Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: April 2, 2009
Sen. David Myers
Senate Committee Passes Bill Extending OHLAP Scholarship Program
Hundreds of more Oklahoma students could be eligible
for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), also
known as Oklahoma’s Promise, under legislation approved
Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. David
Myers is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2249 expanding
the eligibility requirements for the state’s free tuition
program.
“It’s more important than ever in these hard economic
times that we do all we can to help Oklahoma families be able
to send their kids to college. This is something that not only
benefits the scholarship recipients but the entire state when
those students become working adults earning far more than they
probably ever could have without a degree,” said Myers.
Currently, only those children whose family annual income is below
$50,000 are eligible for the program. HB 2249 would allow applicants’
parents to use $43,000 in adjusted gross income and would also
adjust based on family size. Therefore, the children in a family
of four with an adjusted gross income of $57,000 would qualify,
as would children in a family of six with an adjusted gross income
of $64,000. Families would also be allowed to use a three-year
average of their annual income in order to qualify for the program.
“Larger families have more expenses than smaller ones and,
therefore, their money doesn’t stretch as far, but their
children shouldn’t suffer for it and miss out on this incredible
opportunity that will positively impact their lives,” said
Myers. “By using a sliding income scale and accounting for
family size, hundreds more middle-income Oklahoma families will
be able to benefit from this tremendous program.”
It is estimated that HB 2249 would increase the number of eligible
students by 1,100 in 2013.
The measure now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Myers' Office: 405-521-5628
