[Oasfaa] Potential Impact of HB 3592

[Fair, Bryce]

Institutional Financial Aid Directors:
As may recall, HB 3592, related to the Oklahoma's Promise program, was amended and passed on the House floor last week.  The current version of the bill now contains the language shown below and the bill may be heard in a Senate committee before April 12, the next deadline for committee action.  In short, the bill would require institutions to repay to the OKPromise program any award funds related to a course from which an OKPromise student withdraws after the 2nd week of the semester and before the end of the 8th week of the semester.  Please review the language in paragraph A below and respond directly to me at bfair at osrhe.edu<mailto:bfair at osrhe.edu> with any comments, questions, or concerns about how the bill would impact your institution.  Following are a few issues to consider:

*       One logistical question is that the language appears to only be addressing the traditional 16-week fall/spring semesters and does not fit summer enrollment periods, interim sessions, 4-week or  8-week courses, or other non-traditional enrollment periods.

*       Another question is whether or not, under your current institutional policies, the student would be responsible for institution charges that would be considered unpaid when the OKPromise award funds for a withdrawn course were returned to the OKPromise program by the institution (assuming the OKPromise award funds had already been disbursed to the student).

*       Do you have any estimate of how many OKPromise students/courses this proposed requirement might impact at your institution?

HB 3592 text (also available online at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2017-18%20ENGR/hB/HB3592%20ENGR.PDF):

SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2606 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A.    If a student withdraws from a class in which he or she has received an award from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, the awarded funds shall be returned to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The provisions of this subsection shall only apply to awarded funds when a student withdraws after the second instructional week and before the end of the eighth instructional week of the semester. If a student withdraws after the end of the eighth instructional week of the semester, the awarded funds shall remain with the institution of higher education.

B.    The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.

We appreciate any feedback that you can provide.  (I realize that most institutions are on spring break this week and that many of you will not see this until next week.)
Bryce Fair

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

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