Senator proposes OHLAP expansion
If passed, a proposal to increase scholarship income caps would make 85 percent of Oklahomans eligible for state money

OKLAHOMA CITY — The vast majority of young prospective college students in Oklahoma would be eligible for free tuition under a proposal made Wednesday by the leader of the Oklahoma Senate.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, speaking at The Associated Press’ annual Legislative Workshop, said he would push for a major expansion in a merit-based scholarship program that has helped thousands of students go to college. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program now pays tuition to Oklahoma universities for students who maintain a 2.5 grade point average in high school and have a family income that does not exceed $50,000.

Morgan’s proposal would expand the income eligibility to $75,000, increasing the number of students eligible for the program by 20 percent. His plan would make 85 percent of Oklahoma households eligible for OHLAP scholarships and would expand the program’s estimated cost to $176 million in nine years.