Regents outline Oklahoma’s Promise costs and teacher‑pipeline gains from Inspire to Teach

Chancellor Burridge and Regents staff briefed lawmakers on college access and teacher pipeline programs central to the FY27 request, providing updated program costs, enrollment figures and early outcomes.

Burridge estimated Oklahoma's Promise will cost roughly $88,000,000 in the upcoming fiscal year and said Regents will work with legislators to evaluate proposals to expand eligibility and assess costs and outcomes. He noted recent adjustments to income limits and an eligibility extension for children of certified K‑12 teachers have already expanded access.

Jerry Jo, vice chancellor for government relations, reported the Inspire to Teach program has 7,632 students enrolled and has produced 605 graduates currently teaching in Oklahoma public schools. He said Inspire to Teach participants who teach for five years receive a $4,000 annual stipend — $20,000 total — as an incentive to enter and remain in the classroom.

Officials provided early application figures for the teacher eligibility track within Oklahoma's Promise: 1,522 online applications were submitted to the teacher track and 443 current students moved into the teacher track, for a total of 1,965 students in that track at the time of the hearing. Burridge said adding the teacher component for the first cohort (fall 2026) will cost about $5,000,000.

Burridge characterized Oklahoma's Promise as an effective college access program that produces higher GPAs, retention and degree completion among recipients and contributes to the state's workforce: "We're investing these kids, and they're showing that they're investing back in our state," he told the committee.

Members asked for further detail on program costs and application trends; Regents staff said they would provide follow‑up data where requested.