State Tuit ition Assistance Program Bob Small Senior Policy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Oregon National l Guard State Tuit ition Assistance Program Bob Small Senior Policy Advisor Military and Veteran Programs Office of Student Access and Completion OrAVSCO Conference April 24, 2019

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Topics Covered in this Presentation  The history and purpose of the ONGSTA Program  Who is eligible for the benefit  How students apply for the benefit  Student responsibilities  School responsibilities  The application and award process

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) History  Sponsored by Rep. McLane and Rep. Whisnant and presented as HB 4035 (January 22, 2018), “Proud to have introduced this legislation during the most recent legislative session. Prior to this law's passage, Oregon was the only state in the nation that did not provide some form of tuition assistance to members of the National Guard .” (Rep. McLane FB Post, April 26, 2018)  Signed into law April 3, 2018 by Governor Kate Brown. (Photo by Brian Gailey Klamath Falls News)

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Purpose  To provide funding for tuition costs at Oregon community colleges (up to 90 credits) and Oregon public universities (up to 180 credits) for current eligible Oregon Army and Air National Guard members.  Oregon previously was the only state that did not offer any type of state tuition assistance or other educational benefits to ONG members. Statutory language for a tuition waiver program exists under ORS 399.275. However, the program has not been funded in recent years.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Who Is Eligible?  Be a member of the Oregon National Guard and not currently the subject of any adverse or disciplinary actions.  Completed any military basic training.  Be currently in a satisfactory drilling status.  Have a current “passing” Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) score.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Who Is Eligible?  Not achieved a baccalaureate degree or higher.  Not be in default of any federal Title IV student financial aid loans.  Be enrolled and in “good standing” (GPA 2.0 or higher) in an associate degree granting program or an undergraduate baccalaureate degree granting program at an Oregon publicly funded community college or university; or maintain satisfactory academic progress defined under Title IV regulations.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) How students apply for the benefit Non-Military Requirements:  Create a Student Profile with the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC).  Complete an Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program application (OSAC).  Complete and submit the Application for Federal Student Aid if eligible (FAFSA).

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) How students apply for the benefit Military Requirements:  Army Guard Requirement: Create a Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) account and Request TA Access through the “GoArmy” login.  Air “Active Guard Reserve Requirement” ( AGR) only: (members who are on an AGR Tour of at least 90 days or longer) – Please contact the Wing Training Office to validate eligibility for the Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) Program and submit a request.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Student responsibilities  Students responsibility to complete all steps for the application process  The student should sign and return the financial aid award letter when it is received from the school, or accept the award online if required.  If the student makes any changes for schools, or make an address, telephone number, or email change after completing the application, the student should notify OSAC immediately.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Student responsibilities  If the financial aid award letter to the student is not received in a timely manner, the student should contact the financial aid office at the school attended.  If a message or letter is received from the Oregon National Guard, OSAC, or the school requesting additional information, the student should respond promptly.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) School responsibilities Schools will verify or complete and report to OSAC:  Student has not have achieved a baccalaureate degree or higher.  Student is not be in default on any federal Title IV loan or owe a refund on federal Title IV funds previously disbursed, unless the institution disbursing funds determines that the student has made satisfactory arrangements to repay and has regained federal eligibility.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) School responsibilities Schools will verify or complete and report to OSAC:  Student GPA is a 2.0 cumulative or better or satisfactory academic progress (SAP) meets US Department of Education regulations and policies applicable to Title IV funding.  Student is enrolled in a degree seeking program.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) School responsibilities Schools will verify or complete and report to OSAC:  Student’s prior credit hours which apply only for the declared major(s) they are currently enrolled. For community colleges, >90 quarter credits, student is ineligible. For universities, >180 quarter credits, student is ineligible.  The number of credit hours the student is enrolled for the term.  Tuition for the current term.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) School responsibilities Schools will verify or complete and report to OSAC:  Apply all federal and state grants the student is eligible to receive towards the students tuition account balance. If there is a remaining balance, ONGSTA funds can be applied to the students account and that amount is reported to OSAC for each term. ONGSTA is last dollar (except VA CH 33). Examples of federal and state grants include Pell, DoD Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA or MilTA), Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise etc .

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) The application and award process Start of Term:  OSAC receives ONGSTA application from student  OSAC verifies OSAC student account  OSAC verifies FAFSA completion  OSAC submits student information to Oregon National Guard (ONG)  ONG verifies satisfactory drilling status and verifies federal tuition assistance.

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) The application and award process  ONG submits student information to OSAC  OSAC sends student information to the applicable school  The schools verify and complete requirements and award ONGSTA funds if applicable  School reports completed student information to OSAC  OSAC enters term information into permanent student data base

Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) The application and award process End of Term:  OSAC requests updated student information from school  Schools report information if students enrollment, SAP, or award status has changed  OSAC updates term information into permanent student data base

Questions? Contact: Bob Small Senior Policy Advisor Military and Veteran Programs Office of Student Access and Completion bob.small@state.or.us 503-689-2976 April 24, 2019 OrAVSCO Conference US National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. John Hughel