[Oasfaa] Recommendations of the Task Force on Oklahoma's Promise

[Fair, Bryce]

Yesterday, the recommendations of the Task Force on Oklahoma's Promise were submitted to the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore.  A copy of the report is attached.  The Task Force was created by the 2008 Legislature to review the family income requirements and the college award-retention requirements of the program.  The Task Force approved four important recommendations that are detailed in the report, including: (1) expanding participation in the program with a new family income limit that would adjust for family size and inflation; (2) delaying and possibly reconsidering the second income limit that is scheduled to go into effect in 2010; (3) basing college award-retention requirements on institution academic requirements rather than a statutory GPA requirement scheduled to go into effect in 2010; and (4) possibly considering some type of post-college state residency requirement for Oklahoma's Promise students.  Please see the attached report for more information.

The Task Force was extremely fortunate that 4 of its 11 members were veteran financial aid officers-- Dr. Charles Bruce (OSU), Myrna Cross (WOSC), Nancy Moats (USAO), and Jonna Raney (OBU).  Their contribution to the Task Force was invaluable and we are very thankful for their service.

The changes to Oklahoma's Promise proposed by the Task Force are all subject to consideration and ultimate approval by the Oklahoma Legislature and the Governor.  The next legislative session begins in February, 2009, and will end in May.  We will try to keep you apprised of any developments regarding the recommendations.

Also below is the text of a related article from the Associated Press that was posted on the Daily Oklahoman website this afternoon.

Let us know if you have any questions.
Bryce Fair


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Oklahoma Regents Eye Expansion of Scholarship Program
By The Associated Press
Published: December 4, 2008

Oklahoma students whose families earn more than $50,000 could qualify for Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program under a recommendation presented Thursday to the state regents. 

The Task Force on Oklahoma's Promise recommends adjusting the family income limit when students apply for the scholarship so that adjusted gross income minus the amount for exemptions equals $50,000 or less. Another recommendation would automatically adjust for family size so that larger families would be allowed to have higher incomes. 

For example, a married couple with four children could earn $70,400 in adjusted gross income and still qualify for the program under the proposal. 

Bryce Fair, who oversees Oklahoma's Promise for the state regents, said the change would allow participation of more middle-income families that likely don't qualify for need-based financial aid. 

"This proposal would bring in a lot of those families," Fair said. 

The current family income level, established in 2000, is $50,000, and Fair said the changes would adjust for inflation and provide more fairness to larger families. 

All the changes would have to be approved by the Oklahoma Legislature, but Chancellor Glen Johnson said he's optimistic the recommendations would be well received, since four legislators served on the task force. 

Fair said the projected cost difference to the state would not be realized until 2012, with an $8 million impact, increasing incrementally to about $43 million in 2019. 

Students who participate in Oklahoma's promise must maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average in a 17-unit core curriculum, attend school regularly and stay out of trouble. Students also must enroll in the program by the 10th grade. 

The number of students completing the requirements for participation has increased steadily each year to its current level of 6,530 students. 
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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

  <<12-03-08-Final Report.pdf>> 
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