ORS 348.270 Scholarships for children of public safety officers

In addition to any other scholarships provided by law, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall award scholarships to any qualified student who is a child of a public safety officer who has suffered a qualifying death or disability.

A student who wishes to receive a scholarship under this section shall submit an application in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.

To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this section, a student must:

Be a child of a public safety officer who has suffered a qualifying death or disability;

Be enrolled or have applied for enrollment at an institution of higher education in this state;

Be under 25 years of age at the time that the student first submits an application under subsection (2) of this section;

Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year and accept all state and federal aid grants available to the person, if eligible to file the application; and

Not have achieved a baccalaureate or higher degree from any post-secondary institution.

A student who is awarded a scholarship under this section continues to be eligible for the scholarship if the student, in addition to satisfying the criteria specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, makes satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the institution of higher education at which the student is enrolled.

A student is eligible to receive a scholarship under this section for a maximum of the equivalent of four academic years.

Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the total amount of a scholarship awarded under this section shall be equal to the amount of tuition and all fees levied by the institution of higher education against the student reduced by any amounts received by the student in state and federal aid grants.

For a four-year degree program, the maximum amount of a scholarship awarded under this section is $13,000 per academic year.

As used in this section:

“Child” means a person’s natural child, adopted child or stepchild.

“Institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 348.582.

“Permanent total disability” has the meaning given that term in ORS 656.206.

“Public safety officer” means a corrections officer, fire service professional, parole and probation officer, police officer, reserve officer or youth correction officer, as those terms are defined in ORS 181A.355.

“Qualifying death or disability” has the meaning given that term in ORS 243.954.