The “Oregon Promise”: free school for 2016 and beyond

The “Oregon Promise,” also known as Oregon Senate Bill 81, is a recently passed law that would allocate an initial $10 million to cover tuition costs for Oregon students who attend state community colleges immediately after graduating from high school. Some of the nomenclature is confusing, so we compiled a list of frequently asked questions surrounding the bill.

Q: Who is eligible for the Oregon Promise?

A: Anyone who has lived in Oregon for at least a year, received a high school diploma or an equivalent degree and had at least a 2.5 GPA during high school, can be eligible if they enroll in a community college within six months of graduating, maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher while enrolled, and complete a FAFSA for each academic year.

The law comes into effect with the 2016-17 school year (next summer).

Q: How does the Oregon Promise interact with other grants?

A: The maximum grant possible is approximately $4,900. Grants are reduced by the amount of any other state or federal aid received by an eligible student, stopping at a minimum of $1,000 annual support for full-time students (pr-rated if taking fewer than 12 credit hours per term).

Q: How do I apply?

A: Trick question: You can’t, yet. The law says students will be asked to sign up online, but there is no website for the application process at the moment.