Home › Scholarships › ICSP Scholarships at University of Oregon USA
ICSP Scholarships at University of Oregon USA
University of Oregon, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Eugene, Oregon, USA · Partial Tuition Waiver (Need and Merit-Based)
Scholarship Info
- Provider University of Oregon, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Type Partial Tuition Waiver (Need and Merit-Based)
- Duration Annual — renewable until degree completion
- Renewable Yes
-
Coverage
- ✓ Partial tuition waiver (amount varies by financial need)
- ✓ Renewable annually until UO degree completion
- ✓ Public presentation training included
-
Deadline February 23, 2026
UO admissions application due 15 January 2026 — must be submitted before accessing the scholarship portal. Scholarship deadline: 13 February 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PST (5:45 a.m. NST on 14 February). Next cycle deadlines expected January–February 2027.
- Notification After February 13 deadline — timing varies
Overview
The International Cultural Service Program (ICSP) Scholarship at the University of Oregon is one of the most distinctive international scholarships available for study in the United States. Unlike merit-only awards, ICSP combines financial support with a cultural ambassador role — selected students receive a partial tuition waiver in exchange for completing 66 to 80 hours of cultural service per year, sharing their home country's heritage, traditions, and stories with American schools, community groups, and university audiences.
For Nepali students, the cultural service component is a genuine advantage rather than a burden. Nepal's unique geography, culture, festivals, trekking heritage, and historical significance generate strong interest among American audiences — Nepali ICSP scholars are well positioned to deliver engaging, memorable presentations that fulfil the service requirement while building public speaking and leadership skills.
The scholarship is renewable annually until degree completion, provided the student maintains the GPA requirement and fulfils their cultural service hours each year. The University of Oregon awards over one million dollars in international scholarship funding annually, with ICSP being the flagship programme.
The University of Oregon is a public research university located in Eugene, Oregon, ranked among the top public universities in the Pacific Northwest. It offers programmes in business, law, education, journalism, architecture, arts and sciences, and music.
Eligibility
- New or continuing international student at the University of Oregon — both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible
- Not a US citizen, US permanent resident, or eligible to receive US federal financial assistance
- Admissible or fully admitted to the University of Oregon — new students must apply for admission to UO for Fall 2026 by 15 January 2026
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (some sources indicate 3.5 for certain award tiers — confirm on the official ICSP page)
- Demonstrates financial need
- Commits to completing 66–80 hours of cultural service per year as required by the ICSP programme
- Strong communication and public presentation skills — cultural service involves speaking to schools, community organisations, and university groups
Cultural Service Requirement
ICSP scholars agree to complete 66–80 hours of cultural service per academic year. This includes giving presentations and demonstrations about Nepal's culture, heritage, geography, and traditions to school groups, community organisations, and university audiences in the Eugene-Springfield area and beyond. All scholars receive training in public presentation skills as part of the programme.
Who is Not Eligible
- US citizens and US permanent residents
- Students eligible for US federal financial assistance
- Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0
How to Apply
The ICSP application is completed entirely online through the University of Oregon's scholarship portal and must be preceded by a UO admissions application.
- Apply for admission to UO — submit your application to the University of Oregon for Fall 2026 entry by 15 January 2026. You must apply for admission before you can access the scholarship portal.
- Retrieve your UO Student ID — within three days of submitting your admissions application, your UO Student ID (beginning with 95) will appear in your Admissions Status Portal. You will need this number to create an account in the UO Scholarship Dashboard.
- Log in to the UO Scholarship Dashboard — create your account using your UO Student ID and complete the following in sequence:
- Profile section
- ISSS Endowed Scholarships Application
- ICSP Scholarship Application (this is one combined application for both)
- Submit reference letters — ensure your referees submit their letters through the portal before the deadline.
- Submit by the deadline — all applications and reference letters must be submitted by 13 February 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PST. No late submissions are accepted.
Note: PST (Pacific Standard Time) is 13 hours and 45 minutes behind Nepal Standard Time (NPT). Double-check the exact Nepal time equivalent before the deadline — 4:00 p.m. PST on 13 February 2026 is 5:45 a.m. NST on 14 February 2026.