Alabama § 34-22-62 - Types of Scholarships and Loans.

§ 34-22-62. Types of Scholarships and Loans.

The Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards shall establish the following types of scholarships and loans:

(1) Annual loans, not exceeding 25 percent of the number of students enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, based on the economic need and scholastic ability of the applicant, in an amount not to exceed 30 percent of the current annual cost of tuition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. The loan shall be available to any Alabama resident of good character who has been accepted for matriculation by the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. This subdivision shall also apply to graduate students in vision science, at the discretion of the board.

(2) Merit scholarships, not exceeding 25 percent of the number of students enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, in an amount not to exceed the current annual cost of tuition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. These scholarships shall be available to outstanding students, who are residents of Alabama. One-fourth of the merit scholarships shall be awarded each year to members of the entering class at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, who, in the judgment of the board, have the highest scholastic achievement in undergraduate studies, sufficient aptitude, excellence of character, and other pertinent qualifications. Recipients of merit scholarships may also apply for loans awarded by the board. This subdivision shall also apply to graduate students in vision science, at the discretion of the board.

(3) Loans issued pursuant to the Alabama Optometric Service Program. The board shall establish and operate the Alabama Optometric Service Program, under which loans may be issued by the board to applicants of good character who are enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, or any other educational institution accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. Applicants approved to participate in the program may be issued a loan equal to the four-year cost of attendance based on in-state tuition and required fees at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.