GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Grants Pass School District 7 (GPSD) and the Rogue Community College (RCC) Foundation have announced a new partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Grants Pass students.
In this groundbreaking collaboration, GPSD is transferring approximately 350 acres of land on Stringer Gap Road, valued at over $1 million, to the RCC Foundation. In exchange, the RCC Foundation will provide scholarships to cover the cost of RCC college classes for GPSD students for the foreseeable future. This agreement received approval from both governing boards earlier this week.
The RCC Foundation plans to sell the donated land and use the proceeds to establish an endowment fund. This fund will finance tuition scholarships for GPSD students, growing over time to ensure the availability of scholarships in perpetuity. Beginning this fall, the RCC Foundation will award $20,000 in annual tuition scholarships for GPSD students. This amount is set to increase during the 2029-30 academic year as the endowment matures.
“By creating a sustainable scholarship fund, many more students will have the opportunity to earn college credits and pursue higher education without financial barriers,” said GPSD Superintendent Tim Sweeney. “This partnership is a testament to the power of creative and collaborative solutions in education. By leveraging resources and working together, we’re making a significant investment in the future of our students and our community.”
Currently, GPSD funds college-level courses for its students from the general fund. In the 2023-24 academic year alone, GPSD high school students earned 1,810 college credits through RCC. The new initiative will enable even more students to earn college credits while still in high school, with the aim of encouraging many of them to continue their education at RCC after graduation.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with the Grants Pass School District,” said RCC President Dr. Randy Weber. “GPSD is currently our largest partner in dual credit delivery, and this new initiative will only strengthen our relationship. We are excited about this innovative strategy that aligns perfectly with our institutional goal of increasing access to higher education. By providing sustainable scholarship opportunities, we are opening doors for many more students to achieve their academic dreams and contribute positively to our community’s future.”
This partnership highlights the commitment of both institutions to fostering educational growth and providing students with the resources needed to succeed academically and beyond.
