Oklahoma Promise: Apply, Income & Tuition Rules

At a glance

Free if eligible

What it covers: Pays covered tuition at Oklahoma public two-year/four-year institutions; accredited private colleges and eligible public technology-centre programmes receive at least a portion. Fees, books, supplies and room/board are excluded.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗
Income / financial rules: Standard initial parent AGI: at most $60,000 with one/two dependent children, $70,000 with three/four, or $80,000 with five+. These count dependent children, not total household members. College years normally use a $100,000 AGI limit; the certified-teacher track instead uses 700% FPL and annual employment verification.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗
Who to check first: Be an Oklahoma resident and apply in grades 8–12 by December 31 of senior year, before official graduation. Homeschool/non-accredited/other schooling has a before-18th-birthday/end-of-school rule; check the specific branch.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗
Application timing: For grade-12 students in 2026–27, submit/postmark by December 31, 2026 and before official graduation. Grades 8–11 are encouraged to apply by June 30; homeschool timing is before age 18. Use the actual branch’s earlier applicable date.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

Read official guidanceYou’ll leave FreeCheapEdu. The program makes the eligibility decision.

Check your eligibility

Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.

Be an Oklahoma resident and apply in grades 8–12 by December 31 of senior year, before official graduation. Homeschool/non-accredited/other schooling has a before-18th-birthday/end-of-school rule; check the specific branch.The college-transferable route requires the 15-unit curriculum and 2.50 overall grades 9–12 and required-curriculum GPAs. Homeschool/non-accredited entrants have a specified ACT 22 or accepted SAT/CLT-equivalent testing route. Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present when enrolling in college.Start postsecondary courses within three years after graduation, normally use awards within five years and 129 semester credits unless the degree requires more, and maintain the campus’s federal-aid satisfactory progress.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

How to apply

1
Submit the OKcollegestart application with parent/guardian participation and the most recently completed tax-year documents. Meet the actual school-stage deadline, not just college admission timing.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗
2
Complete the required school curriculum and college admission, apply for other aid during senior year, and file FAFSA each college year for income verification before benefits are paid.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗
3
For the teacher-family track, indicate the parent’s teacher status in the same application and provide employment/certification records. The qualifying parent generally needs ten completed years and must maintain eligible employment; switching tracks must be completed by December 31 of senior year.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

What to watch for

The CORE high-school graduation route can fund eligible career-technology tuition but cannot transfer to college/university. Remedial zero-level courses and courses after the bachelor’s are excluded.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

Special income branches require documentation. Emergency/provisional teaching years do not count toward the teacher track’s service requirement, and private-school/retired/substitute status does not qualify; do not assume every school employee family is eligible.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

Common questions

What is the main benefit?

Pays covered tuition at Oklahoma public two-year/four-year institutions; accredited private colleges and eligible public technology-centre programmes receive at least a portion. Fees, books, supplies and room/board are excluded.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗

Is there an income limit?

Standard initial parent AGI: at most $60,000 with one/two dependent children, $70,000 with three/four, or $80,000 with five+. These count dependent children, not total household members. College years normally use a $100,000 AGI limit; the certified-teacher track instead uses 700% FPL and annual employment verification.

When should I apply?

For grade-12 students in 2026–27, submit/postmark by December 31, 2026 and before official graduation. Grades 8–11 are encouraged to apply by June 30; homeschool timing is before age 18. Use the actual branch’s earlier applicable date.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ↗