Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: February 12, 2009
Senator David Myers
Myers Works to Improve Access to OHLAP
Program
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a measure
Wednesday that could provide tuition assistance to more Oklahoma
students. SB 354, by Sen. David
Myers, would expand the OHLAP program by allowing the income
requirement to be based on a family’s yearly salary or a
three-year average.
“This is an effort to not exclude those students whose parents
might have a great year and make a little over $50,000 when their
child is trying to qualify for the program," said Myers.
"I had a situation in my district where the tax rebate check
pushed a family over the limit and their child became ineligible
for the program. However, if we would have had the three year
average in place that wouldn't have happened."
Currently, only those students’ whose parents make less
than $50,000 a year are eligible for the program. Under Myers'
bill, the income level would still have to be below $50,000 but
it could be based on a three-year average.
"This is just a minor tweak to OHLAP's income requirements.
We're not increasing the income level. This is just a little cushion
to help those families whose incomes are close to the limit,"
said Myers. "Students shouldn't get punished because their
parents happen to make a little more money than normal one year."
SB 354 will now go before the full Senate for further consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Myers' Office: 405-521-5628
