Oregon’s higher ed move: free community college
Oregon is the second state in the nation, joining Tennessee, to make community college education free.
This comes at a time when college education is only getting more expensive.
“I work two jobs and my mom helps me,” Central Oregon Community College student Nina Reese said Thursday.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost for undergraduate tuition between 2002-03 and 2012-13 rose by 39 percent.
“It’s super-stressful, because I have bills, too,” Reese said.
“Generally. we have a lot of students who need support,” said Matthew McCoy, vice president for administration at COCC.
Senate Bill 81 will make community college free of charge, but there are conditions.
To qualify, students need to apply for all available state and federal grants first. They have to have lived in Oregon at least for one year and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5. Students also need to enroll into community college within six months of graduating from high school.
“I think it’s great news for COCC,” McCoy said. “I also think it’s great news for students.”
The bill passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and now waits for Gov. Kate Brown’s signature.
“I really think this is an opportunity to move people from low-wage jobs to family-wage jobs,” said state Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend.
A total of $10 million has been slated for the measure from the state budget, and those in favor say it is well worth the cost.
“We’re going to pay for those students somehow,” Knopp said. “They’re either going to be getting jobs or be on public assistance.”
But $10 million might not be enough.
“It sounds like quite a lot of dollars, and it is, it truly is. But the impact for that amount of money won’t be widespread,” McCoy said. “We have 17 community colleges. and the total tuition far surpasses the $10 million.”
Nonetheless, the bill could be a life changer for many kids.
“That’s why a lot of kids from my class didn’t go,” Reese said. “Because they couldn’t afford it, and their parents couldn’t afford it.”
Gov. Brown has until Aug. 17 to make a decision on the bill.
