October 10, 2008 — Sen. Sean Burrage, a member of the Rogers State University Foundation Board of Directors, is serving on a statewide task force established to examine Oklahoma’s Promise, a state-funded scholarship program that provides free tuition to qualifying Oklahoma high school graduates.
This fall, nearly 500 RSU students have qualified for more than $500,000 in aid through Oklahoma’s Promise, also known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.
Burrage, D-Claremore, was appointed to the task force by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan. He will serve with 10 other appointees including Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, who was appointed by Chris Benge, Speaker of the House.
Chancellor Glen Johnson, of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, will chair the task force. Members include Sen. John Ford, Rep. Randy Terrill, Dr. Charles Bruce, senior director of scholarships and financial aid, Oklahoma State University; Nancy Moats, director of financial aid, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma; Myrna Cross, director of financial aid, Western Oklahoma State College; Jonna Raney, director of student financial services, Oklahoma Baptist University; State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, and Dr. Phil Berkenbile, director of career and technology education.
Oklahoma’s Promise awards are based on a family income standard of $50,000 per household. tudents must sign up for the program while in grades 8, 9 or 10. The task force is charged with reviewing the definition of income with consideration of family size, inflation, number of children in college and lesser benefits for families whose income moderately exceeds the limits.
