Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 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.