Unique Finish in Four support expands access, flexibility and pathways to graduation
The path to a college degree often includes times of uncertainty. Balancing coursework with jobs, caring for family and navigating a rising cost of living can make staying enrolled feel unstable and, in some cases, impossible.
Thanks to the generosity of the Austin Family Foundation and Loni Austin Parrish, ’81, and Scott Parrish, ’81, current and future Oregon State University students from Yamhill County will have additional support to help them adjust when life changes so they can continue their education.
Together, these new gifts under the Finish in Four initiative will expand opportunities through renewable scholarships as well as flexible retention and completion grants for Yamhill County students at OSU. While the funding serves different purposes, the shared goal is to remove financial barriers that can stand between students and graduation.
Support from day one and along the way
The Austin Family Foundation Endowed Finish in Four Scholarship will provide four-year scholarships, awarded with acceptance, for high-need students from Yamhill County. As long as the students stay on track to graduate, the scholarship is renewable each year.
For many students and their families, knowing that support will continue year after year can be transformative – allowing them to focus more fully on learning and growth, both in and out of the classroom. Renewable scholarships reduce uncertainty and help families plan, particularly for first-generation students navigating higher education for the first time.
“Our family cares very deeply about our community and Yamhill County students,” says Jessica Wolfer, ’10, president of the Austin Family Foundation board and an OSU Foundation trustee. “We hope these scholarships can alleviate some of the stress caused by the cost of education and help students achieve their goals.”
A complementary gift to the OSU Foundation from Scott and Loni Parrish – also part of the Austin family – focuses on helping Yamhill County students persist when unexpected challenges arise. Retention and completion grants will be available to students in the College of Business and the College of Engineering, providing timely assistance for those facing short-term financial obstacles that could otherwise delay or derail their progress.
Meeting students where they are
This gift acknowledges that students do not all move through college at the same pace. Life happens. Majors change. Medical emergencies and sudden financial needs can take anyone by surprise. When those times come, flexible support can make the difference between stopping out and staying enrolled.
“Our goal is to meet students where they are – giving them the freedom to make academic decisions without so much financial pressure and have support to complete their degree,” says Scott Parrish, retired president and CEO of the Austin family’s Newberg-based business, A-dec.
Both endowments will grow over time, increasing the impact on students, their families and Yamhill County.
“The Austin Family Foundation and Loni and Scott Parrish share a belief in the power of education to strengthen communities,” says Shawn L. Scoville, OSU Foundation president and CEO. “They are expanding opportunity for students from their community to have access to a degree from OSU. This is an investment in the future of Yamhill County, the state and beyond, and we’re very grateful.”
You can help Oregon students with financial need graduate on time. Join the Austin and Parrish families and make a gift to Finish in Four.