Officials in Oklahoma’s higher education sector have submitted a budget request of $1.12 billion for fiscal year 2026. This proposed budget reflects a 9.3% increase, amounting to $95 million, from the current allocation of $1.02 billion approved for the 2025 fiscal year by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Oklahoma Higher Education Funding Request for Fiscal Year 2026
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have sanctioned this budget increase to support various legislative initiatives, workforce development efforts, and improvements in institutional quality and student support services.
Approximately $9.3 million of the budget is designated for programs designed to waive tuition for high school students engaged in concurrent enrollment, allowing them to take college courses while completing their high school education. An allocation of about $42 million is directed toward initiatives that address workforce needs in areas such as nursing, healthcare, and STEM fields. Additionally, this funding aims to encourage adults who have some college experience but no degree to return and complete their education.
The remaining funding request includes $43.7 million intended to promote institutional excellence and enhance student success. This portion will support various initiatives, including measures for campus safety and cybersecurity, improved student support services, and performance-based funding to assist with operational costs like salaries and insurance.
Legislative Agenda
Alongside the budget request, the Oklahoma State Regents have outlined their legislative agenda for the upcoming session, identifying six main priorities. Among the proposed initiatives is the creation of a scholarship program aimed at assisting adults seeking further education and workforce training later in life.
The regents also plan to expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act, which currently provides tax credits for donations that support tuition assistance in K-12 education. The proposed expansion would extend similar benefits to the higher education sector.
Jarrett Jobe, a legislative liaison for the regents, mentioned that a comparable bill had progressed through the House in the previous session but encountered delays in the Senate. He emphasized the importance of reintroducing this legislation in the upcoming session.
Additionally, the legislative agenda includes proposals to enhance the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program by extending application deadlines and establishing an appeals process for applicants. This scholarship initiative enables eligible Oklahoma students to receive scholarships for college tuition, with the proposed changes aimed at improving accessibility for students who may consider college later in their academic careers.
The agenda also seeks to enhance campus safety and security resources and to stabilize property insurance rates to help reduce operational costs for universities and colleges across the state.
Original source: Oklahoma Voice.