New law bases Oklahoma’s Promise income limits on family size

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – College students’ eligibility for Oklahoma’s Promise has at all times been primarily based on family earnings, however a newly-signed legislation now takes the household’s dimension into consideration as effectively when dolling out scholarship cash.

Senate Invoice 1673, which was signed into legislation by Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier than the 2022 session adjourned, has increased earnings limits for bigger households.

“Clearly, the extra youngsters you might have, the costlier it’s to lift them, however till now, that’s by no means been a think about figuring out earnings {qualifications} for Oklahoma’s Promise,” stated Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, principal creator of the measure. “It is a frequent sense change that may enhance entry to this system and assist much more Oklahoma college students obtain their aim of acquiring a school schooling. Having a well-educated workforce is essential to our efforts to diversify our financial system and increase per-capita earnings in our state. It will finally profit all of Oklahoma.”

Below the brand new legislation, college students making use of for the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program could have an earnings cap of $60,000 for households with two or fewer dependent youngsters, $70,000 for these with three to 4 dependent youngsters and $80,000 for these with 5 or extra dependent youngsters.

“This transformation in legislation can be actually useful for fogeys who’ve a number of youngsters going to varsity,” Home principal creator of SB 1673, Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, stated. “As somebody who had three youngsters in school on the similar time, I do know the burdens that exist. It will assist extra college students attend Oklahoma schools and universities, which in flip interprets into extra expert and skilled staff who can attain higher-paying jobs, leading to a greater financial system and total enchancment for our state. I’m grateful to the Senate creator of this invoice, Senator Pugh, for seeing the need of this transformation and for the governor signing it into legislation.”

This transformation begins within the 2022-23 college 12 months.