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. To ensure affordability, we have implemented a sliding scale fee structure. If you can't afford the base price, you can choose the price that best fits your ability to pay from a list of options. If you can afford to pay more than the base price and wish to help subsidize those who can't afford the base price, please consider doing so. And, of course, you can simply pay the base price.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us and let us know how we can support you.

If you have any questions about our fee structure, please let us know

The full cost to become an Oregon Naturalist is currently $675. 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. Reduced fee options are available on a case-by-case basis.

Ecoregion Courses

Current Cost: $350 - Payment is generally due before the first day of the course. We offer a sliding scale fee structure so you can choose a lower or higher price depending on your ability to pay. See the paragraph at the top of this page for details.

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.