Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Sharon Boring (503) 338-2412
Oregon Opportunity Grant Sees 125% Increase in Funding
Students in Oregon who need financial assistance to attend college received
good news this week. After intensive lobbying by students and local community
members, community colleges and four-year institutions, the Oregon legislature
recently approved a 125% increase in funding for the Oregon Opportunity
Grant. Now more students will be eligible for funding than ever before.
The new legislation is set to go into effect on July 1, 2008, although
the Oregon Student Assistance Commission has already begun implementing
parts of it.
The passage of this legislation not only increases the number of students
eligible for aid—it will also increase the average grant size, fund
half-time students (6 credits or more) and help lower the amounts students
need to borrow in student loans. It will also extend grant aid to many
middle-income families currently not eligible.
Sharon Boring, CCC’s director of financial aid, is pleased with the
funding increase because of the positive impact it will have on students
attending or planning to attend Clatsop Community College.
“Allowing the grant to go to part time students is great for the large
number of students who attend CCC part time.” Boring said.
The Oregon Opportunity Grant, the state’s largest state-funded need-based
program for students planning to go to college. More than 24,000 students
in Oregon received awards in 2005. The funding increase will be phased
in over the next two years, substantially increasing the average grant
size by nearly $900 in 2008-09 to $2,103. It will also increase the number
of students served to an estimated 42,000 students.
Part-time students became eligible for the Oregon Opportunity Grant with
the 2006-07 school year, and no application cut-off dates were implemented
for that year. These changes are expected to continue for the 2007-08 year
until legislation becomes effective. Grant amounts also increased slightly
for the 2006-07 school year and will increase again for the 2007-08 school
year. Along with this additional state support comes a commitment on the
part of the student and student’s family to share in the cost of
education.
It’s not too late to apply for financial aid for the 2007-08 school
year. If you are interested in applying for an Oregon Opportunity Grant
to attend Clatsop Community College, please contact Sharon Boring at (503)
338-2412.
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