The children of longtime teachers now qualify for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship, so long as their household income is under 700 percent of the federal poverty level.
The office of House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore issued a press release on June 30, noting that his House Bill 1727, which was signed into law on June 10, would take effect on July 1.
The bill broadens the scholarship program, allowing the children of educators to qualify.
There are some regulations -- the teachers must be full-time by statute and have taught for at least 10 years.
“This legislation has so many positives,” Moore said.
“It removes financial barriers, allowing more Oklahoma graduates to go onto higher learning at a lessened cost.
“It will help with recruitment and retention of teachers.”
Moore added that it could incentivize teachers who are alternatively or emergency certified to become fully certified, as well as keep those teachers in the classroom longer.
“This builds on the work the Legislature has done the last few years to improve working conditions for Oklahoma teachers, increasing their pay and benefits, and our efforts to improve academic outcomes for students,” he said.
The Oklahoma Promise program, formally known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, allows students who meet certain financial, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or vocational- technology tuition scholarship. It was created by the Legislature in 1992.