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1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
2
3 SENATE BILL 1615 By: Frix
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to the Oklahoma Higher Learning
7 Access Program; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603,
8 as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 485, O.S.L.
8 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 2603), which
9 relates to eligibility requirements; conforming
9 language; updating statutory language; providing
10 eligibility for children of certified administrators;
10 updating statutory reference; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
11 Section 2605, as last amended by Section 2, Chapter
11 485, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 2605),
12 which relates to student agreements; providing
12 eligibility for children of certified administrators
13 who apply beginning in certain school year; defining
13 term; repealing 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, as last
14 amended by Section 7, Chapter 277, O.S.L. 2025 (70
14 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 2603), which relates to
15 eligibility requirements; providing an effective
15 date; and declaring an emergency.
16
16
17
17
18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
18
19 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, as
19
20 last amended by Section 1, Chapter 485, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp.
20
21 2025, Section 2603), is amended to read as follows:
21
22 Section 2603. A. Except as otherwise provided for in
22
23 subsection B of this section and elsewhere in this section, to be
23
24 eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 1
1 Program and to qualify for an award which includes payment of an
1
2 amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition pursuant to
2
3 Section 2604 of this title for the first semester or other academic
3
4 unit of postsecondary enrollment, a student shall:
4
5 1. Be a resident of this state or be enrolled in a school
5
6 district located in this state that serves students who reside in
6
7 both this state and an adjacent state pursuant to a contract as
7
8 authorized in Section 5-117.1 of this title;
8
9 2. Be a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United
9
10 States. A student who is not a United States citizen or lawfully
10
11 present in the United States shall not be eligible to participate in
11
12 the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an
12
13 award notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3242 of this title.
13
14 The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who
14
15 was enrolled in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program prior to
15
16 the end of the 2006-2007 school year;
16
17 3. Have a record of satisfactory compliance with agreements
17
18 executed pursuant to Section 2605 of this title;
18
19 4. a. Have graduated within the previous three (3) years
19
20 from a high school accredited by the State Board of
20
21 Education or the Oklahoma School of Science and
21
22 Mathematics with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point
22
23 average on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted in
23
24 grades nine through twelve,
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 2
1 b. Have graduated within the previous three (3) years
1
2 from a high school not accredited by the State Board
2
3 of Education with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point
3
4 average on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted in
4
5 grades nine through twelve and have achieved a
5
6 composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT test or an
6
7 equivalent score on the Scholastic Assessment Test
7
8 (SAT) or Classic Learning Test (CLT) as determined by
8
9 the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, or
9
10 c. Have satisfactorily completed within the previous
10
11 three (3) years an educational program that was
11
12 provided through a means other than a public or
12
13 private school and have achieved a composite score of
13
14 22 or higher on the ACT test or an equivalent score on
14
15 the SAT or CLT as determined by the Oklahoma State
15
16 Regents for Higher Education;
16
17 5. Have completed the curricular requirements for admission to
17
18 an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education
18
19 or have completed the core curriculum and be seeking admission to a
19
20 technology center school overseen by the State Board of Career and
20
21 Technology Education. Students shall also have attained a 2.5 grade
21
22 point average in the core curriculum courses. Students who attended
22
23 a high school which did not offer all the core curriculum courses or
23
24 students who were educated by other means and were not offered all
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 3
1 the core curriculum courses shall be allowed to satisfy this
1
2 curriculum requirement by participating in a program approved by the
2
3 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for remediation of high
3
4 school curricular deficiencies;
4
5 6. Have satisfied admission standards as determined by the
5
6 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for first-time-entering
6
7 students for the appropriate type of institution, or, if attending a
7
8 private institution, have satisfied admission standards as
8
9 determined by the private institution. No student participating in
9
10 the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program shall be admitted into
10
11 an institution of higher education by special admission standards;
11
12 7. Have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an institution
12
13 which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education,
13
14 a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology
14
15 center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal
15
16 student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning
16
17 located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of
17
18 this title; and
18
19 8. a. Have established financial need according to the
19
20 provisions of subsection D of Section 2605 of this
20
21 title and standards and provisions promulgated by the
21
22 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,
22
23 b. If the student was adopted between birth and twelve
23
24 (12) years of age while in the permanent custody of
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 4
1 the Department of Human Services, in the court-ordered
1
2 custody of a licensed private nonprofit child-placing
2
3 agency, or federally recognized Indian tribe, as
3
4 defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of
4
5 1978, have established financial need according to the
5
6 provisions of paragraph 1 of subsection E of Section
6
7 2605 of this title and standards and provisions
7
8 promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
8
9 Education,
9
10 c. If the student was adopted between thirteen (13) and
10
11 seventeen (17) years of age while in the permanent
11
12 custody of the Department of Human Services, in the
12
13 court-ordered custody of a licensed private nonprofit
13
14 child-placing agency, or federally recognized Indian
14
15 tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare
15
16 Act of 1978, have established financial need according
16
17 to the provisions of paragraph 2 of subsection E of
17
18 Section 2605 of this title and standards and
18
19 provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents
19
20 for Higher Education,
20
21 d. If the student was placed in the custody of the
21
22 Department of Human Services at any time during the
22
23 eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh grade and enrolls in
23
24 the program no later than his or her official date of
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 5
1 high school graduation, have established financial
1
2 need according to the provisions of paragraph 3 of
2
3 subsection E of Section 2605 of this title and
3
4 standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma
4
5 State Regents for Higher Education, or
5
6 e. If the student is the child of a certified classroom
6
7 teacher or certified administrator and meets the
7
8 provisions of paragraph 5 of subsection E of Section
8
9 2605 of this title. For the purposes of this
9
10 paragraph, "certified classroom teacher" and
10
11 "certified administrator" shall have the same meaning
11
12 meanings as provided in subparagraph d of paragraph 5
12
13 of subsection E of Section 2605 of this title.
13
14 B. 1. A student shall be eligible to participate in the
14
15 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award
15
16 which includes payment of an amount equivalent to resident tuition
16
17 or other tuition pursuant to Section 2604 of this title for the
17
18 first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment if
18
19 the student meets all of the following criteria:
19
20 a. is a child of any person killed after January 1, 2000,
20
21 in the line of duty in any branch of the United States
21
22 Armed Forces or who died after January 1, 2000, as a
22
23 result of an injury sustained while in the line of
23
24 duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 6
1 and the person who was killed or died filed an
1
2 individual or joint Oklahoma income tax return for the
2
3 tax year prior to the year during which the person was
3
4 killed or died,
4
5 b. is a resident of this state or is enrolled in a school
5
6 district located in this state that serves students
6
7 who reside in both this state and an adjacent state
7
8 pursuant to a contract as authorized in Section 5-
8
9 117.1 of this title,
9
10 c. enrolls in an institution within The Oklahoma State
10
11 System of Higher Education prior to reaching the age
11
12 of twenty-one (21),
12
13 d. has satisfied admission standards as determined by the
13
14 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for first-
14
15 time-entering students for the appropriate type of
15
16 institution, or, if attending a private institution,
16
17 has satisfied admission standards as determined by the
17
18 private institution. No student participating in the
18
19 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program shall be
19
20 admitted into an institution of higher education by
20
21 special admission standards,
21
22 e. has secured admission to, and enrolled in, an
22
23 institution which is a member of The Oklahoma State
23
24 System of Higher Education, a postsecondary
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 7
1 vocational-technical program offered by a technology
1
2 center school that meets the requirements to be
2
3 eligible for federal student financial aid, or a
3
4 private institution of higher learning located within
4
5 this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of
5
6 this title, and
6
7 f. executes an agreement pursuant to subsection C of
7
8 Section 2605 of this title.
8
9 2. A student who is eligible to participate in the program
9
10 pursuant to this subsection shall not be required to meet the
10
11 eligibility requirements set forth in subsection A of this section.
11
12 C. To retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher
12
13 learning in which enrolled, the student shall:
13
14 1. Meet the requirements for retention and degree completion as
14
15 established by the institution in which the student is enrolled;
15
16 2. Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory academic
16
17 progress according to standards of the Oklahoma State Regents for
17
18 Higher Education;
18
19 3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as required for
19
20 eligibility for federal Title IV of the Higher Education Act of
20
21 1965, 20 U.S.C., Section 1070 et seq., student financial aid
21
22 programs. The provisions of this paragraph shall become effective
22
23 for the 2012-2013 school year;
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 8
1 4. Comply with the standards related to maintenance of
1
2 eligibility as promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
2
3 Education; and
3
4 5. Refrain from conduct that leads to expulsion or suspension
4
5 of more than one semester from an institution of higher education.
5
6 A student who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall
6
7 permanently lose eligibility for program benefits. The provisions
7
8 of this paragraph shall become effective January 1, 2008.
8
9 D. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the
9
10 State Board of Career and Technology Education shall promulgate
10
11 rules relating to maintenance of eligibility under the Oklahoma
11
12 Higher Learning Access Act by a student.
12
13 E. It is the intent of the Legislature that students in the
13
14 ninth grade for the 1992-93 1992-1993 school year who are determined
14
15 to be eligible Oklahoma Higher Learning Access students pursuant to
15
16 the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act shall be the first students
16
17 eligible for benefits from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust
17
18 Fund.
18
19 F. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are
19
20 authorized to study, develop, and propose criteria for determining
20
21 award eligibility based upon the completion of seven semesters of
21
22 high school coursework by a student.
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 9
1 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2605, as
1
2 last amended by Section 2, Chapter 485, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp.
2
3 2025, Section 2605), is amended to read as follows:
3
4 Section 2605. A. Each school year, every fifth- through
4
5 eleventh-grade student in the public and private schools of this
5
6 state and students who are educated by other means and are in the
6
7 equivalent of the fifth through eleventh grade shall be apprised,
7
8 together with the parent, custodial parent, or guardian of the
8
9 student, of the opportunity for access to higher learning under the
9
10 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The Oklahoma State Regents
10
11 for Higher Education and the State Board of Education shall develop,
11
12 promote, and coordinate a public awareness program to be utilized in
12
13 making students and parents aware of the Oklahoma Higher Learning
13
14 Access Program.
14
15 B. On a form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
15
16 Education, every public school district shall designate at least one
16
17 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program contact person, who shall be
17
18 a counselor or teacher, at each public school site in this state in
18
19 which eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade classes are taught.
19
20 When requested by the State Regents, the State Board of Education
20
21 shall assist the State Regents to ensure the designation of contact
21
22 persons. Private schools shall also designate at least one school
22
23 official as a contact person. For students who are educated by
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 10
1 other means, a parent or guardian or other person approved by the
1
2 State Regents shall be designated the contact person.
2
3 C. 1. Students who qualify on the basis of financial need
3
4 according to subsection D or E of this section or who meet the
4
5 eligibility qualification set forth in subparagraph a of paragraph 1
5
6 of subsection B of Section 2603 of this title no later than December
6
7 31 of their twelfth-grade year or prior to reaching the age of
7
8 seventeen (17) and who qualify on the basis of the standards and
8
9 provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
9
10 Education shall be given the opportunity throughout the eighth-,
10
11 ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade years and no later than December
11
12 31 of the twelfth-grade year, for students enrolled in a public or
12
13 private school, or between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen
13
14 (17), for students who are educated by other means, to enter into
14
15 participation in the program by agreeing to, throughout the
15
16 remainder of their school years or educational program:
16
17 a. attend school or an educational program regularly and
17
18 do homework regularly,
18
19 b. refrain from substance abuse,
19
20 c. refrain from commission of crimes or delinquent acts,
20
21 d. have school work and school records reviewed by
21
22 mentors designated pursuant to the program,
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 11
1 e. provide information requested by the Oklahoma State
1
2 Regents for Higher Education or the State Board of
2
3 Education, and
3
4 f. participate in program activities.
4
5 2. Students who meet the eligibility qualification set forth in
5
6 subparagraph a of paragraph 1 of subsection B of Section 2603 of
6
7 this title after December 31 of their twelfth-grade year or after
7
8 reaching the age of eighteen (18) shall be given the opportunity
8
9 prior to reaching the age of twenty-one (21) to enter into
9
10 participation in the program and shall execute an agreement with
10
11 provisions as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
11
12 Education.
12
13 3. The contact person shall maintain the agreements, which
13
14 shall be executed on forms provided by the Oklahoma State Regents
14
15 for Higher Education and managed according to regulations
15
16 promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and
16
17 the contact person shall monitor compliance of the student with the
17
18 terms of the agreement. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
18
19 Education are authorized to process student agreements and verify
19
20 compliance with the agreements. Students failing to comply with the
20
21 terms of the agreement shall not be eligible for the awards provided
21
22 in Section 2604 of this title.
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 12
1 4. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may provide
1
2 an exception to the age limits provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of
2
3 this subsection pursuant to subsection L of this section.
3
4 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5-132 and 5-132.1
4
5 of this title, a student who is age twenty-one (21) or older shall
5
6 not be eligible to enter into participation in the program.
6
7 D. Except as otherwise provided for in subsection E of this
7
8 section and except for students who qualify pursuant to subsection B
8
9 of Section 2603 of this title, a student shall not be found to be in
9
10 financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access
10
11 Program if:
11
12 1. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, or tenth-grade students who
12
13 are enrolled in a public or private school or students between the
13
14 ages of thirteen (13) and fifteen (15) who are educated by other
14
15 means who apply for participation in the program in the 2017-2018
15
16 school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
16
17 parent(s) exceeds Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) per year;
17
18 2. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade
18
19 students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students
19
20 between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated
20
21 by other means who apply for participation in the program in the
21
22 2021-2022 school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the
22
23 student's parent(s) exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per
23
24 year;
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 13
1 3. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade
1
2 students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students
2
3 between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated
3
4 by other means who apply for participation in the program in the
4
5 2022-2023 school year:
5
6 a. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
6
7 parent(s), who have two or fewer dependent children,
7
8 exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year,
8
9 b. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
9
10 parent(s), who have three or four dependent children,
10
11 exceeds Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per
11
12 year, or
12
13 c. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
13
14 parent(s), who have five or more dependent children,
14
15 exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year;
15
16 4. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade
16
17 students or twelfth-grade students no later than December 31 of
17
18 their twelfth-grade year who are enrolled in a public or private
18
19 school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen
19
20 (17) who are educated by other means who apply for participation in
20
21 the program in the 2025-2026 school year:
21
22 a. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
22
23 parent(s), who have two or fewer dependent children,
23
24 exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year,
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 14
1 b. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
1
2 parent(s), who have three or four dependent children,
2
3 exceeds Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per
3
4 year, or
4
5 c. the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
5
6 parent(s), who have five or more dependent children,
6
7 exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year;
7
8 5. Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, prior to
8
9 receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award
9
10 for any year during which the student is enrolled in an institution
10
11 which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education,
11
12 a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology
12
13 center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal
13
14 student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning
14
15 located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of
15
16 this title, the federal adjusted gross income of the student's
16
17 parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per
17
18 year.
18
19 The determination of financial qualification as set forth in
19
20 this paragraph shall be based on the income of the student, not the
20
21 income of the parent(s), if a student:
21
22 a. is determined to be independent of the student's
22
23 parents for federal financial aid purposes,
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 15
1 b. was in the permanent custody of the Department of
1
2 Human Services at the time the student enrolled in the
2
3 program, or
3
4 c. was in the court-ordered custody of a federally
4
5 recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal
5
6 Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, at the time the
6
7 student enrolled in the program.
7
8 The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to any student who
8
9 has received an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit
9
10 award after the 2017-2018 school year; and
10
11 6. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall review
11
12 the determination of financial qualification as set forth in
12
13 paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this subsection if the income from
13
14 taxable and nontaxable sources of the student's parent(s) includes
14
15 income received from nontaxable military benefits or income received
15
16 from the federal Social Security Administration due to the death or
16
17 disability of the student's parent(s). If the income from taxable
17
18 and nontaxable sources of the student's parent(s), excluding income
18
19 received from nontaxable military benefits or income received from
19
20 the federal Social Security Administration due to the death or
20
21 disability of the student's parent(s), does not exceed the
21
22 limitations set forth by paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this
22
23 subsection, the student shall be determined to have met the
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 16
1 financial qualification set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of
1
2 this subsection.
2
3 E. 1. A student who was adopted between birth and twelve (12)
3
4 years of age while in the permanent custody of the Department of
4
5 Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a licensed private
5
6 nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally recognized Indian
6
7 tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978,
7
8 shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the
8
9 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the time the student
9
10 begins postsecondary education and prior to receiving any Oklahoma
10
11 Higher Learning Access Program benefit award, the federal adjusted
11
12 gross income of the student's parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Fifty
12
13 Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) per year. The provisions of this
13
14 paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an
14
15 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the
15
16 2012-2013 school year.
16
17 2. A student who was adopted between thirteen (13) and
17
18 seventeen (17) years of age while in the permanent custody of the
18
19 Department of Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a
19
20 licensed private nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally
20
21 recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child
21
22 Welfare Act of 1978, shall not be found to be in financial need for
22
23 purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the
23
24 time the student begins postsecondary education and prior to
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 17
1 receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award,
1
2 the federal adjusted gross income of the student's parent(s) exceeds
2
3 Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year. The provisions
3
4 of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an
4
5 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the
5
6 2012-2013 school year.
6
7 3. A student who was placed in the custody of the Department of
7
8 Human Services at any time during the eighth, ninth, tenth, or
8
9 eleventh grade and enrolls in the program no later than his or her
9
10 official date of high school graduation shall not be found to be in
10
11 financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access
11
12 Program if the federal adjusted gross income of the student exceeds
12
13 Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year.
13
14 4. Except for students who qualify pursuant to subsection B of
14
15 Section 2603 of this title, the determination of financial
15
16 qualification as set forth in this subsection shall be based on the
16
17 income of the student, not the income of the parent(s), if the
17
18 student is determined to be independent of the student's parent(s)
18
19 for federal financial aid purposes. A determination of financial
19
20 qualification shall not be required for the student who meets the
20
21 criteria set forth in this subsection at the time the student
21
22 applies for participation in the program. The provisions of this
22
23 paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an
23
24
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 18
1 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the
1
2 2008-2009 school year.
2
3 5. a. A student who is the child of a certified classroom
3
4 teacher or certified administrator at the time the
4
5 student applies for participation in the Oklahoma
5
6 Higher Learning Access Program shall not be found to
6
7 be in financial need for the purposes of the Oklahoma
7
8 Higher Learning Access Program if, beginning with
8
9 eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade students or
9
10 twelfth-grade students no later than December 31 of
10
11 their twelfth-grade year who are enrolled in a public
11
12 or private school or students between thirteen (13)
12
13 and seventeen (17) years of age who are educated by
13
14 other means who apply for participation in the program
14
15 in the 2025-2026 school year if the students are
15
16 children of a certified classroom teacher or who apply
16
17 for participation in the program in the 2026-2027
17
18 school year if the students are children of a
18
19 certified administrator, the household income of the
19
20 student's parent(s) is equal to or greater than seven
20
21 hundred percent (700%) of the federal poverty level
21
22 (FPL).
22
23 b. Prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access
23
24 Program benefit award for any year during which the
24
Req. No. 2444 Page 19
1 student is enrolled in an institution that is a member
1
2 of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a
2
3 postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by
3
4 a technology center school that meets the eligibility
4
5 requirements for federal student financial aid, or a
5
6 private institution of higher learning located within
6
7 this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of
7
8 this title, the household income of the parent(s) of a
8
9 student who qualifies pursuant to this paragraph shall
9
10 not be equal to or greater than seven hundred percent
10
11 (700%) of the federal poverty level (FPL).
11
12 c. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall
12
13 verify the full-time employment status of the
13
14 student's parent(s) prior to a student who qualifies
14
15 pursuant to this paragraph receiving any Oklahoma
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16 Higher Learning Access Program benefit award.
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17 d. For the purposes of this paragraph,:
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18 (1) "certified classroom teacher" means a certified,
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19 full-time classroom teacher who has been employed
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20 as a teacher in a public school district
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21 classroom in this state for a minimum of ten (10)
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22 years prior to his or her child applying for
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23 participation in the program. The teacher is not
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24 required to have been employed by the same public
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1 school district for ten (10) consecutive years.
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2 Certified classroom teacher does not mean a
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3 certified teacher who is employed as a school
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4 district superintendent, principal, or any other
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5 position within the administration of a public
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6 school district when his or her child applies for
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7 participation in the program or prior to his or
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8 her child receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning
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9 Access Program benefit award, and
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10 (2) "certified administrator" means a certified,
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11 full-time superintendent or principal who has
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12 been employed as a certified classroom teacher, a
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13 superintendent, or a principal for a minimum of
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14 ten (10) years prior to his or her child applying
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15 for participation in the program. The
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16 administrator is not required to have been
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17 employed by the same public school district for
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18 ten (10) consecutive years.
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19 F. The financial qualification of a student as set forth in
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20 subsections D and E of this section shall be certified by the
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21 contact person or by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
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22 on the agreement form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for
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23 Higher Education. The form shall be retained in the permanent
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1 record of the student and a copy forwarded to the Oklahoma State
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2 Regents for Higher Education.
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3 G. Agreements shall be witnessed by the parent, custodial
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4 parent, or guardian of the student, who shall further agree to:
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5 1. Assist the student in achieving compliance with the
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6 agreements;
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7 2. Confer, when requested to do so, with the school contact
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8 person, other school personnel, and program mentors;
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9 3. Provide information requested by the Oklahoma State Regents
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10 for Higher Education or the State Board of Education; and
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11 4. Assist the student in completing forms and reports required
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12 for program participation, making applications to institutions and
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13 schools of higher learning, and filing applications for student
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14 grants and scholarships.
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15 H. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall
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16 promulgate rules for the determination of student compliance with
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17 agreements made pursuant to this section.
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18 I. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall
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19 designate personnel to coordinate tracking of program records for
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20 the years when students participating in the program are still in
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21 the schools or are being educated by other means, provide staff
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22 development for contact persons in the schools, and provide liaison
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23 with the State Board of Education and local organizations and
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24 individuals participating in the program.
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1 J. The school district where an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access
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2 Program student is enrolled when the student begins participation in
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3 the program and any subsequent school district where the student
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4 enrolls shall forward information regarding participation by the
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5 student in the program to a school to which the student transfers
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6 upon the request of the school for the records of the student.
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7 K. Students participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning
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8 Access Program shall provide their Social Security number or their
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9 student identification number used by their school to the Oklahoma
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10 State Regents for Higher Education. The State Regents shall keep
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11 the numbers confidential and use them only for administrative
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12 purposes.
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13 L. The State Regents may provide an exception to the age limits
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14 provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection C of this section
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15 to a student due to hardship circumstances and allow an application
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16 to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program for twelfth-grade
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17 students enrolled in a public or private school and students who are
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18 educated by other means and are in the equivalent of twelfth grade.
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19 Provided, however, the exception due to hardship circumstances shall
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20 not apply to:
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21 1. A student enrolled in a public or private school after the
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22 student's official date of high school graduation;
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23 2. A student educated by other means who is age nineteen (19)
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24 or older; or
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Req. No. 2444 Page 23
1 3. Any student who is age twenty-one (21) or older.
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2 The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall promulgate
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3 rules to implement the provisions of this subsection.
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4 SECTION 3. REPEALER 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, as last
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5 amended by Section 7, Chapter 277, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025,
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6 Section 2603), is hereby repealed.
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7 SECTION 4. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
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8 SECTION 5. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
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9 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
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10 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
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11 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
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Req. No. 2444 Page 24Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.