Transforming Oregon's economy requires better access to higher education for more Oregonians. The jobs of today and tomorrow need people who have attained at least some post-secondary education. If Oregon can't provide a workforce for those good jobs, the state cannot hope to achieve a full, prolonged economic recovery.
Governor John Kitzhaber

Student in class

The Need for Scholarships

With spiraling college tuition costs, financial aid dollars decreasing, and increasing loan debt, today's students are faced with higher hurdles in pursuing their studies.

Increasing Student Loan Debt

  • The majority (60%) of Oregon students in 4-year institutions are graduating in debt, averaging almost $22,500 needed to pay back their college costs. That is the 22nd highest debt rate in the nation, according to the Project on Student Debt.

Increasing Tuition Costs

  • Over the decade from 2000-01 to 2010-11, average published tuition and fees at public four-year colleges rose 72% after adjusting for inflation. Private four-year colleges reported a 35% increase and public two-year colleges reported a 31% increase in tuition costs, according to the College Board Advocacy and Policy Center.

Cuts to Education

  • Oregon's financial aid to low-income students is low. For every dollar in Pell Grant aid to students, the state spends 24 cents.
  • The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education recently gave Oregon an "F" on its report card for college affordability, citing that poor and working-class families must devote 44% of their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at two-year colleges.

How You Can Help

There are two ways to give to a deserving student:

  1. Establish a new scholarship fund on your own, with family, friends, your company, organization, association, or family foundation.
  2. Contribute to an existing scholarship fund

Whichever way you choose to give to scholarship funding, the choice for placing your scholarship with OSAC is an important decision.

Your gift is generally deductible as a charitable contribution, but you are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor.

The federal identification number of the Oregon Student Access Commission is 93-6015581.