An Oklahoma lawmaker is striving to help former inmates pursue higher education. State Rep. Trish Ranson from Stillwater believes that those who have served their time should have the chance to earn degrees online.
“These individuals have paid their dues,” Rep. Ranson told Fox 25. “We need to ensure they have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. How can they reach for the American dream if we hold them back?”
To support this goal, Rep. Ranson introduced House Bill 1980. This bill would allow individuals with a felony record to apply for online college programs without having to disclose their criminal history.
Some applicants feel discouraged when they see questions about previous felonies on applications. Shad Hagan, who spent five years in prison for forgery, faced this challenge. He reported that the questions made him hesitant to complete his college application.
“It felt unrealistic. Some records were hard to get,” Hagan recalled. “Eventually, I just decided not to go through with it.”
After explaining his situation to Langston University, Hagan graduated in 2021 and has plans for a doctorate.
He believes that eliminating the felony question on applications is a step in the right direction. “This makes sense. It will help people enroll in college,” he shared.
Currently, discussions are ongoing about which felonies, if any, might still prevent someone from being accepted into college. The fate of this bill will be closely watched as the 2025 legislative session unfolds.
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Higher education,Former inmates,State Rep. Ranson,Online programs,House Bill 1980,Criminal history,College applications,Access
