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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">FYI – Below is an article that appeared in the Duncan Banner newspaper last Friday related to the ceremonial signing of SB 137, a bill amending the Oklahoma’s Promise statutes. Thanks to Dr. Kermit McMurry
for representing the State Regents at the signing ceremony. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D">[</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I believe the woman in the photo identified as Melanie Wilkins is the owner of the Wilkins Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Duncan where the father of
the family, Dennis Stanley, is cared for.]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D">Bryce Fair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:20.25pt;background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black">Duncan couple inspires law to increase scholarships eligibility<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">By Rachel Snyder The Duncan Banner | Posted: Friday, July 10, 2015 6:45 am
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><img width="760" height="950" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D0BD4F.AFDB1120" alt="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/duncanbanner.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/05/70571420-26b5-11e5-8c6b-470df91b380d/559f3fefcdcce.image.jpg?resize=608%2C760"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:black">OHLAP Pic<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Gov. Mary Fallin held a ceremonial signing of SB 137 recently and was joined by the bill’s author, Sen. Corey Brooks (R-Washington), as well as Dillon, Dustin and Dana
Stanley, Melanie Wilkins and Kermit R. McMurry, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor of Student Services Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">A Duncan couple whose son was denied access to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program because they received social security disability payments prompted a new law
that could allow more students to attend college.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">The program provides awards equivalent to all or part of college tuition expenses for students who complete the program’s requirements while in high school. There are
currently more than 18,000 students in Oklahoma receiving the OHLAP scholarship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Senate Bill 137 allows the State Regents to review cases in which a family’s income includes non-taxable military benefits or federal Social Security payments because
of the death or disability of a parent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">The issue was brought to light by Dennis and Dana Stanley, whose oldest son, Dillon, was denied access to the program in 2011 because of Dennis’ social security disability
payments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Dennis was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2005, which left him unable to take care of himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Because of treatments for the brain tumor, including surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, he’s in a nursing home and requires care around the clock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Dennis’ social security disability payments put the family over the $50,000 annual family income eligibility level when Dillon applied for the OHLAP scholarship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:7.5pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Dennis and Dana’s youngest son, Dustin, who will graduate from high school in 2018, will apply for the scholarship this fall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">“We are extremely excited that Senate Bill 137 was approved and signed into law this year. We’re very thankful for Senator Brook’s dedication and hard work in addressing
this oversight and for Governor Fallin signing the bill,” Dana said. “This will help our family tremendously and I know that there are many other families that will benefit from this as well. It’s an incredible gift and we are beyond grateful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Prior to the passage of SB 137, a student’s family income, both taxable and nontaxable, could not exceed $50,000 per year. The bill, authored by Sen. Corey Brooks, R-Washington,
allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to review cases involving special financial situations, such as nontaxable military and Social Security payments. If the family’s income is less than $50,000, excluding those benefits, the student will
be eligible for the OHLAP program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">“This program was created to ensure that all Oklahoma students who are serious about pursuing higher education get that opportunity if they meet certain financial and
academic requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Unfortunately, their oldest wasn’t able to qualify and has had to go well above and beyond the effort common to the vast majority of students in order to pay for his
college education, but because of his parents’ determination, his brother can apply for the scholarship,” Brooks said. “I’m pleased that the legislature took swift action in passing this legislation and grateful for Governor Fallin’s support as well, so that
we could fulfill the state’s promise to help more Oklahoma students get their education and pursue their dreams.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bryce Fair<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">P.O. Box 108850<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phone: 405-225-9162<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email: <a href="mailto:bfair@osrhe.edu">bfair@osrhe.edu</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fax: 405-225-9230<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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