Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant

Oregon’s DDPSO Grant serves natural, adopted, or stepchildren of qualifying public safety officers in the state who died or became permanently and totally disabled. Covered categories include police, fire, corrections, parole and probation, and youth-corrections officers. Applicants must be under 25 when applying and must not already hold a bachelor’s degree.

Applicants must also have been Oregon residents for at least the prior 12 months, enroll or plan to enroll at an institution eligible for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, and meet satisfactory academic progress. A supervisor or employer HR representative must complete the officer certification section; FAFSA alone is not enough.

The award cannot exceed the lesser of actual tuition and standard fees or $13,000 per academic year. State and federal grants reduce the amount, and support can last up to four years under program rules. It is not a $13,000 cash payment and may not cover total attendance costs; the college calculates the award.

The form is mailed to OSAC and requires supervisor or HR certification. File FAFSA or ORSAA for each funded year and respond early to campus verification requests. Ask how Pell and state grants reduce the final amount because the cap does not necessarily equal the payment received.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it renews annually, what GPA or course load it requires, and whom to contact if the student account does not show the payment. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application