For Eastside students
Grown here.
Going places.
Scholarships for students who went to school on Portland’s Eastside — funded by neighbors, one small monthly gift at a time.
How it works
Neighbors give monthly
Small recurring gifts add up to steady, predictable scholarship funding.
Students apply
Graduating seniors and alumni of Eastside schools send one short application between January 15 and March 31.
Scholars head out
Awards from $500 to $2,500, based mostly on financial need, go toward college, trade school or training.
Who can apply
If you went to school on Portland’s Eastside, this is for you. We keep the application short on purpose.
- Attended a public, private or charter high school on Portland’s Eastside
- Enrolling in college, trade school or a training program
- Financial need is our biggest consideration. There’s no minimum GPA.
Give a little, every month.
Monthly gifts let us promise students a scholarship before the year begins. Pick an amount — change or cancel anytime.
Why we started
Small, local, and personal.
We’re a small group of local parents who got together to give back to the community that has given our own kids so much. Every one of us is an Eastside parent: our children have all grown up and gone to school here.
We run the foundation ourselves, so every dollar is tracked closely and every scholar gets a real handshake.
— The parents of the Stumptown Scholarship Foundation
For students
Apply for a Stumptown scholarship
If you went to school on Portland’s Eastside and you’re heading to college, trade school or a training program, we want to help you get there. The application is short, and every one is read by a person.
- Awards
- $500 – $2,500
- Applications due
- March 31
- Decisions by
- April 30
- Scholarships this year
- 3 awards
Who can apply
You’re eligible if all of these are true. Not sure? Email us before you rule yourself out.
- You attended a public, private or charter high school on Portland’s Eastside
- You’re a graduating senior, or you graduated within the last 2 years
- You’ll be enrolled in an accredited college, community college, trade school or apprenticeship program by the fall term after you apply
- That’s it. There’s no minimum GPA, and you don’t need a certain income to apply. We give extra weight to students with the greatest financial need.
What you’ll need
Most students finish in under an hour. You can gather these first, then fill out the form in one sitting.
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The application form
Your contact information, the school you attended, and where you plan to enroll.
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A short essay
Up to 500 words answering: “Tell us about a place in your neighborhood that shaped you, and where you’re headed next.”
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A little about your finances
A few short questions about your family’s situation and whether you’ve filed the FAFSA or ORSAA. You don’t need tax documents.
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Your transcript
An unofficial copy is fine. A screenshot or PDF from your school portal works.
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Optional
One recommendation
A short note from a teacher, counselor, coach or employer who knows you. They can email it to us directly at info@stumptownscholarshipfoundation.org.
Scholarship timeline
Our calendar is built around senior year, so you’ll know about your award before you have to commit to a school.
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January 15
Applications open
The form goes live here, and we let counselors at Eastside schools know.
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March 31
Applications due
Submit by 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Recommendations are due the same day.
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April 1–20
Review and conversations
Our parent group reads every application. Finalists are invited to a relaxed 20-minute conversation.
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April 30
Decisions sent
Every applicant hears from us by email, before the usual May 1 college decision deadline.
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May – June
Celebration
We present awards at senior awards nights or a neighborhood get-together with families.
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Summer
Award delivered
Once you confirm enrollment, we’ll get your award to you in time for fall term.
How the award works
Scholarships help with tuition, fees, books or program costs. Once you’re selected, we’ll walk you through how and when your award will be delivered.
Award amounts vary from $500 to $2,500. Financial need is the biggest factor in who is selected and how much each scholar receives, alongside your essay and the rest of your application.
Awards are for one year. Past recipients are welcome to reapply the following year.
Common questions
Don’t see yours? Email info@stumptownscholarshipfoundation.org.
I moved away from the Eastside. Can I still apply?
Yes. What matters is that you went to school on the Eastside, not where you live now.
Does trade school or an apprenticeship count?
Yes. Any accredited college, community college, trade school or registered apprenticeship program qualifies.
Do I need a high GPA?
No. There’s no minimum GPA. Financial need matters most to us, and your essay matters more than your grades.
Can I get this scholarship along with other aid?
Yes. Our award can be combined with federal aid and other scholarships. Let your school’s financial aid office know about it, since schools sometimes adjust aid packages when outside scholarships come in.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. If you aren’t selected, you’re welcome to apply again next year as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.
How do you decide who gets an award, and how much?
We emphasize financial need. Students with the greatest need are given priority and generally receive larger awards, up to $2,500. We also look at your essay and your plans after high school.
Do I have to share my family’s income?
No tax forms or exact figures are required. We ask a few simple questions, and if you’ve filed the FAFSA or ORSAA, your Student Aid Index (SAI) helps us understand your need. Everything you share is kept private and seen only by our review group.
Who reads the applications?
Our group of Eastside parents reads every application together.
Ready to apply?
Applications are due March 31. Questions? info@stumptownscholarshipfoundation.org
Scholarship application
This takes most students under an hour. Applications are due March 31. Fields marked optional can be skipped; everything else is required.
Donors & sponsors
The neighbors who make it happen
Every scholarship we award is funded by people and businesses on the Eastside. Thank you. This page is for you.
Scholarship sponsors
Each funds a named scholarship for a student with financial need.
- Your logo hereOpen sponsorshipSponsor a named scholarship
- Your logo hereOpen sponsorshipSponsor a named scholarship
- Your logo hereOpen sponsorshipSponsor a named scholarship
Community partners
Local businesses supporting Eastside students.
- Your logo hereBecome a partner
- Your logo hereBecome a partner
- Your logo hereBecome a partner
- Your logo hereBecome a partner
Monthly donors
Neighbors giving a little every month.
Our founding monthly donors will be listed here, with their permission. Become one of the first.
Become a sponsor
Local businesses and families can sponsor at any level. Every sponsorship goes straight to scholarships for students who grew up here.
Scholarship sponsor
Fund a full scholarship in your name or in honor of someone.
- A scholarship named for your business or family
- Logo at the top of this page
- Invitation to present the award to your scholar
Community partner
Help fund this year’s scholarships as a local business.
- Logo on this page
- Thank-you in our annual update
- Window decal for your shop
Monthly donor
Neighbors giving what works for them, every month.
- Your name on this page, if you’d like
- Yearly update on the scholars you helped
Let’s talk sponsorship
Email us at info@stumptownscholarshipfoundation.org and one of our parents will get back to you.
Application received
Thank you for applying. Watch your email for next steps. We’ll be in touch by April 30. If you asked someone for a recommendation, remind them to send it to info@stumptownscholarshipfoundation.org before March 31.