Oregon Considers Closing Free College Program

Oregon officials are considering ending the Oregon Promise Grant, a program that covers tuition for recent high school or GED graduates at the state’s community colleges after other financial aid is applied. A proposal from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission staff would transfer money from the promise program to the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which supports students with unmet financial need at eligible public or private higher education institutions. The proposal is not yet before the full commission, and any change would likely be considered for later legislative action. Supporters of the promise program argue it should be revamped rather than eliminated, while officials contend it has not produced the enrollment, retention, or completion improvements lawmakers expected.

"Oregon officials are considering scrapping the state's promise program and investing the savings in need-based aid instead, arguing free college has failed to boost enrollments. An early proposal by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission staff recommends sunsetting the decade-old Oregon Promise Grant, Oregon Public Broadcasting first reported. The program covers tuition costs for recent high school or GED graduates at the state's 17 community colleges, after federal and state financial aid are applied."

"Under the proposal, the state agency would transfer funds from the promise program to the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which serves students with unmet financial need who attend eligible public or private higher ed institutions. Oregon Promise is one of an estimated 200-plus state and local programs across the country that cover college tuition costs. And it's the second statewide program to face threats of late; Maine lawmakers raised concerns about the sustainability of their state's free college program but last month voted in favor of making permanent a less expensive version of it."

"The Oregon proposal has yet to formally come before the full commission. If HECC approves it-likely after months of deliberation-the recommendation will go to the governor, who can decide whether to introduce a bill for consideration in the 2027 legislative session, said Kyle Thomas, HECC's director of policy and legislative affair. Students applying for the promise program for the 2026-27 cycle won't be affected. "This is truly the first step in a long process," Thomas said."

"HECC officials argue the free college program hasn't boosted enrollment, retention or completion rates in the ways lawmakers had hoped, and its funds would be better off in a more successful program. But community college leaders are pushing back, suggesting that the free college program should be revamped, not cut altogether. Underwhelming Outcomes Thomas"

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