HB 3230 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to adjust income-based tax credits for parents paying for private school education. It allows tax credits of up to $7,500 annually (reduced for higher-income households) for tuition at accredited private schools, with a $1,000 cap for students using other education options. Special provisions provide full $7,500 credits for students experiencing homelessness or attending schools primarily serving financially disadvantaged students. The credit is claimed against Oklahoma state income tax for tax years 2024 and beyond, subject to specific eligibility requirements.
HB 3598 prohibits undocumented immigrant students in Oklahoma from receiving in-state tuition rates or state-funded scholarships and financial aid at public colleges and universities. The bill amends Oklahoma law to remove the existing pathway allowing such students to qualify for resident tuition by meeting high school residency requirements and submitting immigration applications, and explicitly bans them from these benefits. An exception applies to students enrolled in a degree program during the 2006-2007 school year or earlier who previously received resident tuition under prior rules. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 2016 directs Oklahoma's Department of Career and Technology Education to prioritize federal Perkins Act funds for expanding high-demand vocational programs (like welding, healthcare, and construction) in technology center school districts. It requires 20% of state leadership funds to support high school student enrollment through transportation, tuition waivers, and school partnerships, and creates performance incentives for districts increasing student participation. The bill mandates an annual report tracking enrollment growth, industry credentials earned, and fund distribution to the Governor and legislature. It directly affects technology center districts and Oklahoma high school students seeking vocational training pathways.
SB 1340 raises income eligibility limits for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program, directly affecting low-income students seeking college benefits. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the bill increases the maximum parent federal adjusted gross income for qualification to $60,000 (for families with two or fewer children), $70,000 (three or four children), and $80,000 (five or more children). This updates previous thresholds that were lower for earlier school years. The change expands access to the program by allowing more students from middle-income families to qualify for benefits like tuition assistance.
HB 2257 creates the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee coverage for eligible Oklahoma National Guard members attending Oklahoma colleges. It covers up to 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees (max 18 credits per semester) and 40 credit hours for master's programs, including mandatory fees and academic service fees. To qualify, members must maintain a 2.0 GPA, hold a military occupational specialty after their first semester, and agree to serve 24 additional months in the Guard after completing their education. Failure to meet service requirements triggers repayment calculations based on the total assistance amount. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025, and is funded through a revolving fund managed by the Military Department and State Regents for Higher Education.
HJR 1037 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Oklahoma's Legislature to freeze, suspend, or withhold up to 100% of state funds for any public institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. It would require a joint resolution approved by majority votes in both the Senate and House, with gubernatorial approval, to implement such funding changes for up to two years. The bill specifies that this action would only affect state-appropriated funds - not federal money, private donations, tuition, or other nonstate revenue - and would automatically end after two years unless extended by a new resolution. The amendment is currently pending voter approval after legislative passage.
SB 1372 allows eligible Oklahoma probationers to shorten their probation term by earning credits. Offenders who complete their first year of probation or earn a high school diploma, college degree, or vocational certificate can receive credits equal to 1/4 of their probation length. Supervising agencies must track these credits, notify offenders annually about their projected termination date, and inform courts when credits qualify for early termination. The bill excludes those convicted of certain serious offenses (like specific sex crimes or violent felonies) and allows offenders who complete education after probation ends to file a court motion for credit reduction.
SB 1247 removes an exception that previously allowed certain non-lawfully present students to qualify for resident tuition and financial aid at Oklahoma public colleges and universities. It amends Oklahoma law to prohibit these students from receiving resident tuition rates or postsecondary education benefits, aligning with the broader rule that non-lawfully present individuals are ineligible for such benefits. The bill repeals the outdated Section 3242 of the Oklahoma Statutes and takes effect on July 1, 2026. This change directly affects undocumented students seeking in-state tuition rates at Oklahoma's public higher education institutions.
SB 31 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition coverage for eligible members enrolled in career and technology programs at Oklahoma technology centers that lead to certification or licensure. It directly affects current Oklahoma National Guard members in good standing with a high school diploma or GED who enroll in such programs, limiting assistance to three years and requiring a 24-month active service commitment after program completion. Key provisions include maintaining a 2.0 GPA, holding a military occupational specialty (MOS) after the first semester, and mandatory repayment if service or academic requirements are not met. The program is funded through a revolving fund supported by state appropriations and repayments, with applications processed through the Military Department.
SB 185 creates the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee assistance to Oklahoma residents pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees in engineering, land surveying, or accounting at Oklahoma colleges. To qualify, students must apply, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and agree to work for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for five years after graduation. If they fail to complete the five-year commitment, they must repay the assistance, with funds deposited into a dedicated revolving fund. The program is funded through state appropriations and repayments, with assistance limited to required coursework for eligible degrees.
