Undated_ It's called Oklahoma's Promise, and
it's helped thousands of students go to college. However, the number of kids
who qualify for that promise could shrink significantly.
Monday, after a
heated debate, the House approved a bill that would lower the income cap for
families who qualify. It pays for tuition at a 2-year or 4-year public college
or university in Oklahoma.
Right now, a
student's total family income must be at or below $50,000 when they apply,
which can be as early as 8th grade. By
the time they enter college, the family income cannot be higher than $100,000. This
new bill would reduce that college entry-level income cap to $60,000
It would take
effect in the Fall of 2014. However, this change wouldn't affect to anyone
already attending college and in the program; it would only affect incoming
college freshmen for that year and the years after.
Cassidy Morgan
is an aspiring sports broadcaster. He said the Oklahoma Promise program has
given him the opportunity to attend Cameron
University to pursue his
dream.
"It's
putting less of a burden on me and my parents to pay," Morgan said.
He said he was
motivated to go to college even if he had to take out loans, but that's not the
case for some students.
"If
they're like me and know that it's going to be a burden financially, they may
not be as obligated to go or want to go," Morgan said.
Morgan
graduated from Comanche
High School in 2009. Last
year, the school had almost 25% of its graduates use the program, and Principal
Steven Dunham said he would hate to see fewer of those opportunities available.
"I
understand there's only so much money to go around," Dunham said. "I hate for
it to be on the backs of high school students and their parents that want to go
to college."
Students have
to apply between 8th and 10th grade and meet criteria, so Dunham said this
program also gives some borderline students a clear direction.
"Make
grades, take specific classes," Dunham said. "It's a good incentive for
them."
A lot of people
are saying this legislation goes directly against Governor Fallin's goal for
our state to produce more college grads. The author said that's actually all
wrong; her bill goes hand in hand with that goal.
She said there
are a limited number of applicants to the program, and her bill would ensure
availability for low income students. In a statement, she writes lawmakers
arguing against her are "actually arguing to take scholarships from low
income families and give it to families who can afford to send their children
to college."
Opponents say
those in favor simply want to save some of the $60M it takes to run the
program, so they can move forward with $120M tax cuts.
Either way,
Cassidy Morgan is thankful for the program for paying his tuition.
"I didn't
have to worry about that," Morgan said. "So, I could worry more on what I
wanted to do with my life."
Legislation was passed in 2007 to increase the income cap to $100,000, in
order to protect families that experience life changes in the years between
enrollment and going to college. Early numbers predict there would be about 500
kids per year that would qualify now, but not if this is signed into law.
All of our local house members voted in favor of the bill, except Joe
Dorman of Rush Springs. He said the legislation sends
the message that lawmakers aren't willing to invest in middle-class students
who want to go to college.
