Oregon Senate Passes New Model for Higher Education

The Bills authors say Shared Responsibility Model will allow more Oregonians to achieve a college education.

Photo: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Senate Wednesday passed Senate Bill 334, the Shared Responsibility Model for higher education.

The new model is an innovative approach to helping Oregonians attend college.

The outcome from the new model will be more Oregonians receiving access to higher education, including middle-income families.

“Simply put, this bill makes college affordable for every single person in Oregon that wants to go to college,” said Senator Kurt Schrader (D-Canby). “If a student is willing to accept some personal responsibility for their own education, Oregon will be there to guarantee affordable access.”

The Shared Responsibility Model uses a new structure that takes into account the student’s ability to pay, funding available from the federal government and family resources when determining aid available to pay for college.

If all of the available resources do not add up to enough to cover the cost, the state would fill the gap through the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

The Shared Responsibility Model would apply to Oregon students attending public or private not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Oregon.

“Access to college is critical for Oregon’s economic future,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland). “This model will help ensure future prosperity for citizens and the state overall.”

“I was proud to move this bill out of committee because of the exciting new opportunities we are providing our students,” said Senator Vicki Walker (D-Eugene). “We are sending a message to low and middle-income students that we will support their pursuit of a college education.”

The Shared Responsibility Model is part of the Senate Democratic Agenda to make sure no qualified student is priced out of an education. The model is funded in the Co-Chairs budget for the 2007-2009 biennium.

Senate Bill 334 now moves to the House for consideration