[Oasfaa] State Regents Actions on Student Aid

[Fair, Bryce]

Yesterday, there were several items on the State Regents' meeting agenda related to state student aid programs.  Following are summaries and some attachments related to each item.

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Update of Cost Projections for State Financial Aid Programs

This report shows that current program expenditures are expected to grow from $33.6 million in 2002-03 to nearly $60 million in just 5 years, by 2007-08.  The projected cost increases are attributable primarily to the growth in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

See pages 111-115 of the electronic agenda book at:
http://www.okhighered.org/agendas/June-2002.pdf

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OTAG Award Levels for Students at Independent Colleges

In HB 2433, one of the appropriation bills for higher education in the 2002 legislation session, an additional $500,000 was appropriated for OTAG by the Legislature with the expressed intent that the funds "be expended to enhance awards for low-income students attending independent colleges and universities."  The issue was debated extensively and strongly by the State Regents before they approved a motion increasing the maximum OTAG award level for students attending independent colleges from $1,000 to $1,300.  The maximum award level at all other eligible institutions will remain at $1,000.   In addition to the agenda item linked below, I have attached the text of a related article in today's Tulsa World at the bottom of this e-mail.

See pages 117-121 of the electronic agenda book at:
http://www.okhighered.org/agendas/June-2002.pdf

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Academic Scholars Program

The State Regents took action on two items related to the Institutional Nominee category of awards (which only applies to state system institutions).  First, the minimum academic criteria for Institutional Nominees will be increased effective for fall 2003.  Second, in an effort to bring the program's expenses into line with current annual appropriations, the award levels for Institutional Nominees entering the program in fall 2003 will be reduced by roughly 50%.  Award levels for "automatic qualifiers" (National Merit Scholars, National Merit Finalists, Presidential Scholars, and top 0.5% scorers on the ACT/SAT) will continue at the current award levels.  The agenda item attached below provides more detail.

 <<Acad Schlrs 06-27 agenda.rtf>> 

Also attached is an electronic copy of the 2001-02 Annual Report for the Academic Scholars Program which provides more details about the program.
 <<Acad Schlrs 01-02 Annual Rep(rtf).doc>> 

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Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP)

This item approved rule changes to incorporate statutory changes in HB 2738 which expanded OHLAP eligibility to students attending non-accredited schools.  The statutes still do not make provisions for home-schooled students to receive OHLAP benefits.

See pages 123-130 of the electronic agenda at: 
http://www.okhighered.org/agendas/June-2002.pdf


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Tulsa World
Regents modify aid program 
By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer 
6/28/2002

The dollar amount of grants awarded to low-income students attending private schools will be increased. 

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State regents on Thursday approved a controversial plan that increases the dollar amount of need-based grants awarded to low-income students attending private schools. 
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education voted 6-2 to approve a modification to the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant program, a publicly funded student aid program. 

Before Thursday's action, all college students receiving such a free grant -- whether enrolled in a public or private university -- received an equal award of $1,000 each. 

After a lengthy debate that ended with two amended motions being withdrawn, state regents passed a motion that increases the OTAG amount for low-income students attending private school to $1,300. 

Funding for the differential plan comes from House Bill 2433, which earmarked $500,000 for 1,700 "tuition needy" students in Oklahoma's independent or private colleges. 

State regent John Massey of Durant said he supports the intent of the motion but he could not vote for the differential amount among students. 

"I'm all for students in independent schools receiving the grant, but I strongly oppose a student in an independent school getting a larger grant amount than a person in a public university," said Massey. 

Massey was joined by Edmond regent Cheryl Hunter in voting against the measure. 

State regent Bill Burgess Jr. of Lawton said to delay the program would hold up critical grants needed by students returning to college in August. 

State regents serve as the governing board for Oklahoma's 25 public colleges and universities and two technical branches. 

Loren Gresham, president of the Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities, praised the state regents for approving the plan, which could help Oklahoma's private schools with lagging enrollment figures and revenues. 

"There are 37 states that have tuition equalization grants that have greatly improved the graduation chances for thousands of low-income students while removing some of the pressures from state budgets," Gresham said. 

Gresham suggested that Oklahoma saves a potential of $10,000 for each student that chooses a private school over a public school. Currently, Oklahoma underwrites about 75 percent of a student's education at a public college or university. 

While the differential plan is controversial, funding for the plan is only 2.5 percent of the $19.5 million awarded last year in OTAG awards. 

Chancellor Hans Brisch acknowledged that a better communication link is needed between the state regents and Oklahoma's private schools. 

Brisch said Oklahoma must develop better policies that can help strengthen the state's private college system without weakening state institutions. 

State regents supporting the differential plan said the effort would ultimately contribute to Brain Gain 2010, a statewide initiative to increase the number of Oklahomans earning a college degree. 

In other business, state regents accepted a report that reveals that Oklahoma has made small, but measurable, progress on its Brain Gain goal to add 203,000 bachelor's degrees and 140,000 associate degrees by 2010. 

Currently, about 20.3 percent of the people 25 years and older hold a bachelor's degree compared to a national average of about 25 percent. The Brain Gain goal is to increase Oklahoma's percentage of college graduates, who are 25 years old and older, to 28 percent by 2010. 

State regents approved a Brain Gain funding policy for several of the state's public colleges and universities. Of the $2.4 million allocated to support the initiative, Tulsa Community College will receive $138,136 while Rogers State University will receive $74,909. Northeastern State University will get $42,182. 

Omer Gillham, World staff writer, can be reached at 581-8301 or via e-mail at omer.gillham at tulsaworld.com . 


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Bryce Fair
Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Phone:  (405) 225-9162
Fax:  (405) 225-9230
E-mail:  bfair at osrhe.edu

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK  73101-8850

Street Address:
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK  73104

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