HB1184 amends the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (often referred to as Oklahoma’s “Promise” scholarship program) by lowering the minimum ACT score required for certain applicants from 22 to 19. The change applies to students who graduated from a non-accredited high school or who completed their education through nontraditional means, while the bill leaves the rest of the program’s eligibility framework intact. Those other requirements include Oklahoma residency or enrollment in certain border-district schools, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, satisfactory compliance with program agreements, completion of high school curricular requirements, admission to an eligible Oklahoma institution, and proof of financial need.
The bill also preserves existing special eligibility categories, including children of certain military members killed or dying in the line of duty and students adopted from state or tribal custody under specified circumstances. It does not alter the program’s retention standards, which require students to maintain academic standing, satisfactory progress, and compliance with institutional and state regents’ rules. The act is set to become effective November 1, 2025.
Impact
HB1184 would amend 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, the statute governing eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. Its primary legal effect is to reduce the ACT threshold for two categories of applicants from 22 to 19, thereby expanding potential access to state-funded tuition assistance for some students who were educated outside the traditional public-school system. The bill would not change the program’s funding structure, retention rules, or the broader eligibility requirements tied to residency, academics, admission, and financial need.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill. It advanced from the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee on a 7-2 vote as amended by committee substitute, indicating that most members present supported the eligibility change. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate to show broader public or member sentiment beyond the vote and the bill’s movement forward.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the policy choice to lower the ACT requirement, which could be viewed as expanding access to the program while also potentially reducing the selectivity of eligibility standards. Any opposition likely centers on whether a lower test-score threshold is an appropriate measure of readiness for scholarship participation and whether it could increase program costs or dilute academic expectations. Supporters, by contrast, appear to favor broader access for students from non-accredited schools or nontraditional educational settings who may otherwise be excluded by the higher score requirement.
Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; directing certain designated individuals to annually evaluate students based on certain eligibility. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; modifying goals of certain programs; modifying eligibility for certain higher education programs; adding references to Classic Learning Test; effective date; emergency.
Crimes and punishments; modifying offenses in certain classes of felonies; creating felony offenses for second or subsequent offenses; adding offenses for which registration pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act applies. Effective date.
Crimes and punishments; creating felony offense related to false impersonation of peace officers; broadening scope of allowable seizure. Effective date.