Correction appended
The University jumped ahead of the financial aid pack this month when University President Dave Frohnmayer announced a new comprehensive financial aid program unheard of among Oregon public universities.
PathwayOregon will allow low-income students who are Oregon residents and meet certain eligibility requirements to attend the University tuition-free. Applicants who excelled academically in high school – about 25 of the projected 400 qualifiers – will also receive free room and board. The first students eligible for PathwayOregon will be next fall’s incoming freshmen.
The plan is the brainchild of Provost Linda Brady, who previously worked at North Carolina State University where needy students can receive free education via the Pack Promise. PathwayOregon has been in the works since Brady arrived at the University about a year ago. It is based in part on similar programs at universities across the country, though it is the first of its kind at an Oregon public university.
“Part of our mission is providing access,” Brady said. “I think it’s critically important that students who are qualified … aren’t deterred simply because they can’t afford the tuition. And so it really is about access and choice.”
In order to qualify for the program, applicants must meet certain University income criteria and be eligible for the federal Pell Grant. PathwayOregon fills the gap between the cost of tuition and the student’s outside financial aid. Assuming the student continues to meet financial and academic eligibility requirements, such as enrolling in at least 12 credits each term and keeping up with gen-ed requirements, the University will continue to cover tuition for him or her for three more years.
“It’s a pretty big undertaking,” said James Gilmour, associate director of student financial aid. “It’s targeting the students that we’ve always had a priority of helping.”
In fall 2006, the University of Washington instituted the Husky Promise, which guarantees low-income, Pell Grant-eligible Washington residents full tuition and scholarships.
“We wanted to send a clear message that we have been accessible to students from lower income groups, and we would continue to be accessible as tuition goes up,” said Kay Lewis, UW director of student financial aid. Lewis said that amid widespread support, the Husky Promise has been successful thus far.
Indeed, it costs a full-time resident $2,700 more to attend the University this year than it did a decade ago, and although the Pell Grant increase and passage of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Shared Responsibility Model were positive steps last year, “it will take a number of years to rebuild,” Brady said. A national trend of declining state support has repeatedly forced universities to drive up tuition costs.
“It’s a real issue,” said Brady. “We frankly felt it important to begin with lower income students first, while understanding it’s a challenge for all students.”
PathwayOregon also ties into Brady’s other current major project: the Strategic Housing Plan, which aims to encourage upperclassmen to live on campus.
Additionally, PathwayOregon contributes to the University’s controversial Diversity Plan, which defines diversity very broadly, Brady said.
In order for students to be eligible for PathwayOregon, it is critical that they apply on time. There are no additional deadlines to meet, just the Jan. 15 regular application and March 1 financial aid deadlines. Students must file a FAFSA and apply for at least one University scholarship.
[email protected]
Because of a reporter’s error, the financial aid deadline was misstated as March 15. The correct deadline is March 1. The Emerald regrets the error.