Prison Education Programs (PEPs) & Pell Grants - Employment And Education
From hmis
| Group | Employment And Education |
| Category | Employment And Education |
| Name | Prison Education Programs (PEPs) & Pell Grants |
| Provider | State of Oregon |
|---|
Description
Education
https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/20230712_pell_grant.jsp
https://www.oregon.gov/doc/aic-programs/pages/education.aspx
Pell Grants provide federal funding for students to pursue higher education. As of July 1, 2023, Pell Grants are once again available to adults in corrections, for the first time since 1994. Students incarcerated in Federal or State correctional facilities (and students who are subject to involuntary civil commitments) may now receive Pell Grants is they otherwise meet Pell Grant eligibility. Students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible PEP (Prison Education Program).
In Oregon, Chemeketa and Treasure Valley Community Colleges, Oregon State Correctional Institution, Oregon State Penitentiary and Santiam Correctional Institution, are Second Chance Pell sites under a federal pilot program. They currently offer associate transfer degrees for those incarcerated locally. Opportunities for bachelor’s degrees and technical training are now being considered for federal funding by Oregon community colleges and universities as well.
Oregon Senate Bill 270, which was signed into law in June 2023, allows prisoners to more easily access academic programs at any community college in Oregon, any distance learning program or any other higher education program that’s eligible.
Adults in Corrections who are eligible to take college-level courses may also do so at their own expense when the opportunity is available. Community partners include:
- Blue Mountain Community College
- Central Oregon Community College
- Chemeketa Community College
- Portland Community College
- Southwestern Oregon Community College
- Treasure Valley Community College
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/research/Documents/Reports/SB-234-Report-Final-2021.pdf