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.