Date Introduced: 2/5/24
Status: PASSED 5/21/24
An Act creating the Oklahoma Access and Achievement Scholarship Program. The purpose is to provide an award to eligible students with intellectual disabilities who are pursuing studies at a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary (CTP) Programs in the state of Oklahoma. Award amounts would be equivalent to the nonguaranteed resident tuition at an institution of higher education or the tuition at a technology center school, awarded by allocation from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. Eligibility is determined within the legislation. Eligible applicants must be a resident of the state, a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States, has a record satisfactory compliance, has graduated within six years, has secured admission or is currently enrolled, and has established financial need. Continued eligibility requires student to maintain good academic standing, satisfactory academic progress, comply with the standards related to maintenance of eligibility, and refrain from conduct that results in expulsion or suspension of more than one semester.
Benefits would be awarded without limitations on the number of awards in a year, other than the amount of funds available and number of applicants. If funds are not available for all eligible applicants, the State Regents would make awards based on needs. Students who previously received awards under the act and continue to fulfill the requirements will be given priority over first-time applicants.