Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 635-X-6 — Merit Scholarships

635 State of Alabama Optometric Scholarship Awards Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-6-.01 Number Of Merit Scholarships

A number of merit scholarship(s) not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the students enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry will be awarded each year.

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.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-6-.02 Amount Of Each Scholarship

Each merit scholarship will be in an amount not to exceed the current annual cost of tuition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry provided the recipient maintains a 3.4 grade point average. These are awarded without regard of financial need to bona fide residents of Alabama.

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: Filed November 10, 2016; effective December 25, 2016. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-6-.03 Application Procedure

All full-time students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, as well as members of the incoming freshman class who are residents of Alabama, are considered eligible for merit scholarships. No applications need to be filed for merit scholarships.

History

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

Ala. Admin. Code r. 635-X-6-.04 Selection Of Recipients Of Merit Scholarships

(1) Members of the incoming freshman class who are candidates being considered for merit scholarships may be invited to a personal interview with the Board. Students who are being considered for merit scholarships not renewed may also be invited for a personal interview with the Board.

(2) Merit Scholarships will be awarded primarily on the basis of the student's scholastic achievements, optometry college admission test scores, excellence of character and other pertinent qualifications. These scholarships are awarded in recognition of outstanding scholastic ability and performance. All information concerning the outstanding scholars in each class will be available to members of the Board at the time of selection.

(3) Voting will be on the same priority system used in selecting recipients of the loans. [635-X-2-.04(2)(a&b)]

(4) Merit scholarships, not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the upcoming freshman class, will be granted to candidates who receive the lowest priority scores provided three-fourths (3/4) of the Board members present approve the results of the voting. A Board member may request the Board to reconsider any candidate who receives a priority score low enough to qualify for a merit scholarship. 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.

(5) Each merit scholarship shall be renewed for a maximum of four (4) years provided the original recipient maintains a 3.4 grade point average.

(6) In the event a merit scholarship is not renewed, the Board will select another recipient for the remainder of the scholarship from the same class as the original recipient.

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: Filed November 10, 2016; effective December 25, 2016. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.