Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 635-X-2 — Awarding of Loans

635 State of Alabama Optometric Scholarship Awards Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-2-.01 Number Of Loans

A number of loans not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the students enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry professional program and/or the graduate program in vision science will be awarded each academic year to full-time students who are in good standing or are members of the entering class. These loans will be awarded on the basis of the economic need and scholastic achievements of the applicant.

Loans issued pursuant to the Alabama Optometric Service Program are subject to funding by the Alabama Education Trust Fund. Optometric Service Program 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(ACOE)

History

• Author: Board of Optometric Scholarship & Loan Awards
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-22-60, et seq.
• Filed September 7, 1984. Amended: Filed February 4, 2014; effective March 11, 2014. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-2-.02 Amount Of Each Loan

Each loan will be in an amount not to exceed 30% of the annual cost of tuition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

Applicants approved to participate in the Alabama Optometric Service 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.

History

• Author: AL Board of Optometric Scholarship & Loan Awards
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-22-60, et seq.
• Filed September 7, 1984. Amended: Filed February 4, 2014; effective March 11, 2014. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-2-.03 Application Procedure

(1) Only bona fide residents of Alabama as described in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry Bulletin are eligible to file applications for loans.

(2) Applicants participating in the Alabama Optometric Service Program do not have to be residents of Alabama at the time of application.

(3) Applicants who are members of the entering class must file an application form with the Board prior to a deadline date set by the Board. Simultaneous notification must be sent to the Student Affairs Office at Birmingham School of Optometry. Enrolled students may file an application form at any time.

(4) Parents or guardians of each applicant must file a Parent's Confidential Financial Report with the Board. Applications will not be reviewed if a Parent's Confidential Financial Report is not filed with the application.

(5) Full-time students in good standing enrolled in the professional program and/or the graduate program in vision science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry may apply for the balance of a loan which is surrendered by the current recipient or is not renewed. Priority will be given to applicants who are members of the same class as the current recipient. The executive committee will select the recipients of the loans which are not renewed or are surrendered.

History

• Author: AL Board of Optometric Scholarship & Loan Awards
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-22-60, et seq.
• Filed September 7, 1984. Amended: Filed February 4, 2014; effective March 11, 2014. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-2-.04 Selection Of Recipients Of Loans

(1) Pertinent information concerning each applicant's financial status and academic achievements will be compiled in outline form prior to the annual meeting. These outlines plus the applications and Parent's Confidential Financial Reports will be available to members of the Board attending the annual meeting. All of this information is strictly confidential.

(2) Recipients of loans who are members of the entering class will be selected by the priority voting system approved by the Board.

(a) Each Board member present at the meeting will rate each application from one (1) to five (5) to indicate his/her evaluation of the applicant's need and qualifications for financial aid relative to all other applicants who are students in good standing. One (1) is equal to the highest priority, five (5) is equal to the lowest priority.

(b) The average rating of all Board members present will determine the applicants' priority for financial assistance.

(3) Priority will be given to students that agree to apply for the Alabama Optometric Service Program.

(4) Recipients of merit scholarships may also qualify for loans or apply for the Alabama Optometric Service Program.

(c) Loans not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the upcoming freshman class, will be granted to applicants who receive the lowest average priority score, provided three-fourths (3/4) of the Board members present approve the voting results. A Board member may request that the Board reconsider any application which receives a priority score low enough to qualify for a loan. The original score will be declared invalid and the Board will cast a substitute vote if such action is approved by three-fourths (3/4) of the Board members present.

(3) In the event a loan is not accepted by a recipient in the entering class it may be awarded to another qualified applicant who is a member of the same class. Priority will be given to the applicant whose average priority score ranked next to the last successful score.

History

• Author: J. Matt Bledsoe
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-22-60, et seq.
• Filed September 7, 1984. Amended: Filed February 4, 2014; effective March 11, 2014. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.