Tuition-free community college proposed in Oregon

Some states are picking up the tab for community college tuition, and Oregon could be next.

Under a draft bill in the Oregon Legislature, tuition not covered by federal and state grants would be waived for some high school graduates. Students would still be required to contribute $50 per course.

"I think it's reasonable," said Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, chairman of the Senate Education & Workforce Development Committee. "We're saying we're throwing open the doors to community college to any high school graduate in Oregon."

It's a plan that will likely help more middle-class students than low-income. But it's also a proposal the Beaverton lawmaker called realistic when it comes to costs.

In September, committee members got an overview of different scenarios for a free community college tuition program from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Annual costs ranged from $8.9 million to $226.9 million.

The nonprofit looked at different assumptions, including whether the state would pay for room and board, a cost that is significantly more than tuition.

If the state only covered tuition and fees for 11,599 recent high school graduates for two years, it could cost as little as $14.1 million per year, according to a report by the group.

But annual costs could rise to $69 million if the state covered two-year tuition for 97,728 high school graduates and adults.

Under the draft bill, students would have to meet certain eligibility requirements to get their tuition waived.

Patricia Schechter, legislative chairwoman for the Portland State University chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said the group has not yet taken a position on the bill.

She is still concerned, though, about its impact on enrollment in four-year universities.

"The state would create an incentive for all Oregonians to go to community college for free rather than pay to attend one of our four-year universities. This move could, in effect, limit educational choice for the neediest students," she said.

Oregon is not the only state moving forward with plans to make community college tuition free for two years.

Tennessee is starting a scholarship program in the fall of 2015 that would pay for tuition and fees not covered by certain state and federal grants.

"I think this is an important breakthrough and an acknowledgment that the days of being able to make it to the middle class after you walk out of high school without any kind of technical training are over," Hass said.

The Senate Education & Workforce Development Committee introduced the draft bill Wednesday.

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, tasked with studying free community college this year, concluded in October that the idea is viable.

There are 17 community colleges in Oregon. In the past school year, tuition and fees rose to $4,535, according to the Oregon Department of Community College and Workforce Development.

Oregon community colleges have the second-highest tuition in 15 western states, according to the report.

James Sinks, a spokesman for the Oregon Community College Association, said that they will be gathering feedback from members about the draft bill.

"Community colleges are the ladder from poverty to the middle class, and the more access and affordability that can be created for students the better," he said.

qwong@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6694 or follow at Twitter.com/QWongSJ.

Draft Bill at Glance

Here's the eligibility requirements for free community college tuition, under the draft bill:

•State resident for 12 months prior to beginning courses.

•Attained highest level of education in this state prior to receiving a high school diploma or GED.

•Completed grade 12 within perimeters of state requirements

•Has not previously earned more than 90 quarters hours at post secondary institution

•Utilized all state and federal grants available to them. The amount of tuition waived shall be the amount owed after subtracting all applicable state and federal grants.

•Paid $50 per course

Source: LC 1874