"This is a historic step towards victory for Oregon college students," said Oregon Student Association Board member and UO Student Body President Jared Axelrod. "Just three years ago, we were only serving some of the very neediest of students with a small, arbitrary grant. Now we are seeing commitment from our legislature to this model, which for the first time offers grant aid according to what a student can actually afford to pay. For our state, this means more students will have access to college -- and more college grads means a stronger Oregon."

Under the model, the student makes the initial investment in their education through reasonable work hours and borrowing, with families also contributing what they are able. If students and families fulfill state requirements, the state will then step in -- where the federal government doesn't -- to fill the affordability gap. But the Shared Responsibility Model is only one piece of a larger package to expand access, affordability, and quality for Oregon college students. Without funding for universities and colleges, students worry that the Shared Responsibility Model could offer an empty promise.

"It's like opening a window with a wall behind it," said OSA Board Vice Chair and Portland State University Student Body President Courtney Morse.

"If our schools don't have the funds to provide us with the services, programs, and courses students need, we will still face barriers to graduation."
Students are also concerned that if tuition increases more than the increase in the Median Family Income (3.4 percent), the model would not be fully-funded, and would thus be unable to truly close the affordability gap.

The Oregon Student Association, a coalition of student governments dedicated to representing the interests of college students, also is advocating for a $2.7 million investment in the ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) program, a volunteer mentoring program that provides high school students with the tools to access a post-secondary education. There were no funds allocated for this program in the budget developed by the Ways and Means Co-chair.

"Without a program like ASPIRE, many students won't make it far enough in in their education to take advantage of the Shared Responsibility Model,"said Morse. "In order for this model to be most successful, it must be paired with a program that helps students develop their aspirations to college."

The bill is now being considered by the House Education Committee. If passed, the Model would be implemented in the 2008 - 09 school year.