Oregon military department proposes in-state tuition for out-of-state National Guard members

The Oregon House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss critical legislative initiatives aimed at enhancing support for the Oregon National Guard. The primary focus was on Senate Bill 798, which proposes to grant in-state tuition rates to out-of-state members of the Oregon National Guard attending state universities.

The Oregon Military Department's legislative affairs director highlighted the current challenges facing the Oregon National Guard, which has approximately 8,100 authorized service members but is experiencing significant vacancies—1,200 in the Army National Guard and over 200 in the Air National Guard. This situation places Oregon near the bottom in terms of military strength among states and territories.

Senate Bill 798 aims to address these recruitment and retention issues by allowing Oregon National Guard members who reside outside the state, along with their families, to benefit from in-state tuition rates. This change would align the treatment of these service members with that of active-duty military personnel stationed in Oregon, who already enjoy similar tuition benefits.

The director noted that many Oregon National Guard members live in neighboring states, such as Washington and Idaho, and that providing in-state tuition could encourage them to remain connected to the Oregon National Guard. The potential fiscal impact of the bill is expected to be positive, as it may lead to increased enrollment at Oregon universities without imposing significant costs on the state.

Committee members expressed strong support for the bill, recognizing the importance of considering all service members as Oregonians for tuition purposes. Questions arose regarding the implications for online education, with assurances that out-of-state members would be treated as in-state students for tuition and fee structures when enrolling in online programs.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the potential benefits of the bill and its role in strengthening the Oregon National Guard's recruitment and retention efforts. The proposed legislation represents a significant step toward enhancing educational opportunities for service members and their families, fostering a deeper connection to the state of Oregon.