Oregon State University
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO Program designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. SSS provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. SSS's goal is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and help students make the transition from one level of higher education to the next.

The Oregon University System Supplemental Tuition Waiver (SCW)program provides limited tuition funds to full-time resident freshmen and sophomores. Eligibility is limited to students with high financial need. The Diversity Achievement Award is a competitive award offered to entering undergraduate freshman and transfer students aimed at building upon the diversity and educational goals of the university. Evaluation of award application and financial need are also factored into selection process. Generally, OSU's model is a Shared Responsibility Model which was adopted in 2009. The Shared Responsibility Model ensures that students that receive/qualify Pell Grants from the Federal Government will not pay any money to attend OSU. The Shared Responsibility Model works such that the state will offer some grant money to those that receive Pell grants and then OSU will pay the difference of the amount left after the Pell and OOP (Oregon Opportunity Grants) have been paid out. OSU also works closely with the OSU Foundation and the Benton County Foundation to make sure there is need based scholarship money available for students. Additionally each department within OSU has their own scholarship programs with a mixture of academic and need based scholarships and grant programs. OSU's Degree Partnership Program is also a unique program that allows for students to dual enroll with OSU and another institution. OSU's program is one of the most expansive in the nation and has agreements with all community colleges in Oregon and has now expanded to other states including Hawaii. These programs allow for students to receive OSU credit by taking classes at a community college, paying community college prices.

The Oregon University System Supplemental Tuition Waiver (SCW)program provides limited tuition funds to full-time resident freshmen and sophomores. Eligibility is limited to students with high financial need. The Diversity Achievement Award is a competitive award offered to entering undergraduate freshman and transfer students aimed at building upon the diversity and educational goals of the university. Evaluation of award application and financial need are also factored into selection process. Generally, OSU's model is a Shared Responsibility Model which was adopted in 2009. The Shared Responsibility Model ensures that students that receive/qualify Pell Grants from the Federal Government will not pay any money to attend OSU. The Shared Responsibility Model works such that the state will offer some grant money to those that receive Pell grants and then OSU will pay the difference of the amount left after the Pell and OOP (Oregon Opportunity Grants) have been paid out. OSU also works closely with the OSU Foundation and the Benton County Foundation to make sure there is need based scholarship money available for students. Additionally each department within OSU has their own scholarship programs with a mixture of academic and need based scholarships and grant programs. OSU's Degree Partnership Program is also a unique program that allows for students to dual enroll with OSU and another institution. OSU's program is one of the most expansive in the nation and has agreements with all community colleges in Oregon and has now expanded to other states including Hawaii. These programs allow for students to receive OSU credit by taking classes at a community college, paying community college prices.

OSU has a website dedicated to navigating the sometimes complicated world of financial aid. This site puts in plain language different OSU programs offered to lower-income prospective students and parents. http://oregonstate.edu/financialaid/financial-aid-programs

OSU has an outreach program through their Financial Aid office and will go to high schools throughout the state to talk to them about how higher education can be affordable even though it may seem out of reach. This program is coupled with an admissions program that helps students understand the admissions process and is targeted not only for the traditional student but also the first generation and low income students that may not have a parent that can guide them through the process. The Student Support Services office is also a key player in this process as they are able to provide academic counseling, tutoring, and cultural enrichment opportunities for students who qualify for the program. In addition, financial assistance is available to students who meet certain additional criteria.

OSU has many different policies and programs for financial aid, several of which are discussed above. There are also a number of less traditional programs including the Human Services Resource Center which provides emergency housing services, a food pantry, health insurance subsidies, food subsidies, student parents child care subsidies and much more. OSU's Bridge to Success Program is a new financial aid initiative that in its first school year, 2008-09, will allow more than 10 percent of the Oregonian students who attend OSU to do so free of charge. The program, which is the largest of its kind yet announced in Oregon, covers all tuition and fee costs for more than 3,000 in-state students. Additional funds will cover books and supplies for half of those students. The awards are based on financial need and students' ability to show satisfactory progress toward completion of degrees, including taking 15 credits each term.