STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 54th Legislature (2014)

HOUSE BILL 2634	By:	Proctor

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to higher education; providing for a waiver of tuition for certain persons who served in the military; stating eligibility requirements; providing for award of tuition waiver for students that meet certain criteria; stating coverage of tuition waiver; limiting tuition waiver 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 3248 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  A student shall be eligible for a full waiver of resident tuition and mandatory fees as provided for in this section if the student:
1.  Is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States;
2.  Is an Oklahoma resident;
3.  Served as a member of the active uniformed military services of the United States on full-time active duty status of more than thirty (30) days and for whom Oklahoma is the home of record;
4.  Has used all of the benefits allowed under any Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit program which were earned by the student or all of the benefits have expired; 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 full waiver of resident tuition and mandatory 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.
C.  The waiver of resident tuition provided for in this section shall cover resident tuition for all courses for which resident tuition is charged.
D.  The waiver of resident tuition 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 waiver shall not apply to professional programs which do not require an earned degree.
E.  A student may receive a resident tuition waiver as provided for in this section for a total of one hundred twenty-eight (128) credit hours, with a maximum of eighteen (18) semester credit hours each semester, for up to six (6) years from the date of first application.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2014.
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.

54-2-8579	KB	01/13/14