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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 3551 By: Maynard, Hall, Woolley, and
Hill of the House
and
Alvord of the Senate
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 3242, which relates to eligibility for
resident tuition; removing option to file application
or affidavit to receive resident tuition; requiring
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to verify
lawful presence through the SAVE Program; removing
outdated reference; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section
3242.2, which relates to eligibility for
postsecondary education benefits and resident
tuition; removing reference to ability to file
application or affidavit to receive resident tuition;
and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242,
is amended to read as follows:
Section 3242. A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education may adopt a policy which allows a student to enroll
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in an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
Education and allows a student to be eligible for resident
tuition if the student:
1. Graduated from a public or private high school in this
state; and
2. Resided in this state with a parent or legal guardian while
attending classes at a public or private high school in this state
for at least two (2) years prior to graduation.
B. To be eligible for the provisions of subsection A of this
section, an eligible student shall:
1. Satisfy admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education for the appropriate type of
institution and have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an
institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education;
and
2. If the student cannot present Present to the State Regents
and the institution valid documentation of United States nationality
or an immigration status permitting study at a postsecondary
institution:
a. provide to the institution a copy of a true and
correct application or petition filed with the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services to
legalize the student's immigration status, or
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b. file an affidavit with the institution stating that
the student will file an application to legalize his
or her immigration status at the earliest opportunity
the student is eligible to do so, but in no case later
than:
(1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
enrolls for study at the institution, or
(2) if there is no formal process to permit children
of parents without lawful immigration status to
apply for lawful status without risk of
deportation, one (1) year after the date the
United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services provide such a formal process, and
c. if the student files an affidavit pursuant to
subparagraph b of this paragraph, present to the
institution a copy of a true and correct application
or petition filed with the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services no later than:
(1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
enrolls for study at the institution, or
(2) if there is no formal process to permit children
of parents without lawful immigration status to
apply for lawful status without risk of
deportation, one (1) year after the date the
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United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services provide such a formal process, which
copy shall be maintained in the institution's
records for that student.
C. Any student who completes the required criteria prescribed
in subsection A of this section, paragraph 1 of subsection B of this
section, and subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this
section shall not be disqualified on the basis of the student's
immigration status from any scholarships or financial aid provided
by this state.
D. The provisions of this section shall not impose any
additional conditions to maintain resident tuition status at a
postsecondary educational institution within The Oklahoma State
System of Higher Education on a student who was enrolled in a degree
program and first received such resident tuition status at that
institution during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year of
status as an alien lawfully present in the United States. The State
Regents shall verify a student's status as an alien lawfully present
in the United States through the federal Systematic Alien
Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3242.2. A. Except as otherwise provided in Section
3242 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, an An individual who is
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not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on
the basis of residence within the state for:
1. Any postsecondary education benefit, including, but not
limited to, scholarships or financial aid; or
2. Resident tuition.
B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not
apply to a student enrolled in a degree program at a postsecondary
educational institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
Education during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year who
received a resident tuition benefit pursuant to Section 3242 of
Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes at that institution.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET, dated
02/18/2026 - DO PASS, As Amended and Coauthored.