Governor signs law expanding tuition assistance for Oregon National Guard members

SALEM, Ore. – Members of the Oregon National Guard will be able to receive tuition assistance at Oregon Health and Science University and private institutions in addition to community colleges and public higher education institutions under House Bill 2817, passed by the Oregon Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown.

“Grants provided under this section shall be awarded to a qualified student for up to 90 credit hours at a community college; or 180 credit hours at a public university and now 180 credit hours at a qualifying private institution; or 180 credit hours at Oregon Health and Science University," according to the law.

The benefit will be available for the 2020-21 academic year.

The bill helps expand on HB 4035, signed into law in 2018, which established tuition assistance to members of the Oregon National Guard to attend public universities and community college. The assistance began during the 2018-19 academic year.

Both laws require a student to be in “good standing” with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.