Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)

Start a new scholarship or check on the status of your existing scholarship

JOBS Plus Program
More Information About Your IEA Funds

The Individual Education Account (IEA) was created as a section of Ballot Measure 7 passed by a vote of the people of Oregon in 1990. The measure created the JOBS Plus Program. The statute (ORS 411.894(1)) states "The Oregon JOBS Plus Individual Education Account is established in order to improve the position of JOBS Plus participants in the workforce by increasing their access to continuing education." Since then, thousands of people have participated in the JOBS Plus Program and have benefited from the opportunity to further their education and work skills.

Eligibility to participate in the JOBS Plus program is determined by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). Recipients of The Aid to Needy Families (TANF) benefits and Food Stamps may qualify. To find out if you are eligible, please contact the office of the Oregon Department of Human Services closest to your residence address. The Oregon Student Assistance Commission can not determine eligibility, and only works with the program after the participant has completed their temporary job rotation and the Individual Education Account is transferred to us from DHS.

I just received my JOBS Plus letter from OSAC, now what do I do?

Read this notice.
List the family members who may also use your funds (as described below).
Sign, date, and return your letter to OSAC right away.
When OSAC receives your signed letter, we will send a payment authorization voucher to you.
Keep your voucher until you are ready to pay your educational expenses.
When you're ready, take your voucher to the school or training facility.
Sign and date the voucher and turn it over to the school for redemption as if you were paying them.
The school or training facility will complete the bottom portion of the voucher and bill OSAC for your expenses.
Any amount remaining in your IEA after OSAC pays the school or facility will be sent to you in the form of a balance payment authorization voucher. No cash is ever refunded.

Who can use the IEA funds I earned in the JOBS Plus Program?

You decide which family members may use your funds by listing their name, age, social security number, and their relationship to you on your letter before you return it to OSAC. If you do not provide us with a social security number, we will not list the family member on your voucher. Immediate family members are defined as your father, mother, sister, brother, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, or stepchild.

Your IEA will expire five years from the date of the award letter OSAC sent you.
Eligible family members you list must be college age now or during the five years your account is active.

What will my IEA funds pay for?

Training and instruction that will help enhance your employability, help you gain new skills needed for your current job, or help you gain the skills you need to get a better job.
A specialized license such as a real estate license, a license to sell insurance, or a Construction Contractor's Board (CCB) license.
Fees (testing, student body, lab, certification, processing, etc.).
Books and supplies limited to the text or materials required to complete the course or training.
GED instruction and testing at a postsecondary institution only (beyond high school).

Where can I use my voucher?

IEA funds must be used for postsecondary education (beyond high school). Most payment authorization vouchers are used at two or four-year colleges and trade schools. You may also use your voucher to attend seminars, workshops, and continuing education classes related to your current job. Payment vouchers may be used in other states too.

Do not make or keep copies of your voucher.

Only one voucher is active at all times. You will only receive a new voucher when you have redeemed the previous one for payment. Anytime you misplace your payment voucher or your original award letter, call OSAC.

Questions?

If you have any questions about your scholarship, please call or email jobsplus@osac.state.or.us at OSAC.

Oregon Student Assistance Commission
Grants and Scholarships Division
1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100
Eugene OR 97401
(541) 687-7443 - Eugene/Springfield area
(800) 452-8807, ext. 7443 - Toll-free
(541) 687-7414 - Fax