EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 19, 2009) – PathwayOregon – a financial and academic support program that helps Oregon's eligible lower-income students attend the University of Oregon – welcomed 439 participants this fall. In addition, the program continues to support 372 second-year students, who were admitted during the 2008-09 inaugural year.

The program, the first of its kind in Oregon, is designed to enable more lower-income students to earn UO undergraduate degrees with reduced reliance on student loans. Through a combination of state, federal and institutional grants and scholarships, PathwayOregon promises to cover the cost of tuition and fees for in-state students who meet UO admission criteria and who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. Students receive comprehensive academic and personal support during each of the four years of the program.

"This program was started to ensure that Oregon high school graduates, who meet academic requirements and are eligible for the Pell Grant, have an opportunity to attend the UO," said Jim Bean, senior vice president and provost. "Students and their families continue to face economic challenges, which in the past may have meant choosing not to attend school. PathwayOregon is another way we keep our brightest lower-income students on the college degree path."

PathwayOregon has a higher percentage of first-generation and rural students than their non-Pathway counterparts. Of the 2009 Pathway freshman, 38.5 percent are the first in their family to attend college and 17.8 percent are from rural counties. Non-Pathway resident freshmen are 18.5 percent and 8.7 percent, comparatively. The mean high school grade point average for Pathway students is 3.63, compared to 3.57 GPA for other freshmen. Their median family income is about $28,000, with other freshman family median income around $85,000 (for those who submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Pathway students come from nearly every county in the state.

Students with both the financial need and the highest high school GPA are considered for housing awards, which provide the equivalent of room and board in residence halls. Of the 2009 cohort, 25 (with a 4.0 high school GPA) received housing.

"The success of the program is in the advising and personal support for Pathway students," said Carla Bowers, PathwayOregon coordinator. "We make sure they have the resources to not only graduate in four years, but to have people available to help them get the most out of their time at the UO. The focused support is what sets PathwayOregon apart from similar programs."

The retention rate for the 2008 cohort was 89.6 percent, with the students earning an average GPA slightly over 3.0 during their first year. These students are now participating in PathwayOregon programming that addresses specific challenges and opportunities of the sophomore year.

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