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Bill would create permanent fund to support college-access programs; sponsors request $10 million
Summary
House Bill 2,997 would establish a permanent fund at the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to support community-based college access and success programs (TRIO, AVID, College Possible and similar). Sponsors and witnesses asked the committee to approve an initial ask of $10 million.
House Bill 2,997 would establish a permanent fund within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to support community-based organizations that provide postsecondary access and success programming for underserved students across Oregon.
Representative Ricky Ruiz, sponsor of the bill, described his personal experience as a first-generation student and urged support for programs such as TRIO, AVID and College Possible that mentor and coach students through application, financial aid and transition to college. Ruiz said the bill’s purpose is to expand proven programs that increase college enrollment and completion for low-income, immigrant and first-generation students.
John Chang, executive director of College Possible Oregon, told the committee last biennium’s one-time HEC funding allowed community organizations to expand services, and that a permanent fund would prevent service interruptions. Chang said College Possible expanded coaching to nearly 2,000 Oregon students and reported a 90% enrollment rate among coached students compared with a 55% statewide baseline cited in the testimony. Chang said a permanent HECC fund would allow multiple organizations to continue and scale services statewide.
Student witnesses from TRIO, AVID and College Possible described how counseling, peer mentoring and navigators changed their educational paths. Brianna Eck, a TRIO participant, said TRIO helped her secure scholarships and academic support that made her college and graduate-school plans possible. Sienna Voigt, representing AVID, credited the program with building her confidence and college readiness skills. Anthony Pershadow Wynn, representing College Possible, described one-on-one coaching, scholarship application help and support that enabled his return to Oregon State University to major in computer science.
Representative Ruiz confirmed the bill’s financial ask to the committee is $10,000,000. Committee members asked questions about how the permanent fund would interact with existing K–12, community college and campus programs; witnesses said the fund is intended to finance community-based organizations, while allowing comparable institutional programs to apply if they meet program requirements.
No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; sponsors asked the committee to consider the $10 million ask for the fund.
