Oregon offering free college
Oregon will now be following in Tennessee’s footsteps by offering free community college in a bill passed by legislators. Senate Bill 81 states that if eligible students apply for and receive federal community college grants, that Oregon will pay the remaining balance that is not covered.
More than 10,000 students are expected to benefit from this, but students must begin taking classes within six months of high school graduation, take courses that work toward graduation and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
If the bill is signed by Govenor Kate Brown, the program will begin in 2016. However, they are still unsure as to how many students will actually take advantage of this opportunity.
In May 2014, the state of Tennessee passed the Tennessee Promise bill, allowing students to attend two years of community or technical college tuition-free. President Obama has also had a spoken in favor of free community college, also proposing increased funding in career based education and job training programs.