EUGENE, Ore. -- (Jan. 12, 2009) – The University of Oregon is committing approximately $340,000 to help 2,900 students who recently learned their Oregon Opportunity Grant funding will be cut for the remainder of the academic year.

The Oregon Opportunity Grant will reduce grants for full-time students by $80 and part-time students by $40 during spring term. To alleviate these reductions, UO will use private contributions and institutional aid to make up the funds. The use of donor funds was made possible by Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives, the most successful capital campaign in the state’s history, which concluded at the end of 2008.

“We feel this is the most responsible action to take for our students,” said Jim Bean, UO senior vice president and provost. “We’re appreciative of our generous donors who made this possible. We wouldn’t be able to extend this hand without their support, which enables us to continue our commitment to providing access to higher education.”

This year, there are 1,000 more UO students participating in the Oregon Opportunity Grant than in the 2007-08 year. The increase is in part due to the state’s decision to double the grant funding program, which spurred more financial aid applications.

“Our decision to cover the reduced grants is a short-term solution to an enormous problem facing the state of Oregon,” said Dave Frohnmayer, UO president. “The university won’t be able to take this action again and we need the state’s support to continue this vital program.”

All impacted UO students will be notified of the adjustment to financial aid assistance during the next few weeks.