Current Recipients

Once students are authorized for the Oregon Promise Grant, an award notification is sent to all the Oregon community colleges listed on the FAFSA/ORSAA. The college then applies the money to the student account close to the start of term, if they are deemed financial aid eligible by the college. Any changes to the FAFSA/ORSAA may affect your grant eligibility or award amount.

FOR CURRENT OREGON PROMISE RECIPIENTS, WHAT IS THE AWARD RENEWAL PROCESS EACH YEAR?

Current Oregon Promise recipients must submit a valid FAFSA or ORSAA each year of college by JUNE 1. You must list your Oregon community college to renew the award. No additional application is required.

Some students may be selected to verify information on their FAFSA. If a student has been selected for FAFSA verification and they have questions, they should contact their college’s financial aid office. Students must complete verification before they can receive any financial aid, including Oregon Promise.

HOW DO CURRENT RECIPIENTS REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR OREGON PROMISE?

• Submit the FAFSA or ORSAA by June 1 each year, and list your Oregon community college.
• Comply with any other requirements or requests from the community college, related to the award.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), as determined by the community college.
• Maintain at least half-time continuous enrollment (i.e. 6 or more credits) during fall, winter, and spring terms each year.
• Accept all state and federal grant aid offered through the community college financial aid office.
• Have attempted or completed no more than 90 credits.
• Be an Oregon resident.
• Attend community college each fall term during renewal years.

HOW LONG CAN I RECEIVE OREGON PROMISE?

Eligible can receive Oregon Promise until you have attempted a total of 90 credits. There is no limit to the number of the years or terms you can receive the grant; it is based on the 90 credit limit. Watch this quick video for more information. All of the following types of credits count toward the 90 credit limit:

• College credits you take while in high school or as part of a high school completion program
• College credits you take during summer term*
• College credits you take at another college or university while dual-enrolled at a community college
• College credits for courses you withdraw from or fail
• Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits earned
• Any other college credits you attempt or complete prior to and during your time as an Oregon Promise recipient

*Oregon Promise does not pay for summer courses.

WHAT IF I TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY COLLEGES?

You can transfer and still use your Oregon Promise award at another community college in Oregon. When you are preparing to transfer, update your current FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible, and list the new community college. It is also a good idea to contact your new community college's financial aid office to ensure that they have your Oregon Promise award information.

WHAT IF A STUDENT DOES NOT LIST AN OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON THE FAFSA or ORSAA?

This is a required part of the application process and must be included for consideration for Oregon Promise. OSAC relies on the college school codes listed on the FAFSA and the ORSAA to identify which students plan to attend community college. Students must list their Oregon community college prior to term starting.

In order to receive an Oregon Promise award, the student must list the community college where they plan to attend. This can be updated on the FAFSA or ORSAA. Students can have up to 10 colleges listed on their FAFSA or ORSAA. If a student does not list an Oregon community college by the time term begins, they will be ineligible for Oregon Promise.

CAN PART-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OREGON PROMISE?

Yes. To receive the grant, you must attend a community college at least half-time (6 credits or more per term). 

WHAT IF I TAKE LESS THAN 6 CREDITS OR SKIP A TERM?

If you take less than 6 credits or skip your first Oregon Promise term (typically fall term), then your Oregon Promise is cancelled and you cannot reapply.

If you attend fall term and receive the grant, then you can take less than 6 credits or skip winter term and still receive funds in spring term (if you take 6 credits). However, you would not be eligible for a renewal grant in future academic years, since you skipped a required term (winter).

You must take 6 or more credits each term (fall, winter, spring) in order to maintain your renewal eligibility. OSAC can only make exceptions due to emergency circumstances, military training, active duty, etc. Contact your college financial aid office prior to or immediately after stopping classes for more details.

ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE DUAL ENROLLED IN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY ELIGIBLE FOR THE OREGON PROMISE?

Yes, you can be dual enrolled or in a Degree Partnership Program (DPP) and receive Oregon Promise. Please work closely with both colleges to ensure that you meet the following requirements:

• Establish a dual enrollment agreement between the two schools.
• Have the community college listed as your home college for financial aid purposes.
• Attempt at least 6 credits at the community college each term.

Oregon Promise will only pay for the credits you take at an Oregon community college. However, credits completed at both colleges will count toward the 90 credit limit allowed by Oregon Promise.

If you are dual enrolled between multiple community colleges in Oregon, make sure that a dual enrollment agreement is in place. You may be able to receive Oregon Promise funds to cover credits taken at both community colleges. Contact OSAC or your financial aid office for assistance.

DOES OREGON PROMISE PAY FOR SUMMER CLASSES?

No, Oregon Promise funds are not available during summer quarter. The Oregon Promise Grant is available to students during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Students may take summer classes if they choose. Even though Oregon Promise does not pay for summer courses, any credits that a student takes in the summer will count toward the 90 credit limit. Watch this video for more information on all the types of college credits that count toward the 90 credit limit.

WHICH COURSES OR PROGRAMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OREGON PROMISE?

To receive Oregon Promise funds, you must be enrolled in courses at an Oregon community college that are part of one of the following:

• An associate degree; or
• A program in career and technical education (CTE); or
• A one-year curriculum for students who plan to transfer to another postsecondary institution of education.