Supporting student success for hundreds of students, and the application is open for 2025-26

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to report growing participation in the Oregon Tribal Student Grant (OTSG) since the historic launch of this new state program three years ago. First launched in 2022, the Tribal Grant is opening doors to postsecondary degrees and certificates for hundreds of students from Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes, and there have been more applicants each year. In the first two years alone, 215 grantees earned credentials at community colleges, private non-profit institutions, and public universities. The application is open for 2025-26 and tribal students are encouraged to learn about eligibility and apply.

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant pays for most or all public college-related expenses—including tuition, housing, books, and other costs not covered by other grants—for eligible students who are enrolled members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes. Among state financial aid programs, the OTSG is unique in its flexibility—it can cover total college costs at a time when the financial strain of housing and living expenses can be as much of a barrier as tuition. The OTSG can be applied toward undergraduate or graduate study at Oregon’s 24 public colleges and universities as well as eligible Oregon private non-profit institutions, where awards can go up to the allowable maximum amount at a public university. The grant is available to students at all levels, including those who just graduated from high school or earned their GED® and adults wanting to start or return to college.

In its first three years, the OTSG has been awarded to tribal students from all nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon: Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and Klamath Tribes.

Stories of the Tribal Grant's Impact

Oregon’s statewide career and college readiness program offers education, resources, and mentoring for students.

Below are some highlights from the ASPIRE program during the 2023-25 biennium.

Program Growth

During the 2023–2025 biennium, the ASPIRE program experienced significant growth, adding 56 new sites across communities statewide. Notably:

• 35 percent of new sites were in rural communities, 18% in frontier areas, 9% in suburban areas, and 38 percent in urban locations
• The program currently has a waitlist of sites that have submitted applications and are ready to join, pending available funding.
• ASPIRE now includes 200 active sites: 149 high schools, 39 middle schools, 7 combined high school/middle school buildings, and 5 community-based organizations.

Mentoring Support

An estimated 53,047 students in grades 6–12 received mentoring support through ASPIRE sites during the 2023–2025 biennium. On average, each student received nearly six hours of mentoring annually. ASPIRE is supported by more than 2,000 community volunteer mentors and 7,000 building and staff mentors.

Financial Aid Support

Each year, ASPIRE sites receive training and professional development focused on supporting Oregon students through the financial aid process. During the 2023–2025 biennium:

• ASPIRE sites hosted over 3,000 financial aid workshops, including 1,700 specifically focused on Oregon grants and scholarships.
• Sites received ongoing training and coaching from ASPIRE staff on FAFSA and ORSAA completion. As a result, ASPIRE sites have consistently achieved FAFSA/ORSAA completion rates above the state average.
• For the Class of 2024, as of November 1, the FAFSA/ORSAA completion rate at ASPIRE sites was 54.6%, compared to the statewide average of 49.8%.
• For the Class of 2025, as of May 1, the ASPIRE site FAFSA/ORSAA completion rate was 47%, exceeding the state average of 43%.

Career/ Workforce Support

Oregon students are increasingly pursuing a variety of postsecondary pathways, including apprenticeships, trades, direct employment, and college degrees. In response, more ASPIRE sites are integrating career and workforce preparation into their programs.

• 70 percent of ASPIRE sites facilitated career exploration workshops, with 57 percent offering résumé workshops and 52 percent hosting mock interview sessions for students.
• Additionally, 76 percent of ASPIRE sites invited local career representatives to engage with students and share insights about career opportunities in their communities.
• More than 700 educators have received professional development on apprenticeships and employability skills through ASPIRE-led webinars, video trainings, and in-person sessions.

ASPIRE Partners and Supporters

We are honored to support schools and community-based organizations across Oregon in advancing career and college readiness (CCR) for students as they prepare for life beyond high school.

This work is not done in isolation. We are deeply grateful to the many individuals and partners who contribute—both in small and significant ways—to the bold delivery of the ASPIRE program and to the success of Oregon’s students.

ASPIRE Coordinators are essential to the success of this mission. Your unwavering support and belief for all students, especially those who are underserved, is vital. Dedication to promoting CCR creates pathways to meaningful opportunities. By planning and facilitating a wide range of activities for middle and high school students—including financial aid and scholarship workshops, résumé development, campus visits, industry tours, CCR exploration, and employment preparation—you provide students with the guidance and resources necessary for success. Additionally, as coordinators, you continuously enhance your own professional expertise through leading and participating in webinars and conferences, while maintaining diligent and timely program reporting.

ASPIRE Administrators prioritize and champion career and college readiness (CCR) by placing it at the heart of the educational experience. Thank you for recognizing that truly supporting students on their journeys requires a site-wide effort, shared commitment, and coordinated access to essential resources and tools. Your dedication to ensuring that all learners are supported reflects a deep commitment to building a brighter future and promoting economic empowerment. By centralizing CCR efforts and fostering collaboration among staff and programs, you are integrating these goals into school and organizational plans for continuous improvement, ultimately expanding access to postsecondary education and aid programs for all populations you serve.

School Staff and Community Mentors—your work matters deeply, and we see you. Educators and school personnel step up to help students craft compelling essays, explore college majors, and pursue academic rigor. Community volunteers generously share their time and stories, offering structure, mentorship, and guidance. Whether coaching students through scholarship applications or helping them navigate the complex languages of higher education, apprenticeships, and the workforce—you make a lasting impact.

We also want to recognize our exceptional colleagues within OSAC—outreach, grants, scholarships, and tech support teams—who provide critical expertise, training, resources, and guidance. Your commitment ensures students can access the funding they need to turn college dreams into reality. From developing informative webinars to maintaining timely communication, updating data, and supporting FAFSA/ORSAA outreach, your work strengthens us all.

Staff at Oregon’s colleges and universities extend support far beyond the college. By hosting conferences, campus tours, leading application events, and demystifying financial aid, you open doors for students across the state. Your participation in financial aid nights, college fairs, and apprenticeship workshops, is essential to creating a career and college-going culture.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many trusted partners whose collaboration and resources enrich ASPIRE’s reach and effectiveness. Your contributions—whether through webinars, conference sessions, resource sharing, or community building—have been essential.

We are especially grateful to: The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), Career College Collaborative (C3), ECMC – The College Place, The Ford Family Foundation, Get Schooled, HECC departments, Oregon Goes to College, Gear Up, the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Employability Skills, Oregon State University eCampus, National College Attainment Network (NCAN), Oregon College Savings Plan, TRIO, and many others.

Together, we have elevated career and college readiness across Oregon. We are proud of all we have accomplished and remain incredibly grateful to those who walk alongside us in this work.

Wishing you a restorative, joyful, and well-deserved summer break. We look forward to reconnecting next year!

Warm regards, The ASPIRE Team