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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN class=962363820-18012008>FYI - This
item has gotten some media coverage so you may get some questions about
it. Yesterday, Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Howe, near Poteau) held a press
conference and issued the following press release about a bill he is introducing
for the coming 2008 legislative session. The bill proposes
to create a new "Secondary Century Promise" program and also proposes
to increase the initial family income limit for Oklahoma's Promise from $50,000
to $80,000. </SPAN>You can <SPAN class=962363820-18012008>find the
press </SPAN>release online<SPAN class=962363820-18012008>, along with a press
conference photo and audio clip,</SPAN> at </FONT></FONT><A
href="http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2008/pr20080117a.html"><FONT
face=Arial
size=2>http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2008/pr20080117a.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=962363820-18012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>You can find the
text of the bill (SB 2020) at <A
href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08SB/SB2020_int.rtf">http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08SB/SB2020_int.rtf</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=962363820-18012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=962363820-18012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2>====================================================================</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=917500215-18012008>
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<P align=center><FONT face=Arial size=+3><STRONG>O<FONT size=+3>klahoma
State Senate</FONT></STRONG></FONT><BR>Communications Division<BR>State
Capitol<BR>Oklahoma City, OK 73105<BR>405-521-5774 </P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px" align=center><STRONG>For Immediate Release:
January 17, 2008</STRONG> </P>
<P align=center><STRONG>Sen. Corn Files Bill Creating Oklahoma's 'Second
Century Promise' </STRONG></P>
<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px">State Sen. <A
href="http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/biographies/corn_bio.html">Kenneth
Corn</A> has filed legislation to create Oklahoma's "Second Century
Promise." The program will target students who currently do not qualify
for Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program, formerly known as OHLAP.
<BR><BR>"There are three words I use to describe Second Century
Promise-hope, change and opportunity," said Corn, D-Poteau. "This is a
fundamental change in how we develop an educated work force. It will
provide hope to kids who may not feel college is an option because of the
cost, and it's an opportunity for Oklahoma to leapfrog our surrounding
states by increasing the number of college graduates. This will help
attract high paying jobs, grow our economy and ultimately improve the
quality of life for our entire state."<BR><BR>Since first unveiling the
concept last year, Corn has met with people in all areas of higher
education, common education, legislators from both parties as well as
business and community leaders who have each given input to help fine-tune
the proposal.<BR><BR>"The initial feedback we received was overwhelmingly
positive and we received some very constructive suggestions about how to
improve the plan. That process has resulted in the creation of Senate bill
2020, Oklahoma's Second Century Promise, which I believe is the most
important piece of legislation we will consider in the 2008
session."<BR><BR>SB 2020 includes several key provisions, including:<BR>*
Raising the family income limit for Oklahoma's Promise from $50,000 to
$80,000.<BR>* All students would be required to enroll in Oklahoma's
Promise, unless parents opt out.<BR>* The program will be phased in to
include students who have not enrolled in Oklahoma's Promise by providing
a two-year scholarship to any student who graduates from high school
beginning with the 2008-09 school year through 2012-13. During that time
period, any student meeting family income requirements and graduating with
a minimum 2.0 grade point average, or any home-school or GED student
scoring at least a 19 on the ACT, will be eligible for tuition and fees at
a two-year college or career-tech. They would also have the option to
attend a four-year institution, and would receive a scholarship equal to
the average tuition and fees charged at two-year institutions. <BR>* The
program will not cover any remedial courses.</P>
<P>"Beginning in 2014, high school students who do not achieve the
required 2.5 GPA to qualify for the Oklahoma Promise four-year scholarship
would still be eligible for a two-year scholarship if their GPA is at
least 2.0," Corn explained. "Furthermore, if they keep their GPA above 2.5
in their first two years of college, they'll be eligible for Oklahoma
Promise scholarships for the final two years. It's what I call a second
chance provision, but they must have enrolled in the program and completed
all other requirements."<BR><BR>Corn said his own experiences as a child
strengthened his determination to ensure all Oklahoma students have the
opportunity to attend college.<BR><BR>"When I was in the sixth-grade, I
entered an essay contest for a full college scholarship. I won, but I had
to keep my grades up through junior high and high school to keep it. My
parents didn't have the resources to send me to college, but the
scholarship changed everything. Because I had that chance, I worked hard
in school and it has made all the difference in my life," Corn said. "I
want every child in Oklahoma to have that kind of hope and that
opportunity."<BR><BR>Corn said if approved by the legislature and Gov.
Brad Henry, his legislation would take effect during the 2009-2010 school
year.</P>
<P><STRONG>For more information contact:</STRONG><BR>Senator Corn's Office
- (405) 521-5576</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></SPAN></DIV>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=962363820-18012008>=========================================================================</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bryce Fair</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>Assoc.
Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Phone: (405) 225-9162</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>Fax:
(405) 225-9230</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>E-mail:
bfair@osrhe.edu</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mailing Address:</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial
size=2>P.O. Box 108850</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oklahoma City,
OK 73101-8850</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Street Address:</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial
size=2>655 Research Parkway, Suite 200</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Oklahoma City, OK 73104</FONT> </P>
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