§ 70-4704. Consolidation of financial assistance program - Increasing assistance - Priority system for eligibility for assistance - National Merit scholars.

A.  The State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to consolidate the administration of all scholarship, forgiveable loan and teacher institute monies within one student financial assistance program.

B.  The Oklahoma Legislature believes that its citizens should receive the benefits of higher education and it further believes that the state benefits by having an educated populace.  It is the intent of the Legislature to increase funding to grant, scholarship, teacher institute and forgivable loan programs, as funds are made available.  The State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to establish a priority system for eligibility for assistance based on any one or more of the following criteria:

1.  need;

2.  minority or underprivileged status;

3.  potential for academic excellence;

4.  potential for excellence in targeted career areas, such as teaching; or

5.  potential as a research or teaching assistant at the post-graduate level.

C.  As funds are made available, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide full scholarships to allow National Merit scholars to attend any public institution of higher education in this state.  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide seventy-five percent (75%) scholarships to allow National Merit Semi-finalists to attend any public institution of higher education in this state.

Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 7, operative July 1, 1987.