(1) The Oregon Opportunity Grant program is established within the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.
(2) Under the program, the cost of education of a qualified student shall be shared by the student, the family of the student, the federal government and the state.
(3) The commission shall determine the cost of education of a qualified student based on the type of eligible post-secondary institution the student is attending. The cost of education equals:
(a) For a student attending a community college, the average cost of education of attending a community college in this state;
(b) For a student attending an institution under the direction of the State Board of Higher Education, the average cost of education of attending an institution under the direction of the board;
(c) For a student attending a two-year Oregon-based, generally accredited, not-for-profit institution of higher education, the average cost of education of attending a community college in this state; and
(d) For a student attending the Oregon Health and Science University or a four-year Oregon-based, generally accredited, not-for-profit institution of higher education, the average cost of education of attending an institution under the direction of the board.
(4)(a) The commission shall determine the amount of the student share. The student share shall be based on:
(A) The type of eligible post-secondary institution the student is attending;
(B) The number of hours of work that the commission determines may be reasonably expected from the student; and
(C) The amount of loans that the commission determines would constitute a manageable debt burden for the student.
(b) The student shall determine how to cover the student share through income from work, loans, savings and scholarships.
(c) The student share for a student who attends a community college may not exceed the amount that the commission determines a student may earn based on the number of hours of work reasonably expected from the student under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(d) The student share for a student who attends an eligible post-secondary institution that is not a community college may not exceed the sum of the amount that the commission determines a student may receive as loans plus the amount a student may earn based on the number of hours of work reasonably expected from the student under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(5) The commission shall determine the amount of the family share. The family share shall be based on the resources of the family.
(6) The commission shall determine the amount of the federal share based on how much the student or the student’s family is expected to receive from the federal government as grants, loans, tax credits or other student assistance.
(7)(a) The commission shall determine the amount of the state share. The state share shall be equal to the cost of education reduced by the student share, family share and amount received by the student from the federal government.
(b) The commission shall establish a minimum amount that a student may receive as a state share. If the commission determines that the amount of the state share of a student is below the minimum amount, the student may not receive the state share.
(c) In determining the amount of the state share, the commission shall consider the total amount available to award as grants to all qualified students. If the commission must reduce the amount of the state share under this paragraph, the commission may not reduce the amount of the state share awarded to students in the low income range in a greater proportion than the amount that the state share for students in other income ranges is reduced. [1971 c.735 §1; 1999 c.1070 §8; 2001 c.321 §8; 2007 c.802 §3]
Note: The amendments to 348.205 by section 3, chapter 802, Oregon Laws 2007, first apply to the 2008-2009 academic year. See section 7, chapter 802, Oregon Laws 2007 (second note under 348.180). The text that applies prior to the 2008-2009 academic year is set forth for the user’s convenience.
348.205. It is the intention of the Legislative Assembly to establish the Oregon Opportunity Grant program. Oregon Opportunity Grants awarded under this program shall be a uniform percentage of the student’s financial need as determined in ORS 348.260 (1)(b).
Note: Sections 8 and 9, chapter 802, Oregon Laws 2007, provide:
Sec. 8. (1) The Oregon Student Assistance Commission shall establish a Shared Responsibility Steering Committee to provide advice to the commission on the implementation of the changes to the Oregon Opportunity Grant program by the amendments to ORS 348.180, 348.183, 348.205 and 348.260 by sections 1 to 4 of this 2007 Act. The committee shall consist of 12 members appointed as follows:
(a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from among the members of the Senate.
(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from among the members of the House of Representatives.
(c) The commission shall appoint representatives of the following:
(A) Oregon Independent Colleges Association;
(B) Oregon Student Association;
(C) A financial aid professional who is employed by a state institution of higher education within the Oregon University System;
(D) A financial aid professional who is employed by a community college; and
(E) A financial aid professional who is employed by a private institution of higher education.
(d) The Governor shall appoint a representative of the Office of the Governor.
(e) The Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall appoint a representative of the Budget and Management Division.
(f) The Chancellor of the Oregon University System shall appoint a representative.
(g) The Commissioner for Community College Services shall appoint a representative of the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.
(h) The president of the Oregon Health and Science University shall appoint a representative of the university.
(2) The committee shall:
(a) Analyze the risks involved in implementing the amendments to ORS 348.180, 348.183, 348.205 and 348.260 by sections 1 to 4 of this 2007 Act;
(b) Make recommendations to the commission on strategies for prevention and mitigation of those risks;
(c) Make recommendations to the commission on the management of moneys available to be awarded as Oregon Opportunity Grants; and
(d) Review and make recommendations on the implementation methodology and timetable for:
(A) The system for awarding grants;
(B) The adoption of rules necessary for implementation of the changes; and
(C) Communication outreach about changes to the grant program.
(3) A majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(4) Official action by the committee requires the approval of a majority of the members of the committee.
(5) The committee shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.
(6) The term of office of each member is four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor whose term begins on July 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.
(7) The committee shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force.
(8) The committee may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.
(9) The commission shall provide staff support to the committee.
(10) Members of the committee who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for actual and necessary travel and other expenses from the commission.
(11) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, and the Oregon Health and Science University are directed to assist the committee in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the committee consider necessary to perform their duties. [2007 c.802 §8]
Sec. 9. Section 8 of this 2007 Act is repealed on January 2, 2012. [2007 c.802 §9]
Section: Previous 348.120 348.125 348.130 348.135 348.180 348.183 348.186 348.205 348.210 348.220 348.230 348.240 348.250 348.260 348.265 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008