Bill
Bill > HB1727
OK HB1727
OK HB1727Higher education; Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; eligibility for children of certain teachers; effective date; emergency.
summary
Introduced
02/03/2025
02/03/2025
In Committee
04/23/2025
04/23/2025
Crossed Over
03/10/2025
03/10/2025
Passed
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 274, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 2603), which relates to eligibility requirements; providing eligibility for children of certified classroom teachers; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2605, as last amended by Section 2, Chapter 274, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 2605), which relates to student agreements; updating statutory references; extending time period for eligible students to enter into an agreement to participate in the program; allowing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to provide an exception to certain age limits; prohibiting students who are certain age or older from being eligible to enter into participation; providing income eligibility for certain students who apply for participation beginning in certain school year; finding students of certified classroom teachers to not have financial need if household income is over certain percentage of the federal poverty level; requiring parent household income be below certain percentage of the federal poverty level during the program; requiring the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to verify parent employment status; defining term; allowing the State Regents to provide an exception to certain age limits under certain circumstances; requiring State Regents promulgate rules; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program
AI Summary
This bill modifies the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to expand eligibility for students who are children of certified classroom teachers. The bill updates several key provisions, including allowing students to enter the program no later than December 31 of their twelfth-grade year (instead of prior to entering eleventh grade), adjusting age limits, and creating a new financial need qualification for children of certified classroom teachers. Specifically, for the 2025-2026 school year, children of certified classroom teachers can qualify for the program if their household income is at or above 700% of the federal poverty level, which is different from previous income-based eligibility requirements. A "certified classroom teacher" is defined as a full-time public school classroom teacher who has been employed for at least ten years, excluding administrative positions. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will be required to verify the parent's employment status and can provide exceptions to certain age limits under hardship circumstances. The bill aims to create more opportunities for children of long-serving classroom teachers to access higher education funding, while maintaining the program's overall structure of promoting college access for students who meet specific academic and financial criteria.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (22)
Anthony Moore (R)*,
Adam Pugh (R)*,
Arturo Alonso-Sandoval (D),
Nick Archer (R),
Jared Deck (D),
Emily Gise (R),
Erick Harris (R),
Toni Hasenbeck (R),
Carri Hicks (D),
Brian Hill (R),
Mark Mann (D),
Michelle McCane (D),
Cyndi Munson (D),
Roland Pederson (R),
Ellen Pogemiller (D),
Melissa Provenzano (D),
Trish Ranson (D),
Jacob Rosecrants (D),
Tammy Townley (R),
John Waldron (D),
Tammy West (R),
Max Wolfley (R),
Last Action
Approved by Governor 06/10/2025 (on 05/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...