Student Emergency Needs Package
College and university students across Oregon’s college and universities are reporting increased rates of food insecurity, housing instability, and challenges affording and accessing textbooks, transportation, childcare, healthcare, and other basic needs.
HB 4162: The Student Emergency Needs Package is a bipartisan, student-centered effort to support the expansion of basic needs programming and affordable textbooks initiatives with $6 million dollars in one-time, emergency funding during the 2024 Session.
What is HB 4162 advocating for?
Student Basic Needs
Financial aid programs designed for low-income students fail to cover the bulk of their needs and working while in school does not eliminate the threat of food insecurity, housing insecurity, and other basic needs insecurities.
The Student Emergency Needs Package allocates $5 million dollars that colleges and universities across Oregon can tailor to strengthen student basic needs programming and infrastructure on their campuses. By addressing issues such as food insecurity and homelessness, students can focus on their studies without the stress of unmet basic needs.
Textbook Affordability
The cost of textbooks has become a substantial financial burden for students over the last two decades. Research shows that seemingly small, unpredictable expenses can create a financial emergency that limits student success and increases student debt.
The Student Emergency Needs Package allocates $1 million dollars to continue the expansion of no-cost, low-cost textbooks. Financial aid rarely stretches to cover course materials, so funding for affordable textbooks is an essential component of a statewide affordability strategy.
HB 4162: Testimony + Advocacy Toolkit
To help us continue building support for the Student Emergency Needs Package, use our HB 4162: Testimony + Advocacy Toolkit. The toolkit includes one-pagers, testimony preparation materials, talking points, FAQs, and more.
Use Your Voice: Support HB 4162
Testify in Support of HB 4162
The first public hearing for HB 4162 will be on Thursday, February 8th during the House Higher Education Committee meeting. The meeting will take place from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. This is your chance to voice your concerns and share your story. Click below for more details and a testimony template.
Student Lobby Day - 2/14
Join us for a Student Lobby Day on February 14th as we advocate for basic needs funding and textbook affordability. This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to actively engage with their state legislators and advocate for important issues affecting their education and daily lives.
Email Action Campaign
Help uplift our message by urging Legislative Leadership and the Ways & Means co-chairs to support HB 4162: The Student Emergency Needs Package during the 2024 Session. Feel free to personalize the message with your personal information and stories. It’s quick and easy!
Thank you to all our endorsers and coalition partners!
Is your organization or institution intersted in endorsing HB 4162?
Click below to complete the endorsement form for HB 4162.
