Bill > HB1282

This bill renames the Oklahoma State Regents' Academic Scholars Act to the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award Act, updating the name throughout existing statutes. The bill modifies the state's scholarship program to retain top Oklahoma students, attract high-achieving in-state and out-of-state students, and enhance academic quality in Oklahoma colleges. Eligible students include those with exceptional test scores (99.5-100 percentile), Presidential Scholars, National Merit Scholars and Finalists, and Institutional Nominees with strong academic achievements. The scholarship can cover up to five years of undergraduate and/or graduate study, including enrollment fees, tuition, room and board, and required textbooks. For students at public Oklahoma institutions, the total scholarship funding is limited to the costs at their specific institution, while students at private institutions will receive funding comparable to the highest-cost public institution of similar type. The bill also introduces new provisions for tuition waivers, particularly for Institutional Nominees, and allows for scholarship portability between institutions in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, with some limitations. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will continue to administer the program, with the ability to establish different scholarship levels and set rules for ongoing eligibility, such as maintaining a minimum grade point average and credit hours. The act will become effective on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause to ensure immediate implementation.

Budget and Finance, Education

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1282&Session=2600