Title 30, Education and Culture

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that: (a) The State of Oregon can achieve its full economic and social potential only if all Oregonians have the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of their capabilities and only when financial barriers to their educational goals are r…

A student who receives a modified diploma or extended diploma under ORS 329.451 may not be denied eligibility for financial aid to obtain post-secondary education in a public university listed in ORS 352.002, community college or independent not-for-profit institution of higher e…

As used in this section and ORS 348.017: (1) “Account” means an account that is managed or operated by a third party financial firm and that is opened to facilitate the financial aid refund disbursement process. (2) “Financial aid funds” means financial aid funds under Title IV, …

(1) When contracting with third party financial firms for disbursement and management services of financial aid funds, or for management of financial accounts, the governing board or governing entity of a public or private post-secondary institution of education that enrolls one …

(1) As used in this section, “institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 348.582. (2) Each institution of higher education shall provide the following information to each student enrolled at the institution for whom the institution receives federal ed…

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Educational institution” means any post-secondary educational institution that is approved or accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or its successor, by its regional equivalent or by the appropriate official, departm…

As used in this section and ORS 348.205, 348.250, 348.260 and 348.263: (1) “Cost of education” includes but is not limited to, tuition, fees and living expenses. (2) “Eligible post-secondary institution” means: (a) A public university listed in ORS 352.002; (b) A community colleg…

The Legislative Assembly recognizes: (1) That an investment in educational opportunities for all Oregonians is an investment in a strong and stable economy and greater personal opportunities; (2) That the single largest barrier to attending an institution of higher education is l…

(1) The Oregon Tribal Student Grant program is established within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. (2)(a) The commission shall award an initial grant under the Oregon Tribal Student Grant program established under subsection (1) of this section to offset the cost of …

(1) The Oregon Opportunity Grant program is established within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. (2) Under the program, the commission shall award grants to qualified students for the purpose of assisting those students with the cost of education as determined under s…

(1) Grants established under ORS 348.260 shall be awarded by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission in the manner provided in this section. (2) Persons interested in obtaining a grant established under ORS 348.260 may apply to the commission for a grant. (3) The commission …

(1) In addition to any other form of student financial aid authorized by law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may award Oregon Opportunity Grants to qualified students. (2) The amount of a grant shall equal the amount of a grant as determined by the commission under …

(1) In addition to any other form of student financial aid authorized by law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may award moneys from the Oregon Opportunity Grant program to qualified students to reward student persistence and encourage completion of degree programs at…

(1) The Opportunity Grant Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Opportunity Grant Fund shall be credited to the fund. (2) Moneys in the Opportunity Grant Fund shall consist of: (a) Amounts donated to the fun…

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may hire or contract with a marketer to market the tax credits described in ORS 315.643 to taxpayers. [2018 c.108 §5] Note: See note under 348.266.

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Community college” means a community college operated under ORS chapter 341. (b) “Good standing” means the qualified student has a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher at Oregon Health and Science University or the community college, p…

(1) In addition to any other scholarships provided by law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall award scholarships to any qualified student who is a child of a public safety officer who has suffered a qualifying death or disability. (2) A student who wishes to recei…

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Former foster child” has the meaning given that term in ORS 350.300. (b) “Institution of higher education” means a public university listed in ORS 352.002, the Oregon Health and Science University, a community college operated under ORS chapter 3…

(1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall: (a) Determine which students are eligible to receive scholarships under ORS 348.270 and 348.272. (b) Grant the appropriate scholarships under ORS 348.270 and 348.272. (c) Make necessary rules for application and distribution…

The Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion shall apply the interest on the amount transferred to the Oregon Student Assistance Fund under section 4, chapter 377, Oregon Laws 1985, to provide financial aid, as defined in ORS 348.505, to students to study barbering…

(1) In addition to any other form of student financial aid authorized by law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may award scholarships to teacher candidates who have experience with diverse populations to use at approved educator preparation providers, as defined in OR…

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Designated service site” means a rural health clinic as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(2), a rural critical access hospital as defined in ORS 442.470, a federally qualified health center as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2) or any geographic area,…

(1) The Department of Education shall establish a program to increase the number of licensed speech-language pathologists and certified speech-language pathology assistants employed in the education service districts and school districts of this state. (2) Through the program, th…

(1) The Speech-Language Pathologist Training Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Speech-Language Pathologist Training Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to…

As used in ORS 348.444 and 348.448: (1) “Nurse” means any person who is licensed under ORS 678.010 to 678.415 as a registered nurse. (2) “Qualifying loan” means any loan made to a nursing student under: (a) Programs under Title IV, parts B, D and E, of the Higher Education Act of…

(1) There is created the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program, to be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The purpose of the program is to provide loan repayments on behalf of nurse educators at nursing schools in Oregon who have earned a master’s or do…

(1) To be eligible to participate in the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program, a nurse educator or prospective nurse educator shall submit a letter of interest to the Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion. (2) At the end of each school year in which a nurse pr…

The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that: (1) It is the policy of this state to encourage cooperation between public universities listed in ORS 352.002 and community colleges on issues affecting students who transfer between the two segments; and (2) All unnecessary obsta…

(1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may establish Access to Student Assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone (ASPIRE) to provide information about financial aid, education, training and career pathway options beyond high school to students in Oregon schools and colle…

As used in ORS 348.500 to 348.621, “financial aid” includes loans, grants, scholarships, work opportunities and other forms of financial aid to assist students in completing their post-high-school education. [1967 c.430 §2; 1997 c.652 §33; 1999 c.704 §14; 2007 c.426 §1; 2011 c.63…

(1) The Office of Student Access and Completion is established and shall operate under the direction and control of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. (2) The executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall appoint the Director of the Office of…

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall: (1) Make available to qualified persons financial aid from financial sources available to the commission. (2) Determine qualifications of persons to receive financial aid. (3) Maintain reports and records on persons applying for…

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may: (1) Negotiate for and contract with private and governmental agencies for the establishment of financial aid programs. (2) Receive gifts of any type, including gifts of stock and real property, for the purpose of establishing, con…

Subject to any applicable provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may employ and fix the compensation of any employees it deems necessary for the effective conduct of the work under its charge. The commission may also arrange …

For the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS 181A.195, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may require the fingerprints of a person who is, or will be, working or providing services in a position: (1) In which the person has direct…

(1)(a) There is established in the State Treasury a fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund, to be known as the Oregon Student Assistance Fund. Interest earned by the fund shall be credited to the fund. (b) The fund shall consist of moneys appropriated to the Higher Edu…

(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 purpo…

(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 commissio…

As used in ORS 348.584 and 348.586, “institution of higher education” means: (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 privat…

(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. (2) An institution of higher education that operates in this s…

An institution of higher education that operates in this state may not: (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 requir…

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 …

(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. (2) The insurance shall insure the life of the student who borrows under this section an…

As used in ORS 348.594 to 348.615: (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 …

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 §9…

(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. (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…

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 com…

(1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall: (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) …

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: (1) Is, or is operated by, a nonprofit corporation; (2) Offers only associate, bachelor’s or m…

(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…