STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1386	By:	Condit

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to higher education; providing for a reduction of tuition for dependents of full-time education employees; stating eligibility requirements; providing for award of tuition reduction for students that meet certain criteria; stating coverage of tuition reduction; specifying reduction amounts for different higher education institutions; limiting tuition reduction to certain programs; providing maximum benefit; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2283 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  A student shall be eligible for a reduction of resident tuition and fees as provided for in this section if the student:
1.  Is the dependent of a full-time certified or support employee of a public school district as defined in Section 26-103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes who has been employed for not less than three (3) years; 
2.  Graduated within the previous three (3) years from a high school accredited by the State Board of Education, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics or from a high school located in the state that is not accredited by the State Board of Education, or satisfactorily completed within the previous three (3) years an education program that was provided through a means other than a public or private school; 
3.  Is an Oklahoma resident; 
4.  Does not currently hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and 
5.  Meets all admission and retention requirements of an institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
B.  A student meeting all of the eligibility requirements as set forth in subsection A of this section shall be awarded a reduction of resident tuition and fees provided the student is enrolled in a:
1.  Program of study leading to an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree; and 
2.  Minimum of six (6) hours in the fall or spring semester or a minimum of three (3) hours in the summer term.  The student may meet this minimum enrollment requirement either at a single institution or more than one institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and either through enrollment in an on-campus course or an online course.
C.  The reduction of resident tuition and fees provided for in this section shall cover resident tuition and fees for all courses for which resident tuition is charged and all other academic service fees charged by the institution in which the student is enrolled.  
D.  The reduction of resident tuition and fees shall be in an amount as follows:
1.  Twenty-five percent (25%) of resident tuition and fees which students are required to pay as a condition of enrollment at the comprehensive universities within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; 
2.  Thirty percent (30%) of resident tuition and fees which students are required to pay as a condition of enrollment at the regional universities within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; and 
3.  Fifty percent (50%) of resident tuition and fees which students are required to pay as a condition of enrollment at the two-year colleges within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. 
E.  The reduction of resident tuition and fees provided for in this section shall not be awarded for programs leading to a certificate, continuing education courses, or career technology courses which are not counted towards a degree program at another institution.  The tuition and fee reduction shall not apply to professional programs which do not require an earned degree.
F.  A student may receive a resident tuition and fees reduction as provided for in this section for a maximum of eighteen (18) semester credit hours each semester.  A student shall not receive a resident tuition and fee reduction for courses or units in excess of the requirements for a degree program or taken more than five (5) years after the first semester of postsecondary enrollment by the student.  A student shall receive a resident tuition and fee reduction for as long as the parent or legal guardian of the student remains a full-time certified or support employee of a public school district.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2011.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-1-6129	KB	01/05/11