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An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2888 By: Townley of the House
and
Reinhardt of the Senate
An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 2632, which relates to Oklahoma Tuition
Equalization Grant eligibility requirements;
modifying certain eligibility requirement; deleting
certain institutions from list of eligible
institutions; and providing an effective date.
SUBJECT: Higher education
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2632, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 2632. A. To be eligible for an Oklahoma Tuition
Equalization Grant, a student shall:
1. Be an Oklahoma resident as defined by the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education;
2. Have enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in an
eligible institution of higher education as prescribed in subsection
D of this section;
3. Meet the income eligibility level, which is the student's
parents' income from taxable and nontaxable sources which shall not
be more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) per year or the
student's income if the student is independent and self-supporting
as determined by the State Regents consistent with federal financial
aid regulations;
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4. Pay more tuition than is required at a comparable public
institution of higher education and pay no less than the regular
tuition required of all students enrolled at the institution where
the student is enrolled; and
5. Maintain at least minimum standards of academic performance
as required by the enrolling institution.
B. The enrolling institution shall forward a completed student
application, documentation of full-time enrollment status, and
certification of resident status to the State Regents no later than
October 15 for the fall semester and March 15 for the spring
semester of each academic year.
C. Subject to the availability of funds in the Oklahoma Tuition
Equalization Grant Trust Fund, an Oklahoma Tuition Equalization
Grant in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) per academic
year, or One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per academic semester
shall be awarded by the State Regents by allocation from the
Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant Trust Fund, beginning with
eligible students enrolled in the 2003-2004 school year. No grants
pursuant to this act shall be provided to students for attending
summer terms or intersessions.
D. The State Regents shall implement policies and procedures
for the administration of this act. The State Regents shall approve
as eligible institutions of higher education only those private or
independent, not-for-profit colleges or universities that are
domiciled within this state, meet approved program and accreditation
standards as determined by the State Regents, and are fully
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association on Colleges and Schools or a national accrediting body
recognized by the United States Department of Education. To be
eligible, institutions must have been granted not-for-profit status
by the Internal Revenue Service and the U. S. Department of
Education prior to July 1, 2012. Additionally, eligible
institutions shall adhere to the complaint process policies and
procedures administered by the State Regents. The State Regents
shall review and take action, as authorized, on complaints
concerning eligible institutions. The eligible institutions shall
include Bacone College, Family of Faith College, Mid-America
Christian University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma
Christian University, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Wesleyan
University, Oral Roberts University, Southern Nazarene University,
ENR. H. B. NO. 2888 Page 3
Southwestern Christian University, St. Gregory's University, the
University of Tulsa and Randall University.
E. If funds are not sufficient in the Oklahoma Tuition
Equalization Grant Trust Fund to provide grants for all eligible
applicants, the State Regents shall award grants on the basis of
need and take into consideration other grants and scholarships
received by an eligible applicant when awarding grants. Students
who have previously received a tuition equalization grant and who
continue to meet the requirements for eligibility shall have
absolute priority for continued financial support superior to any
student who is applying for a grant for the first time.
F. Students enrolling as first-time freshmen for the 2003-2004
school year shall be the first class of students eligible to apply
for Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants. In subsequent years, all
previously eligible students and the first-time enrolling freshmen
students shall be entitled to apply for a grant pursuant to this
section. Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, all eligible
students shall be entitled to apply for a grant pursuant to this
section.
G. A grant provided by this section shall not be allowed for
courses or other postsecondary units taken in excess of the
requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program or taken more
than five (5) years after the student's first grant is received.
The State Regents may award an Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant
for courses of postsecondary units taken more than five (5) years
after the student's first grant is received only in hardship
circumstances. No Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant recipient may
receive benefits beyond a cumulative time period of five (5) years.
H. On or before February 1 after the first semester in which
grants are awarded pursuant to this act and every year thereafter,
the State Regents shall provide a report to the Governor, President
Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives to include, but not be limited to the number of
students awarded grants, grade point average, persistence rates,
degree completion rates, demographic data, and any other indicators
the State Regents deem appropriate.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
ENR. H. B. NO. 2888 Page 4
Passed the House of Representatives the 13th day of March, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 30th day of April, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________