09, please click here.

Approximate Costs For 9-Month Academic Year*

Budget WITH ICSP Scholarship

Tuition and Fees (undergrad)	$16,400	Tuition ($16,400 minus $9,000)	$7,400
Room and Board (residence halls)	$8,000	Room and Board	$8,000
Books/supplies	$1,400	Books/supplies	$1,400
Health Insurance (Mandatory)	$600	Health Insurance	$600
Misc. personal expenses	$2,600	Misc. personal expenses	$2,600
		TOTAL COSTS WITH ICSP:	$20,000
		Less On-Campus Earnings (if student works 20 hrs/week on campus)	-$5,148
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS: (per 9 month academic year)	$29,000	TOTAL CASH NEEDED NOTE -- "Total Cash Needed" is the amount of funding which must come from student SAVINGS or from FAMILY resources.	$14,852
* This is an estimate -- student expenses will vary depending on living situation and personal expenses. Earnings estimate may vary depending on hours worked per week in campus job and rate of pay.