Okla. Admin. Code § 610:25-7-6

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 610:25-7-6 - Eligibility; amount of grant; application procedures and deadlines; disbursement of funds

(a)A college tuition aid grant may be awarded annually to each eligible, qualified full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a curriculum leading to a degree or certificate in an institution of collegiate grade or postsecondary institution providing a program of training to prepare students for employment in a recognized occupation in Oklahoma approved or accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or appropriate postsecondary agency in accordance with the following [70 O.S. § 626.7]:

(1) Eligibility.

(A) Each full-time or part-time resident student's financial eligibility will be based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated for federal Title IV student financial aid eligibility. A resident student is one who meets the current Policy on Residence Status of Enrolled Students in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

(B)The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall determine by rules and regulations the maximum number of semesters a student may be eligible for grants. [70 O.S. § 626.7] An otherwise eligible undergraduate student can continue to receive awards as long as they are eligible for funding from the federal Pell grant program. Graduate students can receive a maximum of eight full-time disbursements.

(C)No student shall be eligible for grants unless he maintains such minimum standards of academic performance as are required by the institution in which the student is enrolled. [70 O.S. § 626.7] The minimum standards of academic performance shall be those required by the institution for federal Title IV financial aid recipients.

(D) Students who are incarcerated are not eligible to receive tuition aid grants. Incarceration will be defined in accordance with the current definition for federal Pell grant eligibility.

(E) Students must be enrolled in a postsecondary institution eligible to participate in the federal Title IV student financial aid programs.

(F) Students must meet all general eligibility requirements for recipients of federal Title IV student financial aid. The school of attendance will report each student's completed application status through a reporting system provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

(G)In the event a student for any reason ceases to continue to be enrolled during the course of an academic year, the student shall cease to be eligible for tuition aid. [70 O.S. § 626.7]

(2) Amount of grant.

(A)The amount of tuition aid grant to any student under this act [70 O.S. § 626.1 et seq.] for any semester shall represent a percentage not greater than seventy-five percent (75%) of the tuition and enrollment fees normally charged to residents of the State of Oklahoma by the institution of attendance. [70 O.S. § 626.7]

(B)The percentage of aid awarded shall be based on a need analysis system that is consistent with federal student financial aid regulations. [70 O.S. § 626.7]

(C)The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall determine by rules the annual maximum award based on an annual assessment of funds availability. [70 O.S. § 626.7]

(D) The minimum amount of grant to be awarded is $200 per academic year or $100 per semester or other enrollment period.

(E) The award must be included in the student's financial aid package managed by the institution. If the inclusion of the tuition aid grant award results in the student receiving more financial assistance than is needed to meet their cost of education as determined by the institution, the institution will resolve the over-award in accordance with federal Title IV student financial aid regulations. The institution may reduce or revoke the award if necessary to resolve the over-award.

(3)Application procedures and deadlines. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may adopt rules and regulations, prescribe and provide appropriate forms for application and employ such persons, contract for such services and make such additional expenditures as may be necessary or appropriate for effectuating the provisions of this act. [70 O.S. § 626.7]

(A) Students will apply for tuition aid grant award consideration by completing the federal student financial aid application. A separate application may be provided for students eligible for state financial aid under 70 O.S. § 3242. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will receive application data from the federal Title IV student financial aid application system for those students who indicate their legal state of residence is Oklahoma. Applications with at least one eligible Oklahoma institution selected by the student will be processed for tuition aid grant award consideration.

(B) If necessary, the application receipt deadline will be reflected in the application document provided annually by the federal Title IV student financial aid application system.

(4) Disbursement of funds.

(A) Funds will be disbursed to students after the institution confirms enrollment status and eligibility in each semester or other enrollment period.

(B) Funds for eligible students will be delivered to the institution for disbursement to students in accordance with the institution's student financial aid disbursement policies.

(b) The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to determine priorities for participation in this tuition aid program based on factors including, but not limited to, full-time or part-time enrollment status, undergraduate or graduate enrollment status, unmet financial need, continuous enrollment, nearness to completion of a degree or certificate, state employment needs, eligibility for other state or institutional student financial aid and available state funding. [70 O.S. § 626.8]

Okla. Admin. Code § 610:25-7-6

Amended at 17 Ok Reg 3060, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2676, eff 7-25-03; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1969, eff 6-11-06; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 2717, eff 7-26-07; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2590, eff 7-11-08

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022