The Oregon legislature is currently debating whether to add more funding to the Oregon Opportunity Grant, a grant that supports students with the most financial need.

Statewide, 43,100 students were awarded grants for this cycle, exceeding the program’s $57 million budget. The state has responded by reducing the amount of each grant--$120 for full-time students and $60 for part-time students.

At Linfield College, one of the top recipients of the grants, a large number of students could see cuts if no additional funding is provided.

"Linfield has among the largest number of Oregon Opportunity Grant recipients of any private college in the state," Dan Preston, dean of enrollment services for the College said. "In several of the past years, Linfield had more grant recipients than any other private colleges."

Three hundred and four Linfield students were awarded the grant for the 2009-10 school-year, but more than $32,000 will be needed to fulfill the awards. 

In 2002, Linfield donors, including trustees, alumni, faculty and staff, covered the $90,000 deficit. Last year, the school had to raise $27,000. 

Linfield President Thomas Hellie encouraged students to write letters to state representatives asking for additional funding for the grant.

"Without [an] additional allocation this month, the shortfall will be dramatically worse next year, and there is a real danger that scholarships will be reduced or eliminated for some students," Hellie wrote in an e-mail to the Linfield Review, the student newspaper at Linfield. 

For students like freshman Crystal Galarza, the legislature's decision could have a huge impact. “Every little bit of financial aid that I receive makes a big difference in me being here,” she said. “I have a lot riding on my education — not just for me, but also for my family.”

http://www.nsns.org/news/oregon-opportunity-grant-may-get-boost