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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Yesterday the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed HB
1421 (by Rep. Dennis Casey, R - Morrison). As originally introduced, HB
1421 would have required OKPromise college students to repay the program for
any courses that they failed or from which they withdrew (text of original introduced
version: <a
href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20INT/hB/HB1421%20INT.DOC"><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20INT/hB/HB1421%20INT.DOC</span></a>
). In the committee process, the bill was amended and the original
language was replaced with language that would require that OKPromise students to
be subject to the federal Satisfactory Academic Program (SAP)standards required
of all students receiving federal aid (see text of bill as approved in
committee and considered on the House floor: <a
href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20FLR/HFLR/HB1421%20HFLR.DOC"><span
style='color:windowtext'>http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20FLR/HFLR/HB1421%20HFLR.DOC</span></a>
). The primary new requirement that the federal SAP policy would impose
on OKPromise students that is not currently in place is a quantitative requirement
to complete at least two-thirds of the courses in which they enroll. However,
on the House floor yesterday, much of the discussion of the bill apparently was
about provisions as contained in the introduced version, not the version as
passed in committee and as presented on the floor.<span style='color:#1F497D'>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The following article and press release provide some more
background on this issue. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(article in Friday morning’s Daily Oklahoman)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Oklahoma House passes guidelines for state-funded
scholarships <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Oklahoma House members vote for bill thinking it would
require college and university students on the scholarship program to pay back
the state for courses they drop out of or flunk, but that provision had been
taken out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>BY MICHAEL MCNUTT mmcnutt@opubco.com Oklahoma<span
style='color:#1F497D'>n</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Published: March 11, 2011<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>House members thought Thursday they were passing a bill that
would require college and university students on a state scholarship program to
pay the state back for courses they drop out of or flunk. But the measure simply
stiffens requirements for students who receive money from Oklahoma's Promise
scholarship program.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>House Bill 1421 would require students in the program to
meet the same academic standards as students receiving federal financial aid.
It passed 70-27, with all Democrats voting no. Due to a parliamentary procedure
by Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City, it will be delayed a couple days
before moving to the Senate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The requirement maintains students have to pass at least
two-thirds of their courses, said Ben Hardcastle, a spokesman with the State
Regents for Higher Education. It would take effect for the 2012-13 academic
year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Oklahoma's Promise pays for tuition at state schools for
qualifying students whose family's income is less than $50,000. Students must
maintain a 2.0 GPA for classes they take through their sophomore year and a 2.5
GPA for classes they take their junior year and after.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Rep. Dennis Casey, the author of HB 1421, originally filed
the measure requiring students in the program who flunk or drop out of the
program to repay the state for those courses. He later filed an amendment that
deleted that language and inserted the wording that students would have to
follow the same guidelines as those on student aid.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>For nearly an hour, Casey, R-Morrison, debated the measure,
maintaining it would require students who flunk or drop a course to repay the
state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>At one point, Rep. Ben Sherrer, D-Choteau, told Casey that
he couldn't find any such language in the current form of the bill. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Casey in an interview later gave no reason for his
confusion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The approved guidelines make students ineligible if they do
not complete most of the courses they are enrolled in, he said. They provide
exemptions for students who withdraw due to circumstances such as a family
emergency.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(Revised press release issued by Rep. Casey at about 5:15
p.m. <span style='color:#1F497D'>Thursday</span>)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>NOTE: Due to amended language in the bill, the fiscal impact
of the bill has changed and its effect has been modified. The $6.8 million
figure is no longer accurate and there is no longer a “clawback”
revision that would require students to reimburse OHLAP after receiving a
payment. The following release explains these changes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img border=0
width=96 height=95 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CBDFC5.68B588F0"
alt="cid:image001.jpg@01CBDF47.4BE5BB10"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-family:"Cash Outline"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-family:"Cash Outline"'>Oklahoma House of Representatives<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-family:"Cash Outline"'>Media Division<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>March 10, 2011<b><span
style='font-family:"Cash Outline"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><u><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><u>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<o:p></o:p></u></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Contact: State Rep. Dennis Casey<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Capitol: (405) 557-7344<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><i><span
style='font-size:16.0pt'>Lawmakers Approve Bill to Reform State-funded
Scholarships<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation passed by the Oklahoma
House of Representatives today would change eligibility requirements for
students who receive Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program scholarship
payments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
House Bill 1421, by state Rep. Dennis Casey, would require students receiving
an OHLAP scholarship to “maintain satisfactory academic progress as
required for eligibility for federal Title IV student financial aid
programs.” The legislation would become effective for the 2012-2013
school year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
“The legislation’s current language is piggybacking on federal
Title IV guidelines, but basically maintains its original intent,” said
Casey, R-Morrison. “Federal Title IV guidelines make students ineligible
if they do not complete most of the courses they are enrolled in. It also
addresses withdrawing from courses, but includes exemptions for students who
have withdrawn due to a family emergency or a similarly understandable
reason.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
Casey said he thinks the OHLAP program is an important in the state and his
intent is to encourage higher standards for eligibility rather than hurt
responsible, hardworking students.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
“The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program is a critical program to
help encourage higher education in the state,” said Casey, R-Morrison.
“My legislation simply adds a little accountability to ensure that the
students who are receiving the funding are using it to responsibly. Taxpayers
should not foot the bill for a student who is irresponsible and neglects his or
her studies for social activities.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
House Bill 1421 passed by a vote of 70 to 27 and now proceeds to the Senate for
consideration.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b>-<i>30</i>-<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>NOTICE: The information in this email is confidential,
legally privileged, and exempt from disclosure under law. It is intended solely
for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. If you
are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any
action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and
unlawful. The Oklahoma House of Reps does not warrant any e-mail transmission
received as being virus free, and disclaims any liability for losses or damages
arising from the use of this e-mail or its attachments. Recipients of e-mail
assume the risk of possible computer virus exposure by opening or utilizing the
e-mail and its attachments, and waive any right or recourse against the House
by doing so. <span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Bryce
Fair</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Associate
Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants</span><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Phone:
405-225-9162</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Fax:
405-225-9392</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>e-mail:
</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><a
href="mailto:bfair@osrhe.edu"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:windowtext'>bfair@osrhe.edu</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Mailing
address:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>P.O.
Box 108850</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma
City, OK 73101-8850</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Street
address:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>655
Research Parkway, Suite 200</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma
City, OK 73104</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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