Oklahoma House Bill HB3507

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Schools; creating a task force to study feasibility of requiring high school students to complete certain application prior to graduation; effective date; emergency.

Impact

The bill stipulates that the task force must complete its study and report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2022. It further establishes parameters for the task force's operations, including the requirement for meetings to adhere to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. This legislation is expected to not only evaluate the requirement of FAFSA completion but also consider opportunities for students to opt-out, which acknowledges the need for flexibility based on student circumstances. If adopted, this requirement could drastically shift how high schools prepare students for graduation, potentially increasing the number of students pursuing higher education.

Summary

House Bill 3507 seeks to create a task force designated to study the feasibility of requiring high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a prerequisite for graduation. This initiative aims to enhance student access to financial aid for higher education by ensuring that students are informed about and encouraged to apply for such assistance. The task force will consist of nine members from various educational sectors and will include representatives from the State Department of Education, higher education institutions, and both houses of the legislature.

Contention

Notably, there are concerns surrounding the potential implications of making FAFSA completion mandatory. Critics fear that this requirement could be viewed as an additional hurdle for students, particularly those from lower-income families who may already face numerous challenges on their path to graduation. Furthermore, the effectiveness of such a mandate relies heavily on the availability of resources and support for students to not only complete the FAFSA application but also understand its importance. Therefore, the discussion may pivot to addressing how to effectively educate and assist students with the application process to alleviate any undue burden.