HB 3704 directs Oklahoma to participate in a federal income tax credit program allowing individuals to claim a credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill requires the Governor to certify Oklahoma's participation to the U.S. Treasury and designates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to register SGOs, maintain their lists, and handle federal reporting. This enables Oklahoma taxpayers to claim the federal credit for qualifying donations, while coordinating with Oklahoma's existing state tax credit for SGO contributions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and remains in place until changed by law or federal policy.
HB 3708 modifies Oklahoma's tax credit system to expand education-related incentives. It creates three tax credit options: 50% of contributions (up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for joint filers, or $100,000 for businesses) to scholarship-granting organizations, educational improvement grant organizations, or public school foundations/districts. A 75% credit is available for donors who commit to contributing the same amount for two consecutive years. Organizations receiving funds must annually submit audited financial reports to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and publicly share program outcomes. The bill directly affects individual taxpayers, businesses, and eligible education-focused nonprofits.
HB 2963 removes the requirement for a minimum 22 ACT score (or equivalent SAT/CLT score) for Oklahoma students who graduated from a high school not accredited by the State Board of Education to qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. This change directly affects students who attended non-accredited high schools and previously needed to meet the standardized test threshold to receive tuition assistance. The bill amends Section 2603 of the Oklahoma Statutes to eliminate this specific test requirement while maintaining other eligibility criteria like residency, citizenship, GPA, and financial need.
SB 1899 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of certified school personnel, such as teachers and other district employees. The bill amends Section 2603 of Oklahoma law to explicitly add "children of certified classroom teachers or certified personnel" as a qualifying group under financial need requirements. This change allows these students to receive tuition assistance equivalent to resident rates for their first semester of college, provided they meet other standard program criteria like high school graduation and academic requirements. The amendment updates existing eligibility rules without altering the program's core structure or funding mechanisms.
HB 4158 increases the income threshold for Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants from $50,000 to $80,000 annually for students' parents (or $80,000 for independent students). This change directly affects Oklahoma residents whose family income previously exceeded $50,000 but now qualifies them for the $2,000 annual grant. The bill amends existing eligibility rules under Section 2632 of Oklahoma law, maintaining other requirements like full-time enrollment and institutional accreditation. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with emergency status.
SB 1340 raises income eligibility limits for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program, directly affecting low-income students seeking college benefits. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the bill increases the maximum parent federal adjusted gross income for qualification to $60,000 (for families with two or fewer children), $70,000 (three or four children), and $80,000 (five or more children). This updates previous thresholds that were lower for earlier school years. The change expands access to the program by allowing more students from middle-income families to qualify for benefits like tuition assistance.
HB 2361, the "Successful Adulthood Act," requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with a "Notice of Rights" explaining their legal protections. It mandates that youth transitioning out of foster care at age 18 receive essential documents, including birth certificates, Social Security cards, medical records, and educational transcripts, to support independent living. The bill extends eligibility for transition services, including housing, education, and Medicaid coverage, until age 21 for those in foster care due to abuse or neglect. It also requires the Department to provide information about college financial aid programs to foster youth and their guardians. These provisions aim to improve stability and self-sufficiency for young adults aging out of foster care.
HB 1955 supports Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board certification by expanding financial assistance and recognition. It provides up to $1,800 per teacher annually (covering $1,300 in fees plus a $500 scholarship) for application costs and certification expenses, with repayment required if certification isn’t completed within three years. The bill also establishes a $5,000 annual bonus for 10 years for teachers certified before June 30, 2013, or those who applied before that date, while clarifying that bonus eligibility excludes certain salary increments. Additionally, it mandates free mentorship and training support for participating teachers through university partnerships. The law took effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2256 creates a revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury to support apprenticeship scholarships for high school graduates. The fund, financed by state appropriations and private donations, will provide grants covering tuition and fees for eligible students entering federally approved technical apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees. Applications for these grants will be reviewed competitively statewide by the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1727 amends Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program (OK HAP) to add a new eligibility category for children of certified classroom teachers. Specifically, it allows students whose parents are certified teachers to qualify for tuition assistance without needing to meet standard financial need requirements (normally required under Section 2603). The bill does not change other eligibility criteria like residency, academic performance, or admission standards. This change directly affects students pursuing higher education in Oklahoma whose parents work as certified teachers in the state. The policy went into effect June 10, 2025, after Governor approval.
