All Oregon college students with financial need would get some state aid under a plan put forward by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission at its August meeting.

The plan is highlighted in a story in The Oregonian on Aug. 15. It notes that the funding proposal is the first one to bring all the state’s universities and community colleges and its financial aid organization together in a single budget request.

The proposal would boost spending on college financial aid by $66 million. That would be enough to provide each college student enough aid to close the gap between what they can afford and the cost of attendance, including room and board.

Universities and community colleges also asked the commission to recommend an increase of more than 20 percent in their state funding. Gov. John Kitzhaber has asked that requests for higher funding not exceed 20 percent.

A story on the budget request is posted on Around the O.