OAR 575-039-0020: Student Eligibility for Oregon Promise Grant

(1) Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in an Oregon community college, unless such student is foster child (2) Have attained the highest level of education in this state prior to receiving a high school diploma under ORS 329.451, or earned a General Educational Development (GED) certificate at an Oregon testing center under ORS 350.175, or completed grade 12 while home schooled in Oregon under ORS 339.035, unless such student is a foster child; (3)(a) Have earned a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0 or its equivalent or better; (b) The Commission will determine if a student who does not earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in high school may otherwise demonstrate an equivalent academic ability. In making such a determination, the Commission may rely on such documentation as required by the Commission that indicates but not for actions taken by a school district responsive to state declarations of emergency or executive orders issued by the Governor during the period of March 13, 2020 through June 30, 2020 the student would have otherwise met the grade point average requirement. (4) Meet one of the following three criteria: (a) Within 6 months of high school (or equivalent GED or homeschool) completion date, enroll in approved courses at an Oregon community college; or (b) If the student completes high school (or equivalent GED or homeschool) on or after January 1, 2020 while they are in custody or incarceration at a correctional facility, they must enroll in approved courses at an Oregon community college within 6 months of the date of first release from a correctional facility. (c) A student who is a foster child and for whom the completion of a high school diploma or credential substantially similar to those listed in OAR 575-039-0020, as determined by the commission, occurred while such foster child was placed in a treatment program, they must enroll in approved courses at an Oregon community college within 12 months of the date of first release from out of state foster care. For this purpose, if the child remained within the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Human Services under ORS 417.200 for the duration of the child’s placement in foster care outside the state of Oregon, the child is considered a resident of Oregon if they meet all other eligibility criteria. (d) The Commission may waive the requirements of subsection 4(a) and 4(b) of this rule provided a student demonstrates a significant hardship. A student who, for the purpose of meeting the requirement of either subsection 4(a) or 4(b), would have been required to enroll in approved courses at an Oregon community college during the spring term of the 2019-2020 academic year, but does not enroll or enrolls less than half-time, is deemed to have demonstrated a significant hardship due to the issuance of a declaration of emergency and related executive orders by the Governor restricting the operations of Oregon community colleges, and shall retain eligibility to receive a grant if the student meets or receives any applicable waivers for all other requirements and enrolls in approved courses at an Oregon community college no later than the fall term of the 2020-2021 academic year. (5) Have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if eligible to file the application, and accepted all state and federal grant aid offered; and (6) Have not completed more than 90 credit hours, or the equivalent, at a post-secondary institution of education or a curriculum, degree or program.