Last Updated July 2019

OSAC has awarded eligible students for the 2019-20 year who meet the following criteria:

OSAC may or may not award additional students who submitted the FAFSA or ORSAA after May 1, 2019, depending on funds available. Students should check their email regularly for an award notification.

If you initially submitted the 2019-20 FAFSA or ORSAA prior to the date above and then made updates or corrections to it, OSAC may reconsider your eligibility for the grant.

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

File the FAFSA or ORSAA

1. Fill out the FAFSA (or ORSAA) as soon as possible after the October 1 each year.
2. Watch for emails from the U.S. Department of Education and OSAC, and correct any FAFSA (or ORSAA) errors immediately.

Submit the FAFSA (or ORSAA) as soon as possible after October 1 each year in order to be considered for the grant during the following academic year. OSAC authorizes Opportunity Grant awards until funds are exhausted for the year. Funds are limited, so OSAC cannot forecast when funds will run out or set a firm application deadline. OSAC recommends that students apply as soon as possible to have the best chance to receive funding. 

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

• Oregon resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. 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 certain 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., at least 6 credit-hours) at a participating Oregon-based postsecondary institution. Students must be enrolled at least half time fall term to receive an OOG award. Students who are awarded a grant but delay enrollment until winter or spring may lose their eligibility for the year. Students who cannot attend fall term due to circumstances beyond their control should talk to the Financial Aid Office at their school. 
• Have financial need, based on the difference between cost of attendance, federal aid, and financial resources of the student and the student's family, if applicable.
• Have no defaults on federal student loans and owe no refunds on federal student grants.

Note: If you are a first-time student, be sure you complete the application process for admission to at least one Oregon public or private nonprofit college/university and apply for financial aid.

Any changes to the FAFSA or ORSAA may affect your Oregon Opportunity Grant eligibility.

Learn more about the eligibility details for OOG.

Check your email - OSAC notifies students via email if they have been awarded an Oregon Opportunity Grant, starting in mid-April. In addition, OSAC notifies all eligible Oregon colleges and  universities listed on your FAFSA or ORSAA that you have an Oregon Opportunity Grant award. They will include this information in your Financial Aid Award Letter. 

Oregon Opportunity Grants are awarded first to students with the greatest financial need, based on their Expected Family Contribution. Learn more about how the award is calculated.

For 2019-20, the maximum award amount is $2,700 at an Oregon community colleges and $3,300 at an Oregon public university or an Oregon-based private nonprofit 4-year college or university. The current EFC limit for eligible students is $3,500. Students must be enrolled full-time, full-year (i.e., 12 credits or more per each term) to receive a maximum award. 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.   

If you are a first-time OOG recipient this year, you may be eligible for a guaranteed renewal of the grant for next year.  To maintain your eligibility for a second year, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• File your FAFSA or ORSAA for the next school year by May 1. 
• Continue to meet all eligibility criteria for both this year and next year.
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, as determined by your college.
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 or more credits) every term during the current academic year – i.e., be enrolled fall and spring semesters or fall, winter, and spring quarters.

Students who do not meet all eligibility criteria for the Guaranteed 2nd-year Renewal may still be considered for the grant, along with new and other continuing applicants.