Further points on higher education

Sad, but true: it is becoming harder for students to work their way through college. Tuition rates have climbed, and students often must choose between working enough to provide for themselves, and oftentimes their families, or taking a full-time course load.

Looking at OIT’s revenue sources in the past five years, the amount of state support has eroded, while the tuition has increased.

One of the attributes of the budget submitted by the Oregon University System to Governor Kulongoski is the request to re-establish predictable, affordable tuition. This would be tied to statewide median family income figures, and seek to rebalance the student-state share of funding. Also proposed is expanding need-based aid for low- and middle-income Oregon students through the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Currently, 512 OIT students receive this grant.

As students, it is good for you to know that the Chancellor’s Office and the OIT administration are working to help you through your educational path.