The state invests taxpayer funds in the Oregon’s community college system primarily through one fund, the Community College Success Fund (CCSF). After the biennial CCSF investment is made by the Legislature and Governor, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is responsible for distribution of public funds among the 17 community colleges. The information here will help you learn about how public investments are distributed to the community colleges, and the principles behind this work.
Current Funding Model Through 2024
The funding distribution model for the 17 community colleges is defined in Oregon law and administrative rules. The HECC distributes public resources to the community colleges through a primarily enrollment-based funding model that will be used through fiscal year 2024.
The state funds for community colleges are distributed based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students enrolled at each college. This distribution is affected by the amount of local property tax imposed by each college. This model provides a foundation to support undergraduate and introductory courses that are offered at community colleges. These state funds are not used for hobby and recreation classes or for classes that are taught outside the state of Oregon.
Revised Funding Model as of Fiscal Year 2025
As of fiscal year 2025, the HECC will determine payments to each college based on the Student-Focused Distribution Model, a revision to the longstanding funding model that was
approved in 2023 after a year-long review focused on Oregon community and state goals.
With this change, the HECC will continue to distribute the majority of the fund through the foundational enrollment-based funding described above but will eventually dedicate up to 10 percent of state taxpayer funds to support student success and equity outcomes. The new student success and equity components focus on the enrollment, completion, and success of low-income learners, adult students, career/technical education seekers, and underrepresented students as identified by race/ethnicity.
For more detail on the revised model, see the CCSF Review Final Report.
The HECC’s method to allocate CCSF for general education programs to Oregon’s community college is described in the following statute and rule.