Paying for College
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Program Details
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The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) (formerly called the State Need Grant) is Oregon’s largest state-funded need-based grant program for students planning to go to college. The program was established in 1971 by the Oregon Legislature to assist Oregon’s neediest students in attaining a postsecondary education.
Opportunity Grants are funded primarily by the state of Oregon and may also include grant money from two federal programs: the Federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Federal Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP). More than 38,000 students received OOG awards in 2008-09. |
How to Apply for the Oregon Opportunity Grant:
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Oregon students apply for the Opportunity Grant by completing the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is also the application for most federal student aid programs.
All high school and postsecondary students should complete a FAFSA each year to ensure their access both to federal programs (e.g., Federal Pell Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans) and to the grants and scholarships that OSAC administers.
This link goes to the U.S. Department of Education's free online FAFSA website:
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http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
Use the Award Estimator below to find out about
possible Opportunity Grant award amounts. |
Important Announcement: Oregon Opportunity Grant Adjusted for Spring 2009 Term
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A combination of lower than projected state General Fund and lottery revenues and an increase in projected demand by more than 4,000 eligible students in 2008-09 has required the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) to make minimal adjustments to the state's need-based Oregon Opportunity Grant program (OOG), the OSAC Board announced today. The net effect is a reduction of $80 for full-time 2- and 4-year students and $40 for part-time students for spring term 2009. Click here for more
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Oregon Opportunity Grant Award Estimator:
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The Oregon Legislature approved a major expansion of the Oregon Opportunity Grant Program that more than doubles the money available for state-funded grants to Oregon students in 2008-09. This means more money for more students!
The Estimator for 2009-10 awards is coming soon. However, actual awards of Oregon Opportunity Grants for the 2009-10 academic year cannot be finalized until after the Oregon Legislature appropriates funding.
To apply for a 2009-10 Oregon Opportunity Grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Click here to go to the Oregon Opportunity Grant Award Estimator. |
Eligibility
- Be an undergraduate student enrolled at least half time (i.e., at least 6 credit-hours) at a participating Oregon institution
- Be financially needy (based on household size and family income and assets; income eligibility information can be found on the OSAC website)
- Be an Oregon resident and U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (members of Native American tribes with traditional ties to Oregon may be considered residents. Click www.getcollegefunds.com/tribal_residency.html. for more information)
- Meet eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant
For more information, check these links:
Domestic Partnerships in Oregon
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In February 2008, domestic partnerships officially became recognized by the State of Oregon. Registered domestic partners are same-sex couples who have filed an official Declaration of Domestic Partnership with a county clerk in Oregon. The Oregon Family Fairness Act of 2007 requires all rights and privileges extended to members of a married family also be recognized for domestic partnerships. The Act extends new rights, benefits and obligations to individuals in officially registered Oregon Domestic Partnerships.
In relation to student financial assistance for postsecondary education, however, the provisions of the Act apply only to state-funded student financial aid programs only, not to federal aid programs. The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) will administer the Oregon Opportunity Grant program in a manner that ensures students who are in official Domestic Partnerships are treated the same as married students in determining their eligibility for a grant. In addition, a student whose parent is in a Registered Domestic Partnerships will be treated the same as a student with married parents.
If you or your parent(s) are in a Registered Domestic Partnership at the time you file your 2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and you are eligible for an Oregon Opportunity Grant, you should complete the 2008-09 Oregon Opportunity Grant Domestic Partnership Reporting Form to ensure compliance under this act. OSAC will use the information provided to determine your new award amount and will automatically contact the student's financial aid office to update award packages.
Forms:
2008-09 Oregon Opportunity Grant Domestic Partnership Reporting Form
Domestic Partnership Reporting Information (available soon)
Dissolution of Domestic Partnership Notification (available soon)
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