What is the cost?
Payment Assistance
The OSU Extension Oregon Naturalist program doesn't want cost to be a barrier to participation.
We want everyone to be able to participate. Please take advantage of our scholarship option, and if you have any questions, please reach out to us and let us know how we can support you.
The cost to become an Oregon Naturalist is currently $575. The price breakdown is:
Online Course
- Current Cost: $325 - The course fee is due upon registration or before the course begins. Learn about the OSU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) payment, refund and cancellation policies.
Ecoregion Courses
- Current Cost: $250 - Payment is generally due before the first day of the course. Scholarships are available.
Scholarships
For the Online Course
If you need assistance, please contact the Oregon Naturalist program to discuss options. We can work with our partner, PACE, to make our online course affordable for you. For those who can afford to pay, please help us support those who cannot.
For the Ecoregion Courses
- Awards are issued based upon financial need and a demonstrated intent to complete certification in the Oregon Naturalist program.
- When you register for the course, there is an option on the payment page to apply for a scholarship.
- The amount of the scholarship can vary by year. The current award is a 50% cost reduction. Your cost is $125 instead of $250.
If you have questions about scholarships, please contact us.
AmeriCorps funding
We now accept AmeriCorps funding to pay for the online course. AmeriCorps requires participants to be enrolled before they approve funding. These are the required steps:
- Complete your online course registration, including full payment
- Contact OSU's Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) and let them know: you intend to use AmeriCorps funds, the name of the online course you are registering in, and the amount of the funding you have requested. They will be happy to answer any other questions you have about this process.
- Contact AmeriCorps and submit a request for funds
If approved, around the first day of the course, we will receive a check for half of the cost, which we will reimburse you. Then, about halfway through the course, we will receive a second check for the remaining amount, which we will refund you.
If funding is not approved or you don't complete the course, OSU Professional & Continuing Education (PACE) will not process the refund(s) to the participant.