Thousands of additional Oklahoma eighth, ninth
and 10th grade students now have access to free college tuition
through the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education announced recently.
During its last session, the Oklahoma Legislature, which created
OHLAP in 1992, increased the gross annual family income limit for
the program from $32,000 to $50,000. With this increase in the income
guidelines, it is estimated that more than 3,400 additional students
will become eligible for the scholarship this year.
"It is rewarding to see more students have the opportunity to achieve
their educational goals by earning financial aid through OHLAP,
and we encourage the thousands of Oklahomans who now qualify under
the new income requirement to enroll in this program," said Chancellor
Hans Brisch. "The OHLAP scholarship program opens the door to many
students who otherwise would not have the financial means to attend
college."
To date, more than 1,500 students from 322 different high schools
representing all 77 counties have received OHLAP scholarships totaling
$3.8 million. The scholarships are paid from funds provided by the
Oklahoma Legislature.
The OHLAP scholarship is designed to help eighth, ninth and 10th
grade students with financial need and academic promise to attend
the state college or university of their choice. For students who
fulfill the program requirements, the state will pay their full
tuition at an Oklahoma public college or university, a portion of
their tuition at a private institution or the cost of specific courses
for college credit at an Oklahoma public career technology center.
Students can use the scholarship through the completion of a bachelor's
degree or a maximum of five years, as long as the student maintains
good academic standing.
In addition to meeting the family income requirement, eligible students
must attend classes regularly, complete homework assignments and
attain at least a 2.5 (C+) grade point average in 17 specified courses.
Students must also stay away from drugs and alcohol and refrain
from delinquent acts.
"The OHLAP scholarship program enables hard-working students to
fulfill educational and career goals by setting a course for college
early in their high school careers," said State Regents Chairman
Leonard J. Eaton Jr. "It also rewards students for their academic
diligence while strengthening and supporting positive, responsible
traits that are necessary to succeed in college and the workplace."
In an effort to increase awareness, OHLAP information and application
packets with the new income guidelines were mailed last month to
middle and high school counselors for distribution to Oklahoma students.
For more information on OHLAP visit a high school counselor or higher
education's Student Center Web site at www.okhighered.org or call
800.858.1840.
