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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
SENATE BILL 1626 By: Seifried
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 3218.8 , which relates to tuition and
fee rates; removing language directing certain
combined average at comprehensive universities to
remain less than certain combined average at
institutions that are members of certain conference;
directing certain combined average to no t exceed
certain combined average at institutions in certain
states; updating statutory reference; providing an
effective date; and declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3218.8, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3218.8. A. Subject to the provisions of subsection D
of this section, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are
authorized to establish undergraduate resident tuition, nonresident
tuition, and mandatory fees, wh ich students shall pay as a condition
of enrollment, except as otherwise provid ed by law. The process for
establishing tuition and mandatory fees shall incorporate the
provisions of Section 3218.14 of this title.
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1. At the comprehensive universities the combined average of
the resident tuition and mandatory fees established for any school
year for the nonguaranteed rate, as determined by the State Regents,
shall remain less than the combined average of the resident tuition
and fees at the state -supported institutions of higher education
that are members of the Big Twelve Conference on the effective date
of this act. The combined average of the nonresident tuition and
mandatory fees, as determined by the State Regents, shall remain
less than one hundred fi ve percent (105%) of the combined average of
the nonresident tuition and fees at the state -supported institutions
of higher education that are members of the Big Twelve Conference on
the effective date of this act.
2. At the comprehensive universities, regional universities,
and two-year colleges the combined average of the resident tuition
and mandatory fees established for any school year for the
nonguaranteed rate, as determined by the State Regents, shall remain
less than the combined average of the resident tuition and mandatory
fees at like-type state-supported comprehensive, regional, or two -
year institutions of higher education in states as determined and
approved by the State Regents that include, but are not limited to,
those adjacent states contiguous to Oklahoma. The combined average
of the nonresident tuition and mandato ry fees, as determined by the
State Regents, shall remain less than one hundred five percent
(105%) of the combined average of the nonresid ent tuition and fees
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at like-type state-supported comprehensive, regional, or two-year
institutions of higher education in states as determined and
approved by the State Regents that include, but are not limited to,
those adjacent states contiguous to Oklahoma.
B. In its deliberation on the e stablishment of resident tuition
rates for undergraduate and graduate education , the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education shall balance the affordability of
public higher education with the provision of availabl e, diverse,
and high-quality learning opportunities. In this endeavor the State
Regents shall give consideration to consider the level of state
appropriations, the state economy, t he per capita income and cost of
living, the college-going and college-retention rates, and the
availability of financial aid in Oklahoma. For any increase in t he
tuition rates, the State Reg ents shall demonstrate a reasonable
effort to effect a proportionate increase in the availability of
need-based student financial aid. Nee d-based financial aid shall
include, but shall not be limited to, awards for the Oklahoma Higher
Learning Access Program, Okla homa Tuition Aid Grants, federal need -
based financial aid and tuition waivers, and private donations. In
addition, when determining the guaranteed tuition rates as pro vided
for in subsection D of this section, the State Regents shall
consider the anticipated revenue needs during the four -year period
of the guarantee.
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C. Students permitted to audit courses shall pay the same
resident tuition and nonresident tuition as r equired of students who
enroll for course credit.
D. 1. Beginning with the 2008 -2009 academic year, each
comprehensive and regional institution within The Oklahoma State
System of Higher Education shall offer to resident students
enrolling for the first time as a full-time undergraduate a tuition
rate that will be guaranteed for a period of not less than four (4)
consecutive academic years as provided for in this subsection.
Students shall have the option to particip ate or not participate in
the guaranteed tuition rate program and shall indicate their
election at the time of enrollment. Each institution shall provide
students with the following info rmation prior to enrollment:
a. the annual tuition rate charged and the percentage
increase for the previou s four (4) academic years, and
b. the annual tuition and percentage increase th at the
nonguaranteed tuition rate would have to increase to
equal or exceed the guaranteed tuition rate for the
succeeding four (4) academi c years.
2. Except as otherwise provi ded for in this subsection, for a
student who elects to participate in the guaranteed tuition rate
program, who is a resident of the state, and who e nrolls for the
first time as a full -time undergraduate student at an institution in
the state after the 200 7-2008 academic year, the amount of
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undergraduate resident tuition charged to t he student for four (4)
consecutive academic years at a comprehensive and regional
institution shall not exceed the amount that the student was charged
at the time of first enro llment, nor shall it exceed one hundred
fifteen percent (115%) of the nonguaranteed undergraduate tuition
rate charged to resident students enrolling for the first time as
undergraduate students at the same institution for the same academic
year.
3. If the normal time of completion for an undergraduate
program is more than four (4) years, as determined by the
institution, the amount of resident tuition charged to students in
that program who have elected to participate in the guaranteed
tuition rate program shall not increase during the normal completion
period of the program.
4. If a student who has elected to participate in the
guaranteed tuition ra te program is a member of the United States
Armed Forces including the Army and Air National Guard, the Arm y,
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guar d Reserves, or any
other component of the Armed Forces, and when ordered by the proper
authority to active or inactive duty or service is required to
withdraw from an ins titution for military or other nationa l defense
emergencies, the amount of resident tuition the student is required
to pay upon reentering the institution shall not exceed the amount
the student was charged at the time of withdrawal.
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5. If a student who has elected to participate in the
guaranteed tuition rate program transfers to another institution or
transfers from a constituent agency of an institution to another
constituent agency or the institution after initial enrollment, the
student shall be charg ed the amount of resident tuition char ged to
other students enrolling for the first time at that institution or
constituent agency.
6. If a student who has elected to participate in the
guaranteed tuition rate program changes majors or transfers to
another campus of the same institution after initial enrollment, the
tuition charged to the student shall equal the amount the student
would have been charged had the student been admitted to the changed
major or enrolled at the new campus when the student first enrolled.
This paragraph shall not a pply if a student transfers from a
constituent agency of an institution to another constituent agency
of the institution.
7. A student who elects to participate in the guaranteed
tuition rate program shall maintain full -time enrollment during the
guaranteed four-year period. For purposes of this subse ction, full-
time enrollment shall be the number of credit hours as determined by
the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to be full -time
enrollment for each institution.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
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SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
59-2-3014 EB 1/12/2024 3:36:28 PM