Chapter 348 — Chapter 348
199 sections in this chapter.
ORS 348.576 STEM Fund. (1) The STEM Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the STEM Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the STEM Fund are continuously appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the purpose of providing scholarships to students to encourage study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
0.4K chars
(2) The commission may accept grants, donations, contributions or gifts from any source for deposit in the STEM Fund. [2012 c.94 §3; 2013 c.747 §198] Note: 348.576 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 348 or any serie…
ORS 348.580 Privately funded student aid; agreements with community foundations. (1) Subject to the terms of the governing instruments and applicable law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may enter into agreements with one or more community foundations in Oregon to assume the management of the privately funded student aid programs of the commission. The commission may transfer to the community foundation any or all gifts or scholarship grants received by the commission from any private donor
1.1K chars
(2) All gifts or scholarship grant funds received by the commission that are not transferred to community foundations pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be placed in the hands of the State Treasurer, who is designated as the custodian thereof and who may hold, in th…
ORS 348.582 “Institution of higher education” defined for ORS 348.584 and 348.586. As used in ORS 348.584 and 348.586, “institution of higher education” means
0.6K chars
(1) A public university listed in ORS 352.002; (2) A community college as defined in ORS 341.005; (3) The Oregon Health and Science University; (4) A career school as defined in ORS 345.010; (5) A private post-secondary institution authorized to confer academic degrees under ORS …
ORS 348.584 Provision of information about affordability and value of institutions of higher education; rules. (1) Each year, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall identify the federal or national entity that best provides information about the affordability and value of institutions of higher education in Oregon
1.4K chars
(2) An institution of higher education that operates in this state shall, at the time of application, provide the institution’s students with: (a) A link to the page of the Internet website maintained by the entity identified in subsection (1) of this section that discusses the a…
ORS 348.586 Prohibited promotional activities for institutions of higher education. An institution of higher education that operates in this state may not
3.7K chars
(1) Promise or guarantee employment, or overstate the availability of jobs, upon completion of an educational program or degree from the institution. (2) Advertise inaccurately regarding length of time required to learn a trade or skill. (3) Omit from an advertisement, or from pr…
ORS 348.590 Continuous appropriation of funds relating to student aid. All funds for and relating to student aid programs received by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission pursuant to federal grant or from any other source, except moneys appropriated from the State Treasury for a specified period of time, hereby are continuously appropriated to the commission for the purposes for which such funds were provided and received by the commission. [Formerly 351.672; 1987 c.394 §7; 2011 c.637 §176; 2013 c.747 §120]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.592 Loan cancellation insurance. (1) The Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion may obtain loan cancellation insurance for any person holding a loan under this section and ORS 348.505 to 348.530 and 348.570
0.9K chars
(2) The insurance shall insure the life of the student who borrows under this section and ORS 348.505 to 348.530 and 348.570 for the amount of the principal and interest due on the loan and the State of Oregon shall be named as the beneficiary. If the borrower dies before repayin…
ORS 348.594 Definitions for ORS 348.594 to 348.615. As used in ORS 348.594 to 348.615
2.1K chars
(1)(a) “Diploma mill” means: (A) A school against which a court or public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, has issued a ruling or finding, after due process procedures, that the school has engaged in dishonest, fraudulent or deceptive practices related to the award of degrees, ac…
ORS 348.596 Purpose of ORS 348.594 to 348.615. It is the purpose of ORS 348.594 to 348.615 to provide for the protection of the citizens of Oregon and their post-secondary schools by ensuring the quality of higher education and preserving the integrity of an academic degree as a public credential. [1997 c.652 §9; 1999 c.59 §94]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.597 Applicability of ORS 348.594 to 348.615. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, ORS 348.594 to 348.615 apply to all schools that operate in this state
1.5K chars
(2) ORS 348.594 to 348.615 do not apply to: (a) A school, or a separately accredited campus of a school, if the school: (A) Is a nonprofit school that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (B) Prior to July 14, 2005, conferred deg…
ORS 348.599 [1997 c.652 §7; 1999 c.704 §15; repealed by 2011 c.637 §291a]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.600 [Formerly 351.675; repealed by 1977 c.725 §11]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.601 Degree Authorization Account. The Degree Authorization Account is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. All moneys received by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission under ORS 348.603, 348.606 and 348.609 shall be deposited into the account and are continuously appropriated to the commission to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the commission under ORS 348.594 to 348.615. [2003 c.674 §5; 2011 c.637 §179; 2023 c.557 §9]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.603 Duties of Higher Education Coordinating Commission relating to degree authorization and nondegree programs; fees; rules. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall
1.6K chars
(a) Authorize approved schools to offer academic degree programs; (b) Authorize approved degree-granting schools to offer nondegree programs leading to a certificate or diploma; (c) Validate claims of degree possession; (d) Terminate substandard or fraudulent degree activities; (…
ORS 348.604 Exemption from ORS 348.594 to 348.615. Upon application from a school, as defined in ORS 348.594, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall grant an exemption from ORS 348.594 to 348.615 to the school if the school
3.7K chars
(1) Is, or is operated by, a nonprofit corporation; (2) Offers only associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations, or, if the school also offers doctoral degrees, offers doctoral degrees in theology or religious occupations …
ORS 348.605 Restrictions and duties of exempted schools. (1) A school that obtains an exemption under ORS 348.604 or that, on July 14, 2005, met the criteria and followed procedures to obtain a religious exemption adopted by rule by the Oregon Student Access Commission and that offered only degrees leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations may not
2.4K chars
(a) Award more than 25 percent of the credit toward a degree for noninstructional activities, such as challenge examinations and professional or life experiences; (b) Represent that the school is: (A) Approved by the State of Oregon; or (B) Accredited by an organization unless th…
ORS 348.606 Prohibition on conferring or offering of degree before approval obtained; fees; rules. (1) A school may not confer or offer to confer any academic degree upon a person, or provide services purporting to lead to a degree in whole or in part, without first obtaining approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The commission shall adopt by rule standards and procedures for the approval of schools
2.1K chars
(2) A school based outside of Oregon may not offer any educational credit or degree within Oregon, including through the Internet, mail or telephone, without first obtaining approval from the commission. This subsection does not apply to schools operating as part of an interstate…
ORS 348.607 Fee for exemption application; prohibition on requirements for religious exemption; rules. (1)(a) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may by rule impose a fee on a school that applies for an exemption under ORS 348.604
0.5K chars
(b) The amount of the fee the commission may impose by rule under this section may not exceed the actual cost to the commission of determining the school’s compliance with the requirements for an exemption under ORS 348.604. (2) Except as provided in ORS 348.604 or 348.608 or sec…
ORS 348.608 Certification by exempt school; suspension or revocation of exemption; appeal. (1) Each year, on a date prescribed by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school that obtains an exemption under ORS 348.604 or a school that, on July 14, 2005, met the criteria and followed procedures to obtain a religious exemption adopted by rule by the Oregon Student Access Commission and that offered only degrees leading to occupations in theology or religious occupations, shall submit to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission a statement that reads: “(Name of School) hereby certifies that the school remains in compliance with all conditions for a religious exemption from ORS 348.594 to 348.615.”
3.4K chars
(2) A school that obtains an exemption under ORS 348.604 or a school that, on July 14, 2005, met the criteria and followed procedures to obtain a religious exemption adopted by rule by the Oregon Student Access Commission and that offered only degrees leading to occupations in th…
ORS 348.609 Representation of possession of academic degree; complaints; civil penalties; rules; fees. (1) A person may not claim or represent that the person possesses any academic degree unless the degree has been awarded to or conferred upon the person by a school that
3.7K chars
(a) Has accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education or the foreign equivalent of such accreditation; (b) Has been approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to offer and confer degrees in Oregon; (c) Is described in ORS 348.597; or (d) Is l…
ORS 348.610 [1967 c.430 §8; repealed by 1971 c.577 §3]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.611 [2009 c.328 §2; 2011 c.637 §187; repealed by 2013 c.288 §1]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.612 Probation or suspension or revocation of approval; rules; hearing. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may place a school, or a program within a school, on probation, or suspend or revoke any approval given to a school under ORS 348.606, for proper cause after a hearing
1.3K chars
(2) The commission shall by rule establish criteria for placing a school or program on probation or for suspending or revoking approval given to a school under ORS 348.606. (3)(a) If the commission places a school or program on probation, the commission shall establish conditions…
ORS 348.613 Bond or letter of credit requirement for schools approved to confer academic degree; student personal right of action for monetary loss. (1) A school approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to confer any academic degree under ORS 348.606 shall annually obtain a bond or letter of credit demonstrating that the school is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its commitments to students. A bond or letter of credit must be purchased and maintained by the school for the entire period that the school operates in this state
2.7K chars
(2)(a) A bond obtained pursuant to this section must be with a corporate surety licensed to do business in this state. (b) A letter of credit obtained under this section must be an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an insured institution as defined in ORS 706.008. (3) The co…
ORS 348.615 Appeal procedure. If the Higher Education Coordinating Commission refuses to grant approval to a school to confer degrees or revokes the approval to confer degrees, the refusal or revocation shall be subject to the right of review by an action brought in the circuit court of the county in which the school is located. Such review shall be tried as an action not triable by right to a jury. [1997 c.652 §14; 2011 c.637 §189]
0.0K chars
(Scholarship Program Tax Credit)
ORS 348.616 Minimum criteria for certification of employer program; rules. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall develop and adopt rules that provide the minimum criteria that an employer must meet in order for the employer’s scholarship program for employees and dependents to be certified as eligible for the employee and dependent scholarship program tax credit provided under ORS 348.621. The commission shall adopt rules to determine
1.2K chars
(a) The types of educational programs, institutions and expenses related to the programs and institutions for which scholarships may be offered to employees and dependents, and scholarship moneys expended on their behalf; (b) The types of employees and dependents to whom scholars…
ORS 348.618 Requirements for program certification application; acceptance and rejection of application. (1) An application for employee and dependent scholarship program certification shall be filed by the employer establishing the program. The application shall be filed with the Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion at least three months prior to the close of the first tax year for which a tax credit under ORS 315.237 will be claimed
2.1K chars
(2) The application shall be filed on a form prescribed by the director and shall contain the information required by the director, including: (a) The date on which the proposed employee and dependent scholarship program will first be available to the employer’s employees and the…
ORS 348.620 [1967 c.430 §9; 1971 c.577 §2; renumbered 348.592 in 1997]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.621 Requirements for tax credit certification application. (1) An application for tax credit certification shall be filed by an employer that has obtained program certification under ORS 348.618 or that has applied for program certification and is awaiting program certification by the Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion
2.2K chars
(2) The application for tax credit certification shall be filed by the employer with the director. The application shall be filed at the time prescribed by the director, but no later than October 1 of the calendar year in which begins the tax year for which a credit under ORS 315…
ORS 348.625 [1987 c.842 §2; 1989 c.131 §1; 1997 c.631 §464; 1999 c.59 §96; 1999 c.704 §16; 2011 c.637 §193; 2013 c.747 §127; 2017 c.66 §54; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.630 [1987 c.842 §3; 2011 c.637 §194; 2013 c.747 §128; 2017 c.66 §55; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.635 [1987 c.842 §4; 2011 c.637 §195; 2013 c.747 §129; 2017 c.66 §56; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.640 [1987 c.842 §5; 2011 c.637 §196; 2013 c.747 §130; 2017 c.66 §57; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.645 [1987 c.842 §7; repealed by 2007 c.426 §7]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.650 [1987 c.842 §6; repealed by 2007 c.426 §7]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.655 [1987 c.842 §8; 2011 c.637 §197; 2013 c.747 §131; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.660 [1987 c.842 §§9,10; 2011 c.637 §198; 2013 c.747 §132; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.665 [1987 c.842 §11; 2007 c.783 §143; 2011 c.637 §199; 2013 c.747 §133; 2015 c.513 §18; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.670 [1987 c.842 §12; 2011 c.637 §200; 2013 c.747 §134; 2017 c.66 §58; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.675 [1987 c.842 §13; 2011 c.637 §201; 2013 c.747 §135; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.680 [1987 c.842 §14; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.685 [1987 c.842 §15; 2011 c.637 §202; 2013 c.747 §136; 2015 c.513 §19; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.690 [1987 c.842 §16; 2011 c.637 §203; 2013 c.747 §137; 2015 c.513 §20; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.695 [1987 c.842 §17; repealed by 2019 c.384 §26]
0.0K chars
EDUCATION STABILITY FUND
ORS 348.696 Education Stability Fund; investment; earnings; transfer of excess earnings. (1) Pursuant to Article XV, section 4 (4)(d), of the Oregon Constitution, the Education Stability Fund is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. Moneys in the Education Stability Fund shall be invested as provided in ORS 293.701 to 293.790. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, all declared earnings on moneys in the fund, including declared earnings on moneys in the Oregon Growth Account, shall be transferred and are appropriated continuously as follows
1.1K chars
(a) 75 percent to the Oregon Education Fund established by ORS 348.716; and (b) 25 percent to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the Oregon Opportunity Grant program under ORS 348.260. (2) If the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services determine…
ORS 348.699 [1995 c.12 §6; repealed by 1997 c.524 §6]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.701 [1995 c.811 §5(5); 1997 c.323 §1; 1999 c.42 §3; 1999 c.54 §1; 2001 c.52 §1; 2001 c.922 §1; 2005 c.835 §25; 2007 c.172 §1; repealed by 2012 c.90 §10]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.702 Oregon Growth Account. (1) There is created within the Education Stability Fund the Oregon Growth Account, to which shall be credited, in the manner provided in subsection (2) of this section, 10 percent of the funds transferred under Article XV, section 4, of the Oregon Constitution, from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to the Education Stability Fund. Separate records shall be maintained for moneys in the Oregon Growth Account that are available for the purposes specified in subsection (5) of this section. The account may be credited with unrestricted appropriations, gifts, donations, grants or contract proceeds from any source, with investments or funds from any source and with returns on investments made from the account
2.0K chars
(2) The Oregon Department of Administrative Services may credit to the Oregon Growth Account from the first funds transferred in a fiscal year to the Education Stability Fund under Article XV, section 4, of the Oregon Constitution, an amount up to the amount the department estima…
ORS 348.703 [1995 c.811 §5(1) to (4); 1997 c.323 §5; 1999 c.42 §4; 2001 c.52 §2; 2001 c.922 §3; 2002 s.s.3 c.6 §5; 2003 c.606 §7; 2003 c.794 §258; 2007 c.172 §3; repealed by 2012 c.90 §10]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 348.704 [2001 c.922 §8; repealed by 2012 c.90 §10]
0.0K chars
[Repealed or reserved.]