Thank you for reading the Oregon statewide financial wellness blog series, from the Financial Empowerment Advisory Team.
Across Oregon, impressive things are happening to help put more people on the path to security, solvency, and success. Please let us know about news to include or events for our statewide calendar.
SCAM Jam In The Gorge
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that no matter where you live or how old you are, con-artists could take advantage of you and take your money. Consumer protection advocates took that message to The Dalles on Aug 2.
To help Oregonians better protect themselves, a collaboration featuring AARP Oregon, the Wasco County Sheriff’s office and several federal and state agencies hosted a free Oregon Scam Jam event at the Columbia Gorge Discover Center & Museum.
Scam Jams are designed to help the public learn how to fight back -- and spot crooks before they spot you, said Ellen Klem, who leads consumer protection efforts at the Oregon Department of Justice.
Other participating agencies were the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), the Construction Contractors Board, and the Department of Human Services.
Scam Jams are staged several times a year, across the state. Visit here to learn more.
Oregon Begins Laying Groundwork For Personal Finance Class
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has begun preparations following the passage of Senate Bill 3 during Oregon’s 2023 legislative session. The landmark legislation approved by state lawmakers this year will reinstate the state’s requirement that students earn a 0.5 credit in Personal Financial Education prior to graduation. Students will also need to earn a 0.5 credit in Higher Education and Career Path Skills starting with the class of 2027.
“We are in the early stages of implementation and thoughtfully planning and identifying the necessary components to implement the bill,” said Amit Kobrowski, social science content specialist for the agency and a member of Oregon Treasury’s Financial Empowerment Advisory Team.
According to the timeline, the agency will convene “content panels” to draft standards and also will seek feedback in the 2023-24 academic year. Most districts are expected to adopt the new requirements in the 2025-26 school year.
Information on the new requirements for Personal Financial Education and Higher Education and Career Path Skills are posted on the department’s Oregon Diploma webpage. A handy overview document was also created by ODOE to provide background information and information to common questions.
Additional information and opportunities for engagement will be forthcoming as ODOE works alongside the State Board of Education, districts and educational partners to implement the new requirements.
Have questions? Please email ODE.StateGraduationRequirements@ode.oregon.gov.
Statewide Financial Empowerment Advisory Team To Meet In November
The Financial Empowerment Advisory Team convenes once a quarter to encourage and highlight financial education, wellness, accessibility and equity. The meetings are open to the public.
The Nov. 8 meeting will include a presentation from the Department of Education about the implementation of personal finance class requirements in Oregon, and an update about potential expansion of the financial wellness resource hub on Oregon’s 211info service.
In addition, the meeting’s “spotlight” agenda item will focus on an effort to bolster financial education and counseling for schoolteachers and public workers in Oregon.
Financial wellness is an important dimension of wellbeing, together with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual-purpose wellness, said Theresa Cross, wellness manager at the Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB).
Helping Oregonians: Volunteer tax preparers sought for 2024 filing season
To help more people file and get money back, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), a Portland nonprofit, is looking for volunteers to provide tax preparation assistance through their CASH Oregon program.
“By providing free, high-quality tax preparation assistance, and culturally responsive outreach to communities likely to face barriers to accessing tax credits, MFS CASH Oregon helps low to moderate income families build strong, stable financial futures,” said Riley Eldredge, director.
During the 2023 tax season, the program helped more than 6,000 families across the state file their taxes and receive more than $9.1 million in refunds.
The nonprofit is seeking compassionate individuals to join its team of 250 volunteers, in a range of roles including interpretation services, greeting clients, and tax prep. No pre-existing knowledge is necessary: the nonprofit will provide training and support.
Learn more at cashoregon.org/volunteer.
Students Get Dose of Financial Reality In St. Helens
High school students in St. Helens got a firsthand look at money – from car buying to living on a budget – at a Financial Reality Fair on Oct. 17.
Credit unions across the state stage the events to help expose students to common financial challenges they will experience in adulthood. During the 90-minute lesson, students are given a mock persona and a salary figure, then must navigate housing, transportation, food, childcare costs, and other day-to-day bills.
Among the challenges: unexpected expenses and pushy car dealers, just as in real life.
“This is where it starts,” said Nathan Cox, president and chief executive at St. Helens-based in Roads Credit Union, “between conversations with students. There is a direct correlation between being financially healthy, and being mentally and physically healthy.”
The credit union hosts three such events each year for high school juniors, with companion fairs at Scappoose and Ranier high schools.
Interested in a financial reality fair in your community? Contact your local credit union or the GoWest Credit Union Association.
State of Oregon Happenings
Oregon Creates New Webpage for Financial Aid Resources
Students and parents are encouraged to check out a newly launched webpage from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission for resources, notifications, and other information surrounding the 2024-25 federal student aid and Oregon scholarship applications.
There is a delay with the upcoming 2024-25 FAFSA and ORSAA applications. Instead of the normal October 1 open date, the applications will open in December 2023. OSAC is staying up-to-date with all communications from Federal Student Aid regarding the FAFSA application and a finalized open date.
Also, for students attending community college, the Oregon Promise Grant application is now open for students who will graduate between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Deadline varies by graduation date. Please refer to this handout to determine the correct deadline.
All students only have one opportunity to apply for Oregon Promise, based on their graduation date. For most, the deadline is June 1.
If you have any questions or need application assistance, please email OregonPromise@hecc.oregon.gov.
Oregon Financial Empowerment Roundup
Oregon financial-focused nonprofits can list themselves for free as part of the searchable database in the 211info Financial Wellness portal, created in partnership with the Financial Empowerment Advisory Team.
The Oregon Bankers Association makes available an online Financial Education Guide with resources for bankers, educators and the public.
Oregon Department of Justice has updated its Wise Giving Guide, just in time for end-of-year and holiday giving.
On a similar note, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has released an alert on how to “Spot and stop dishonest charity fundraisers.”
Current, new and continuing students who are members of Oregon's 9 federally recognized tribes are encouraged to apply for the Oregon Tribal Student Grant for the 2023-24 academic year. See additional details including information on eligibility and how to apply.
What are warning signs to watch for with payday lenders? The Department of Business and ‘Consumer Services helps protect the public as part of its regulatory role.
More than 550,000 Oregonians will resume making payments on their student loans this fall. Organizations that work with borrowers are encouraged to check out this one-pager from the Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Division of Financial Regulation that shares key repayment information.
| Date |
Event |
Nov. 7 |
Oregon College Savings Plan webinar, 11 a.m. |
Nov. 7 |
Oregon ABLE Savings Plan webinar, 2 p.m. |
Nov. 8 |
Fraud Basics: The Scam Landscape & Staying Safe, AARP Oregon, East Portland |
Nov. 8 |
Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, 2 p.m., electronic meeting |
Nov. 17 |
Oregon Scam Jam, Medford https://events.aarp.org/SOScamJam |
Nov. 30 |
All of Us Community Conversation about Housing, 6 p.m., Eugene and virtual, Urban League of Portland |
Feb. 6 |
Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, 2 p.m., electronic meeting |
Feb. 15-18 |
Oregon/Western Business Education Association, Eugene |