Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2605

A. Each school year, every fifth- through eleventh-grade

student in the public and private schools of this state and students

who are educated by other means and are in the equivalent of the

fifth through eleventh grade shall be apprised, together with the

parent, custodial parent, or guardian of the student, of the

opportunity for access to higher learning under the Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Program. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education and the State Board of Education shall develop, promote,

and coordinate a public awareness program to be utilized in making

students and parents aware of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program.

B. On a form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education, every public school district shall designate at least one

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program contact person, who shall be

a counselor or teacher, at each public school site in this state in

which eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade classes are taught.

When requested by the State Regents, the State Board of Education

shall assist the State Regents to ensure the designation of contact

persons. Private schools shall also designate at least one school

official as a contact person. For students who are educated by

other means, a parent or guardian or other person approved by the

State Regents shall be designated the contact person.

C. 1. Students who qualify on the basis of financial need

according to subsection D or E of this section or who meet the

eligibility qualification set forth in subparagraph a of paragraph 1

of subsection B of Section 2603 of this title no later than December

31 of their twelfth-grade year or prior to reaching the age of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1392

seventeen (17) and who qualify on the basis of the standards and

provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education shall be given the opportunity throughout the eighth-,

ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade years and no later than December

31 of the twelfth-grade year, for students enrolled in a public or

private school, or between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen

(17), for students who are educated by other means, to enter into

participation in the program by agreeing to, throughout the

remainder of their school years or educational program:

a. attend school or an educational program regularly and

do homework regularly,

b. refrain from substance abuse,

c. refrain from commission of crimes or delinquent acts,

d. have school work and school records reviewed by

mentors designated pursuant to the program,

e. provide information requested by the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education or the State Board of

Education, and

f. participate in program activities.

2. Students who meet the eligibility qualification set forth in

subparagraph a of paragraph 1 of subsection B of Section 2603 of

this title after December 31 of their twelfth-grade year or after

reaching the age of eighteen (18) shall be given the opportunity

prior to reaching the age of twenty-one (21) to enter into

participation in the program and shall execute an agreement with

provisions as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education.

3. The contact person shall maintain the agreements, which

shall be executed on forms provided by the Oklahoma State Regents

for Higher Education and managed according to regulations

promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and

the contact person shall monitor compliance of the student with the

terms of the agreement. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education are authorized to process student agreements and verify

compliance with the agreements. Students failing to comply with the

terms of the agreement shall not be eligible for the awards provided

in Section 2604 of this title.

4. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may provide
compliance of the student with the

terms of the agreement. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education are authorized to process student agreements and verify

compliance with the agreements. Students failing to comply with the

terms of the agreement shall not be eligible for the awards provided

in Section 2604 of this title.

4. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may provide

an exception to the age limits provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of

this subsection pursuant to subsection L of this section.

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5-132 and 5-132.1

of this title, a student who is age twenty-one (21) or older shall

not be eligible to enter into participation in the program.

D. Except as otherwise provided for in subsection E of this

section and except for students who qualify pursuant to subsection B

of Section 2603 of this title, a student shall not be found to be in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1393

financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program if:

1. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, or tenth-grade students who

are enrolled in a public or private school or students between the

ages of thirteen (13) and fifteen (15) who are educated by other

means who apply for participation in the program in the 2017-2018

school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s) exceeds Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) per year;

2. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade

students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students

between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated

by other means who apply for participation in the program in the

2021-2022 school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the

student’s parent(s) exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per

year;

3. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade

students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students

between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated

by other means who apply for participation in the program in the

2022-2023 school year:

a. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have two or fewer dependent children,

exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year,

b. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have three or four dependent children,

exceeds Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per

year, or

c. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have five or more dependent children,

exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year;

4. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade

students or twelfth-grade students no later than December 31 of

their twelfth-grade year who are enrolled in a public or private

school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen
gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have five or more dependent children,

exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year;

4. Beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade

students or twelfth-grade students no later than December 31 of

their twelfth-grade year who are enrolled in a public or private

school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen

(17) who are educated by other means who apply for participation in

the program in the 2025-2026 school year:

a. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have two or fewer dependent children,

exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year,

b. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have three or four dependent children,

exceeds Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per

year, or

c. the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s), who have five or more dependent children,

exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1394

5. Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, prior to

receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award

for any year during which the student is enrolled in an institution

which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education,

a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology

center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal

student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning

located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of

this title, the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s

parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per

year.

The determination of financial qualification as set forth in

this paragraph shall be based on the income of the student, not the

income of the parent(s), if a student:

a. is determined to be independent of the student’s

parents for federal financial aid purposes,

b. was in the permanent custody of the Department of

Human Services at the time the student enrolled in the

program, or

c. was in the court-ordered custody of a federally

recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal

Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, at the time the

student enrolled in the program.

The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to any student who

has received an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit

award after the 2017-2018 school year; and

6. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall review

the determination of financial qualification as set forth in

paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this subsection if the income from

taxable and nontaxable sources of the student’s parent(s) includes

income received from nontaxable military benefits or income received

from the federal Social Security Administration due to the death or

disability of the student’s parent(s). If the income from taxable

and nontaxable sources of the student’s parent(s), excluding income

received from nontaxable military benefits or income received from

the federal Social Security Administration due to the death or

disability of the student’s parent(s), does not exceed the

limitations set forth by paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this

subsection, the student shall be determined to have met the

financial qualification set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of

this subsection.

E. 1. A student who was adopted between birth and twelve (12)

years of age while in the permanent custody of the Department of

Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a licensed private

nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally recognized Indian

tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978,

shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1395

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the time the student
f the Department of

Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a licensed private

nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally recognized Indian

tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978,

shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1395

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the time the student

begins postsecondary education and prior to receiving any Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Program benefit award, the federal adjusted

gross income of the student’s parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Fifty

Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) per year. The provisions of this

paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the

2012-2013 school year.

2. A student who was adopted between thirteen (13) and

seventeen (17) years of age while in the permanent custody of the

Department of Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a

licensed private nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally

recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child

Welfare Act of 1978, shall not be found to be in financial need for

purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the

time the student begins postsecondary education and prior to

receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award,

the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s parent(s) exceeds

Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year. The provisions

of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the

2012-2013 school year.

3. A student who was placed in the custody of the Department of

Human Services at any time during the eighth, ninth, tenth, or

eleventh grade and enrolls in the program no later than his or her

official date of high school graduation shall not be found to be in

financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program if the federal adjusted gross income of the student exceeds

Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year.

4. Except for students who qualify pursuant to subsection B of

Section 2603 of this title, the determination of financial

qualification as set forth in this subsection shall be based on the

income of the student, not the income of the parent(s), if the

student is determined to be independent of the student’s parent(s)

for federal financial aid purposes. A determination of financial

qualification shall not be required for the student who meets the

criteria set forth in this subsection at the time the student

applies for participation in the program. The provisions of this

paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the

2008-2009 school year.

5. a. A student who is the child of a certified classroom

teacher at the time the student applies for

participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program shall not be found to be in financial need for

the purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program if, beginning with eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1396

eleventh-grade students or twelfth-grade students no

later than December 31 of their twelfth-grade year

who are enrolled in a public or private school or

students between thirteen (13) and seventeen (17)

years of age who are educated by other means who apply

for participation in the program in the 2025-2026

school year, the household income of the student's

parent(s) is equal to or greater than seven hundred

percent (700%) of the federal poverty level (FPL).

b. Prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program benefit award for any year during which the

student is enrolled in an institution that is a member

of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a
ogram in the 2025-2026

school year, the household income of the student's

parent(s) is equal to or greater than seven hundred

percent (700%) of the federal poverty level (FPL).

b. Prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program benefit award for any year during which the

student is enrolled in an institution that is a member

of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a

postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by

a technology center school that meets the eligibility

requirements for federal student financial aid, or a

private institution of higher learning located within

this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of

this title, the household income of the parent(s) of a

student who qualifies pursuant to this paragraph shall

not be equal to or greater than seven hundred percent

(700%) of the federal poverty level (FPL).

c. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall

verify the full-time employment status of the

student’s parent(s) prior to a student who qualifies

pursuant to this paragraph receiving any Oklahoma

Higher Learning Access Program benefit award.

d. For the purposes of this paragraph, “certified

classroom teacher” means a certified, full-time

classroom teacher who has been employed as a teacher

in a public school district classroom in this state

for a minimum of ten (10) years prior to his or her

child applying for participation in the program. The

teacher is not required to have been employed by the

same public school district for ten (10) consecutive

years. Certified classroom teacher does not mean a

certified teacher who is employed as a school district

superintendent, principal, or any other position

within the administration of a public school district

when his or her child applies for participation in the

program or prior to his or her child receiving any

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award.

F. The financial qualification of a student as set forth in

subsections D and E of this section shall be certified by the

contact person or by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

on the agreement form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for

Higher Education. The form shall be retained in the permanent

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record of the student and a copy forwarded to the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education.

G. Agreements shall be witnessed by the parent, custodial

parent, or guardian of the student, who shall further agree to:

1. Assist the student in achieving compliance with the

agreements;

2. Confer, when requested to do so, with the school contact

person, other school personnel, and program mentors;

3. Provide information requested by the Oklahoma State Regents

for Higher Education or the State Board of Education; and

4. Assist the student in completing forms and reports required

for program participation, making applications to institutions and

schools of higher learning, and filing applications for student

grants and scholarships.

H. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall

promulgate rules for the determination of student compliance with

agreements made pursuant to this section.

I. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall

designate personnel to coordinate tracking of program records for

the years when students participating in the program are still in

the schools or are being educated by other means, provide staff

development for contact persons in the schools, and provide liaison

with the State Board of Education and local organizations and

individuals participating in the program.

J. The school district where an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program student is enrolled when the student begins participation in

the program and any subsequent school district where the student

enrolls shall forward information regarding participation by the

student in the program to a school to which the student transfers
local organizations and

individuals participating in the program.

J. The school district where an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access

Program student is enrolled when the student begins participation in

the program and any subsequent school district where the student

enrolls shall forward information regarding participation by the

student in the program to a school to which the student transfers

upon the request of the school for the records of the student.

K. Students participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning

Access Program shall provide their Social Security number or their

student identification number used by their school to the Oklahoma

State Regents for Higher Education. The State Regents shall keep

the numbers confidential and use them only for administrative

purposes.

L. The State Regents may provide an exception to the age limits

provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection C of this section

to a student due to hardship circumstances and allow an application

to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program for twelfth-grade

students enrolled in a public or private school and students who are

educated by other means and are in the equivalent of twelfth grade.

Provided, however, the exception due to hardship circumstances shall

not apply to:

1. A student enrolled in a public or private school after the

student’s official date of high school graduation;

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2. A student educated by other means who is age nineteen (19)

or older; or

3. Any student who is age twenty-one (21) or older.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall promulgate

rules to implement the provisions of this subsection.