Oregon Opportunity Grant
The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon's largest state-funded need-based grant program for students planning to go to college. Opportunity Grants are funded primarily by the state of Oregon. More than 56,000 students received OOG awards in the 2009-11 biennium.
Oregon students apply for the Opportunity Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is also the application for most federal student aid programs. Students should complete a FAFSA each year to ensure access to both federal programs and to the grants and scholarships that OSAC administers.
Deadline for 2012-13: February 1, 2012 (midnight Central Standard Time)
Opportunity Grants are awarded first-come, first-served, according to application date until funds are depleted. We encourage all applicants to submit their FAFSAs as close to January 1st as possible to be considered for a grant. However, simply filing a FAFSA by the deadline does not guarantee an applicant will receive an award.
TIP: Students can submit a FAFSA even if they have not yet filed a tax return.
Students can submit a FAFSA now using their best estimate of last year's income.
After filing a tax return, students can go online and update income or tax information
manually or import tax return data directly from the IRS.
Award Amounts for 2012-13: $1950.
A fixed award amount of $1950 is available for attendance at any eligible Oregon-based postsecondary institution. Students' financial need must be at or above $1950 to be eligible.
Award Amounts for 2011-12: up to $1800 for Oregon community colleges; up to $1950 for 4-year public or Oregon-based private colleges or universities.
Award amounts vary, based on student's financial resources and other aid, with a minimum award of $400.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be an Oregon resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Members of Native American tribes with traditional ties to Oregon may be considered Oregon residents.
- Be an undergraduate student with no prior baccalaurate degrees.
- Be enrolled at least half time (i.e., at least 6 credit-hours) at a participating Oregon-based postsecondary institution.
- Have financial need, based on the difference between cost of attendance, federal aid, and financial resources of the student and student's family, if applicable.
- Have no defaults on federal student loans and owe no refunds on federal student grants.
- Not be incarcerated.
Other Information
OSAC awards Opportunity Grants according to a formula that includes the following:
- Average cost of attendance at an Oregon community college or an institution in the Oregon University System
- Student share ($5500 at a community college; $8500 at a public or private nonprofit 4-year institution)
- Family share (expected family contribution)
- Federal share (Federal Pell Grants and/or assumed tax credits)
Students may receive an Opportunity Grant for up to four years (12 quarters or 8 semesters) of full-time enrollment, providing they maintain satisfactory academic progress and file a new FAFSA each year. Awards are prorated for half-time enrollment. Students enrolled in courses of study leading to degrees in theology, divinity, or religious education are not eligible.