(1) As used in this section:

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(a) ‘Community college’ means a community college operated under ORS Chapter 341.

(b) ‘Good standing’ means the qualified student has a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher at Oregon Health and Science University or the community college, public university listed in ORS § 352.002 or qualifying private institution at which the student is enrolled.

(c) ‘Qualified student’ means a student who:

(A) Has not achieved a baccalaureate or higher degree from any post-secondary institution;

(B) Is enrolled and in good standing in:

(i) An associate degree granting program at a community college;

(ii) An undergraduate baccalaureate degree granting program at a public university listed in ORS § 352.002;

(iii) An undergraduate baccalaureate degree granting program at a qualifying private institution;

(iv) An undergraduate baccalaureate degree granting program at Oregon Health and Science University; or

(v) A program or curriculum designed to lead to a certificate of completion, as defined by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission by rule, at a community college, a public university listed in ORS § 352.002, Oregon Health and Science University or a qualifying private institution;

(C) Is a member of the Oregon National Guard;

(D) Has completed basic training with the Oregon National Guard or a National Guard of any other state or territory;

(E) Has completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year, if eligible to file the application; and

(F) Has accepted all federal military tuition assistance grants available to the student.

(d) ‘Qualifying private institution’ means a private post-secondary institution that meets the criteria set forth in ORS § 348.597 (2).

(2) A qualified student shall receive a grant under this section in an amount that equals the sum of the following, minus the amount of federal military tuition assistance received by the qualified student:

(a)(A) The resident tuition charges at the community college at which the qualified student is enrolled;

(B) The resident tuition charges at the public university listed in ORS § 352.002 at which the qualified student is enrolled;

(C) The average resident tuition charges to attend a public university listed in ORS § 352.002 if the qualified student is enrolled at a qualifying private institution; or

(D) The resident tuition charges at Oregon Health and Science University if the qualified student is enrolled at Oregon Health and Science University;

(b) The average amount of fees charged by the type of institution at which the qualified student is enrolled, as determined by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission; and

(c) An allowance for books required for coursework, as determined by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

(3) Grants provided under this section shall be awarded to a qualified student for up to:

(a) 90 credit hours at a community college;

(b) 180 credit hours at a public university listed in ORS § 352.002;

(c) 180 credit hours at a qualifying private institution; or

(d) 180 credit hours at Oregon Health and Science University.

(4) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall adopt any rules necessary for the administration of this section, including but not limited to any requirements related to:

(a) Specifying the form and timelines for submitting an application for a grant under this section;

(b) Determining whether a person is eligible for a grant under this section; and

(c) Prescribing grant calculations for qualified students dually enrolled at a community college, a public university, Oregon Health and Science University or a qualifying private institution.

(5) Prior to the start of the fall term of each academic year, the commission shall determine whether moneys available to the commission are sufficient to award a grant under this section to each eligible person. On the basis of this determination, the commission may:

(a) Limit eligibility to receive a grant under this section to a person whose family contribution, as determined by the commission by rule, is at or below a level the commission determines is necessary to allow the commission to operate the grant program under this section with available moneys; or

(b) Reduce or eliminate any limitation on eligibility previously imposed by the commission under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(6) If at any time the commission determines that moneys available to the commission are insufficient to provide a grant under this section to each eligible person, the commission may decrease the total amount of the grant awarded to each recipient. [2018 c.53 § 2; 2019 c.656 § 1; 2021 c.268 § 1]

348.268 was added to and made a part of ORS Chapter 348 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.