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OklahomaHB 3710Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Education; Rising Scholars Award Program; eligibility; cohort-based award schedules; effective date.

Sponsored By: Chad Caldwell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

What Rising Scholars pays for

Beginning November 1, 2026, the scholarship can pay tuition, required fees, room and board, and books for up to five years. All awards depend on available program funds. For top qualifiers, aid can cover up to the full cost at your public college, or up to the cost at the comparable Oklahoma public college with the highest general enrollment fees for that type if you attend a private Oklahoma college. For Institutional Nominees, the scholarship covers average fees, room and board, and books. State System schools must also give a tuition waiver up to average tuition. Total aid cannot exceed the State Regents’ annual cost limits for the school type, and internship costs do not count against these caps.

Who qualifies for Rising Scholars

Beginning November 1, 2026, you can qualify for a Rising Scholars award in several ways. You qualify as an Oklahoma resident with an ACT or SAT in the 99.5–100.0 percentile plus top grades or class rank set by the State Regents. You also qualify if you are a U.S. Presidential Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, or a National Merit Finalist. An Oklahoma public college can also nominate you if you are in the 95.0–99.49 percentile or show exceptional academic achievement; nominations must be after October 1, 1999. Institutional Nominee awards take effect only after the State Regents verify your documentation. If you identify a disability and ask for nonstandard testing, the State Regents use alternative assessments and set your award level. The State Regents set the detailed program rules.

Full-time study required for awards

Beginning November 1, 2026, you must be enrolled full-time at an accredited Oklahoma public or private college to receive Rising Scholars payments. Part-time students and students at out-of-state schools cannot receive the scholarship.

Award amounts vary by cohort year

Beginning November 1, 2026, the State Regents may set award schedules by the year you first receive the scholarship. Your amount can be higher or lower depending on your entry year. They can also set different award sizes by qualifying category.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chad Caldwell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Pugh

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 167 • No: 13

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Committee vote: Education

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 89 • No: 5

House vote • 3/4/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 20 • No: 4

House vote • 2/16/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 5 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 05/11/2026

    5/11/2026House

  2. Sent to Governor

    5/5/2026House

  3. Enrolled measure signed, returned to House

    5/5/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled, signed, to Senate

    5/5/2026House

  5. Referred for enrollment

    5/5/2026House

  6. Engrossed measure signed, returned to House

    5/5/2026Senate

  7. Measure passed: Ayes: 44 Nays: 0

    5/5/2026Senate

  8. General Order, Considered

    5/5/2026Senate

  9. Placed on General Order

    4/16/2026Senate

  10. Reported Do Pass Education committee; CR filed

    4/14/2026Senate

  11. Second Reading referred to Education

    4/1/2026Senate

  12. First Reading

    3/24/2026Senate

  13. Engrossed, signed, to Senate

    3/24/2026House

  14. Referred for engrossment

    3/23/2026House

  15. Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 89 Nays: 5

    3/23/2026House

  16. General Order

    3/23/2026House

  17. Authored by Senator Pugh (principal Senate author)

    3/5/2026House

  18. CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Committee

    3/5/2026House

  19. Recommendation to the full committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee

    2/17/2026House

  20. Referred to Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee

    2/11/2026House

  21. Referred to Appropriations and Budget

    2/11/2026House

  22. Withdrawn from Rules Committee

    2/11/2026House

  23. Second Reading referred to Rules

    2/3/2026House

  24. Authored by Representative Caldwell (Chad)

    2/2/2026House

  25. First Reading

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    5/5/2026

    PDF

  • Floor (Senate)

    4/15/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Committee Report

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • Engrossed

    3/24/2026

    PDF

  • Floor (House)

    3/9/2026

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    3/5/2026

    PDF

  • House Committee Substitute

    3/5/2026

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    2/17/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2026

    PDF

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