[Oasfaa] Update -- Bill requiring 30 college credit hours for OKPromise students

[Fair, Bryce]

Following is an update on HB2180 which was heard yesterday in the House Committee on Higher Education and Career Technology.


·       The bill passed the committee by a vote of 7 yes, 0 no.  You can listen to an audio recording of the committee discussion of the bill at http://okhouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=82&clip_id=1593 [click on HB2180 and you will have to wait about 1 minute, or fast forward to the 10:35 mark in the audio, to get to the discussion].



·       You can see how the committee members voted at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2015-16%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB2180_VOTES.HTM.


·       Attached is a draft analysis that we provided to the Legislature that shows the credit hour enrollment patterns of OKPromise students in 2013-14 by type of institution.  It also provides two scenarios of possible cost impacts if students took 30 credit hours (the current version of the bill exempts two-year colleges from the requirement).


·       I’ve received the following questions related to the bill and have provided some preliminary answers.



o   Would the changes apply to only new incoming college freshmen or to all OKPromise college students?
Response:  As the bill is currently drafted, it does not appear to have a “grandfathering” provision that would limit the requirement to only incoming college freshmen.  Based on the current text of the bill, it appears that the requirement would become effective for all OKPromise college students in the 2015-16 academic year and thereafter.



o   If a student doesn’t meet the 30-hour requirement, do they lose OKPromise eligibility permanently or can they re-establish eligibility?  [Example: A freshman student does not complete 30 earned hours their first year and does not qualify for one of the exceptions.  Are they out permanently?]
Response:  The bill does not appear to specifically address this issue.  The text of the bill simply states, “To retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolled, the student shall:…complete a minimum of thirty (30) earned credit hours per academic year, unless the student meets one or more of the following exceptions….”  The bill does not provide specific language authorizing the student to re-establish eligibility if the student fails to meet the 30-hour requirement.  We have asked this question of legislative staff working on the bill.  At this time, my interpretation is that without specific authorization for a process for to re-establish eligibility, once the student fails to meet the 30-hour requirement, the disqualification could be permanent.  This could be an issue that is clarified as the bill continues through the legislative process.



·       Comparison to credit hour requirements of other State Regents’ programs:

o   Academic Scholars Program (National Merit Scholars, Top ½ of 1% on ACT, Institutional Nominees) – must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester and complete at least 24 credit hours for the academic year.

o   Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship (Public Regional Universities, minimum 30 ACT) - must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester and complete at least 24 credit hours for the academic year (same as Academic Scholars).

o   Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (Private/independent, nonprofit, accredited universities in Oklahoma) – must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester; no completion requirement.


Bryce Fair




From: oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net [mailto:oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of Fair, Bryce
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:36 AM
To: oasfaa at lists.onenet.net
Subject: [Oasfaa] Bill requiring 30 college credit hours for OKPromise students to be heard in committee today

FYI –
HB 2180 by Rep. Jeffrey Hickman is scheduled to be heard this afternoon in the House Committee on Higher Education and Career Technology (see attached meeting notice).

As originally introduced, HB2180 would require all OKPromise college students to, “enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year” to maintain eligibility for the scholarship (see the text of the introduced version at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20INT/hB/HB2180%20INT.PDF )

Yesterday, a new version of the bill was filed by Rep. Hickman.  This version is called a committee substitute and is expected to be considered at the meeting this afternoon in place of the introduced version.  In this version, all OKPromise college students enrolled at four-year institutions would be required to “complete a minimum of thirty (30) earned credit hours per academic year” unless the student meets at least one of eight specified exceptions.  The exceptions would be required to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the president or highest academic officer of the institution.  The 30-hour requirement would not apply to students enrolled exclusively at a two-year institution.  You can find the text of this committee amendment/substitute at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/House/HB2180%20FULLPCS1%20JEFF%20HICKMAN-KB.PDF .

Both versions of the bill would also expand the application period for the program from grades 8-10 to grades 8-11.

Bryce Fair
Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships and Grants
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
P.O. Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK  73101-8850
Email:  bfair at osrhe.edu<mailto:bfair at osrhe.edu>
Phone: 405-225-9162
Fax: 405-225-9230

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