Relating to waiver of tuition for certain qualified students; and prescribing an effective date.

More tuition help for Oregon military families

The law expands tuition waivers at Oregon public universities and Oregon Health and Science University. Students must be Oregon residents for tuition purposes and admitted to a bachelor's or master's program when they apply. Eligible students include children, spouses, and unremarried surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty, died from a service-connected disability, or have a 100% service-connected disability certified by the VA or a military branch. Children of Purple Heart recipients also qualify when the award was received in 2001 or later and discharge was honorable or under honorable conditions. Children include adopted children and stepchildren. The child application age limit rises from 23 to 31. Older children can get a master's waiver after receiving a bachelor's waiver they applied for at age 31 or younger. Alternatively, they must apply within 12 months after earning a bachelor's degree and prove eligibility for federal Chapter 35 education benefits. Students can receive waivers for both degrees; a master's waiver does not require a prior bachelor's waiver. Coverage is limited to available courses offered by the institution and credits needed to graduate, up to four years of full-time bachelor's credits or two years of full-time master's credits. Federal aid, scholarships, grants, Oregon Opportunity Grants, and other school aid can reduce the waiver, but Chapter 35 payments cannot. The law takes effect on the 91st day after the 2025 regular legislative session adjourns.