Oregon Opportunity Grant

1. Submit the FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible after the application opens each year.  No other application is required.

2. Watch for emails from the U.S. Department of Education and/or OSAC. Correct any FAFSA or ORSAA errors immediately.

3. If awarded, you will receive an email from OOGAward@hecc.oregon.gov.

4. Review your award email, and both "Who is eligible" information below and the "FAQ" page for next steps and more details.

5. Complete all requirements with your college financial aid office and enroll at least half-time (6 credits) before term begins to ensure eligibility for disbursement. 

To be eligible for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to college attendance and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • For dependent students, your parent(s) must also live in Oregon
  • Out-of-state students who are members of Native American tribes with traditional ties to Oregon may be considered Oregon residents.
  • Undocumented students, including DACA students, may be eligible for an Oregon Opportunity Grant if they meet additional requirements. Learn more about financial aid for undocumented and DACA students.
• Undergraduate student with no prior baccalaureate degrees.
• Be enrolled at least half time (i.e. 6+ credit-hours) at a participating Oregon-based postsecondary institution.
  
  • For 2024-25, Fall Term is required to receive OOG during the year. OSAC may waive the Fall Term requirement if budget allows.
• Have financial need based on the difference between cost of attendance and student's financial resources including federal aid and student's estimated family contribution.
• Have no federal student loans in default and not owe refunds on federal student grants. 
• Continuing students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), as defined by their college.
• Complete any other requirements or requests from your college.
• Submit a FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible after October 1 each year:
  • OSAC authorizes Opportunity Grant awards only for eligible applicants who have an error-free FAFSA or ORSAA submitted by the cutoff date. Errors on a FAFSA or ORSAA should be corrected as soon as possible to maintain grant eligibility. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.
  • Any updates or changes made to a FAFSA or ORSAA may affect Oregon Opportunity Grant eligibility and/or award amount.
  • For 2024-25, FAFSA/ORSAA records with Professional Judgements from the college financial aid office will be allowed for consideration of eligibility. 

Note: First time students must complete the application process for admission to at least one eligible Oregon public or private nonprofit college/university in addition to submitting a FAFSA or ORSAA. 

Conditions of the Award
Oregon Opportunity Grants are available to qualified students for up to four years (12 quarters or 8 semesters) of full-time enrollment, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress, continue to meet eligibility and award requirements, and file a new FAFSA or ORSAA 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.

Oregon Opportunity Grants are awarded first to students with the greatest financial need, based on their Student Aid Index (SAI). Award amounts are subject to change each year. OSAC begins awarding in the spring and continues to make awards until funds are exhausted. Because available funds vary year to year, OSAC cannot forecast what the maximum SAI limit will be or when funds will be exhausted.

For 2024-25, the award amount is based on the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI), the type of school they attend, and how many credits they enroll each term. The chart below is the maximum award amount for each SAI level and is based on full time and full-year enrollment (i.e. 12 credits or more each term, for all three quarters or two semesters).

SAI Limit
The current SAI limit for the 2024-25 academic year is $8,000.

Cut-Off Date
The current FAFSA or ORSAA submit date for the 2024-25 academic year is August 1, 2024. This is not the final cutoff date. As OSAC awards more students, the cut-off date may be extended until funds are depleted. 

A portion of the award is released to a student’s account each semester or quarter. Awards are pro-rated for part-time or part-year enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half time during a quarter or semester to receive OOG funds for that term.

NOTE: Even if you received the Oregon Opportunity Grant in prior years and submitted your FAFSA/ORSAA early, you may not receive a grant if your SAI is above the SAI limit for the year.

Once authorized for an award, OSAC notifies the college financial aid office and sends an email to eligible students. OSAC sends the Oregon Opportunity Grant award to the college financial aid office near the start of each academic term. If students enroll at least half time and complete all requirements with their college, the college will put the money in their campus account near the start of the term. For specifics of how/when the funds are put into the campus account, please contact the college financial office.

Last Updated August 2024

Eligible students who submitted their 2024-25 FAFSA or ORSAA and meet the criteria above have been authorized for an award.

Awarding for the upcoming (2024-25) academic year has begun. Be sure to submit your 2024-25 FAFSA or ORSAA and list at least one eligible Oregon college to be considered. Oregon Opportunity Grant is first-come, first-served for eligible students - submit your FAFSA/ORSAA as soon as possible.

Students who are authorized for an award for the 2024-25 academic year will be sent an email from Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOGAward@hecc.oregon.gov) roughly 1 week after being authorized. Awarding will continue for the few months after initial awards begin until funds are exhausted, and the cutoff date may be extended. Submit your 2024-25 FAFSA or ORSAA ASAP to be considered.

NOTE: If you are selected for FAFSA verification, be sure to respond to your school’s requests for data and documents right away. Your school cannot award any financial aid until the verification process is complete. 

Any updates or changes made to your FAFSA or ORSAA may affect your Oregon Opportunity Grant eligibility and/or award amount.