Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
3 HOUSE BILL 3551 By: Maynard
4
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 3242, which relates to eligibility for
8 resident tuition; removing option to file application
or affidavit to receive resident tuition; requiring
9 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to verify
lawful presence through the SAVE Program; removing
10 outdated reference; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section
3242.2, which relates to eligibility for
11 postsecondary education benefits and resident
tuition; removing reference to ability to file
12 application or affidavit to receive resident tuition;
providing an effective date; and declaring an
13 emergency.
14
15
16 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
17 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242,
18 is amended to read as follows:
19 Section 3242. A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
20 Education may adopt a policy which allows a student to enroll
21 in an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
22 Education and allows a student to be eligible for resident
23 tuition if the student:
24
Req. No. 14155 Page 1
1 1. Graduated from a public or private high school in this
2 state; and
3 2. Resided in this state with a parent or legal guardian while
4 attending classes at a public or private high school in this state
5 for at least two (2) years prior to graduation.
6 B. To be eligible for the provisions of subsection A of this
7 section, an eligible student shall:
8 1. Satisfy admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma
9 State Regents for Higher Education for the appropriate type of
10 institution and have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an
11 institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education;
12 and
13 2. If the student cannot present Present to the State Regents
14 and the institution valid documentation of United States nationality
15 or an immigration status permitting study at a postsecondary
16 institution:
17 a. provide to the institution a copy of a true and
18 correct application or petition filed with the United
19 States Citizenship and Immigration Services to
20 legalize the student's immigration status, or
21 b. file an affidavit with the institution stating that
22 the student will file an application to legalize his
23 or her immigration status at the earliest opportunity
24
Req. No. 14155 Page 2
1 the student is eligible to do so, but in no case later
2 than:
3 (1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
4 enrolls for study at the institution, or
5 (2) if there is no formal process to permit children
6 of parents without lawful immigration status to
7 apply for lawful status without risk of
8 deportation, one (1) year after the date the
9 United States Citizenship and Immigration
10 Services provide such a formal process, and
11 c. if the student files an affidavit pursuant to
12 subparagraph b of this paragraph, present to the
13 institution a copy of a true and correct application
14 or petition filed with the United States Citizenship
15 and Immigration Services no later than:
16 (1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
17 enrolls for study at the institution, or
18 (2) if there is no formal process to permit children
19 of parents without lawful immigration status to
20 apply for lawful status without risk of
21 deportation, one (1) year after the date the
22 United States Citizenship and Immigration
23 Services provide such a formal process, which
24
Req. No. 14155 Page 3
1 copy shall be maintained in the institution's
2 records for that student.
3 C. Any student who completes the required criteria prescribed
4 in subsection A of this section, paragraph 1 of subsection B of this
5 section, and subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this
6 section shall not be disqualified on the basis of the student's
7 immigration status from any scholarships or financial aid provided
8 by this state.
9 D. The provisions of this section shall not impose any
10 additional conditions to maintain resident tuition status at a
11 postsecondary educational institution within The Oklahoma State
12 System of Higher Education on a student who was enrolled in a degree
13 program and first received such resident tuition status at that
14 institution during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year of
15 status as an alien lawfully present in the United States. The State
16 Regents shall verify a student's status as an alien lawfully present
17 in the United States through the federal Systematic Alien
18 Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
19 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242.2, is
20 amended to read as follows:
21 Section 3242.2. A. Except as otherwise provided in Section
22 3242 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, an An individual who is
23 not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on
24 the basis of residence within the state for:
Req. No. 14155 Page 4
1 1. Any postsecondary education benefit, including, but not
2 limited to, scholarships or financial aid; or
3 2. Resident tuition.
4 B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not
5 apply to a student enrolled in a degree program at a postsecondary
6 educational institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
7 Education during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year who
8 received a resident tuition benefit pursuant to Section 3242 of
9 Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes at that institution.
10 SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
11 SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
12 of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
13 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
14 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
15
16 60-2-14155 AQH 12/01/25
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Req. No. 14155 Page 5Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.