Bill passes, allowing high school students to earn college credits.

The Oregonian
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
STEVEN CARTER

Similar to Washington's Running Start, the measure lets juniors and seniors enroll at no cost to them

A measure expanding the ability of Oregon students to get college credit while in high school sailed through the House floor Tuesday and will go to Gov. Ted Kulongoski for his signature.
Senate Bill 300 creates a statewide system in which students can get a jump on college while high school juniors or seniors at no cost. Their tuition is paid by their school district.
Some districts have individual agreements with state universities or community colleges for dual enrollment, but the programs are not available to all. The measure makes the program statewide for juniors and seniors or any student older than 16 and is patterned after the Running Start program in Washington.
The measure says that at least half the state aid that high schools get for each student will follow the student to college and pay for tuition, fees and books. It sets a cap that high schools can use to limit their financial loss -- no more than the equivalent of seven students enrolled full time in college programs at a high school of 1,000 students.

I think it is a wonderful idea that the students will be given the opportunity to get college credits, however, the unforeseen catch is with financial aid.

In 1975, I went to a community college in there and 65 credits. 2003, I returned to school and within six months ran into what was called the "maximum credit limit" for financial aid because I reach the maximum "lifetime" credits allowed by financially and had to file an appeal. The University of Oregon informed me that within eight terms that I will be running into the same issue again.

Therefore, the idea is great, but just be aware of unforeseen surprises.