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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
HOUSE BILL 2555 By: McBride and Baker
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to scholarships; creating the
Oklahoma Critical In dustries Scholarship Program;
providing for four-year pilot program; directing
Oklahoma State Regen ts for Higher Education to
administer program; establi shing minimum eligibility
criteria for students; requiring identification of
critical industry programs ; including computer
science, engineering, and cybersecurity programs;
providing for matching state funds with funds from
certain entities; requiring matching funds to be
capped; authorizing certain reduction in payments;
permitting set aside for funds; allowing funds to be
used for program administration; directing submission
of annual report of program; providing for
codification; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2501 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Beginning July 1, 2023, t here is hereby created the Oklahoma
Critical Industries Scholarship Program. The program shall be a
four-year pilot program to encourage hig h school graduates to pursue
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degree-seeking or certificate -seeking post-secondary education
training in industries which are critical to the economic growth of
the state.
B. The Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship Program shall
be administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The scholarship amounts and student eligibility for the program
shall be established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education and may vary by individual higher education institution or
technology center school. At a minimum, eli gible students shall be:
1. Enrolled full-time at a state public higher education
institution or state public technology center school;
2. Pursuing a degree or certification in an accredited critical
industry program; and
3. Shall not be pursuing a graduate degree.
C. Eligible critical industry programs offered by state public
higher education ins titutions and state public technology center
schools shall be identified by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education, in coordination with the S tate Board of Career and
Technology Education and shall include computer science,
engineering, and cybersecurity programs.
D. The program shall match state funds up to Fifteen Million
Dollars ($15,000,000.00) on a pro rata basis with funds from state
public higher education institutions , state public technology center
schools, and private funding sources to provide scholarships for
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eligible students. State matching funds shall be capped for each
higher education institution and technology center school.
E. If sufficient funds are not available to award scholarships
to eligible participants during any fi scal year, the Chancellor may
make reductions in the p ayments made to participants.
F. At the time a scholarship is awarded on behalf of the
Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship Program, the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education m ay set aside funds for the full
commitment made to a participating student.
G. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Educatio n may utilize
Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship Program designated funds
for administration of the program.
H. The Oklahoma State Regen ts for Higher Education in
cooperation with the State Board of Career and Technology Education
shall prepare and submit an annual report on the Oklahoma C ritical
Industries Scholarship Program on or before July 1 of each year to
the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the President
Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, and the Governor.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is he reby
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declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its pas sage and approval.
59-1-5154 EK 01/18/23