News: PSU to help students with Oregon Opportunity Grant

The University is assisting students most affected by the shortfall in the Oregon Opportunity Grant program. On a one-time basis, Portland State will use institutional resources to provide 75 percent of previously awarded funds to those whose grants were cancelled.

"Oregon Opportunity Grant funding is vital for Portland State students," said Phillip Rodgers, director of Financial Aid. "The shortfall in this program has disproportionately impacted PSU. PSU has 6,150 students receiving the Oregon Opportunity Grant, more than any other campus in the Oregon University System. Of those, 521 were affected by the complete cancellations."

This academic year, enrollment in the Oregon Opportunity Grant program nearly doubled, and students were awarded an additional $10 million, for a total of $14.1 million in grants at Portland State.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to deliver on the promises made to our neediest students," said Wim Wiewel, Portland State president. "This decision is a one-time fix and cannot be considered as a long-term solution to an underfunded statewide program."

The students most impacted by the program's shortfall are those who applied for new or transfer admission and applied for financial aid (including the Oregon Opportunity Grant) but had their awards cancelled because of lack of state funds.

Impacted students will be notified as soon as possible regarding the adjustment of their financial aid assistance.