Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

BIA grants may provide tuition, supplies, and living expenses to individuals who are at least 1/4 Indian and listed on tribal rolls. Contact your tribal agency educational office or the American Indian Education & Training Employment Center at 1-405-521-9047 for application information.

Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS Voc-Rehab)

Vocational Rehabilitation assists individuals who have barriers to employment. Services include testing, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and counseling services. In some cases, DRS pays tuition, fees, books, and supply costs. Eligibility, application, and funding is determined by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Contact a local Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at 580-482-8605 for more information.

Next Experience in Training Scholarship

Next Experience in Training (NEXT) Scholarship is for students in full time programs only. It covers up to 1000 hours of tuition for students who meet the qualifications and start the program prior to their 21st birthday. Student will be responsible for the balance if any of tuition and for all books, fees, equipment, tools, uniforms, and supplies.

Applicants must have been awarded a high school diploma from any in-district, public, home school and maintained a 2.5 GPA. (Transcript required for application). Or documentation of successfully completing the high school equivalency exam.

Applicants must have completed the FAFSA application identifying SWTC school code 030087.

Application Procedures

Applications may be obtained online at www.swtech.edu in the Administrative/Business Offices or in the Counselors' Offices.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients from Group of Eligible Applicants

Student eligibility is determined by a Student Services Director and School Counselor.

1. Must reside in the Southwest Technology Center School district and provide proof of residency per the SWTC policies and Consumer Information Handbook.

2. Eligibility for a scholarship does not guarantee admission into an occupational program at
   SWTC. Applicants must complete all admission requirements, be accepted for admission, and be enrolled before this scholarship can be awarded. There are only 2 scholarships available in each full time program.

3. Applicant must either have a high school diploma form any of the in-district public or home schools and have maintained a 2.5 GPA on their transcript or obtained high school equivalency diploma and reside in the SWTC district.

4. Applicants must Provide SWTC a final high school transcript with their date of graduation or a high school equivalency diploma.

5. Applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) identifying SWTC school code 030087 each year by going to www.fafsa.gov. Application must be turned in 45 days prior to start date of program to be eligible for consideration.

For complete guidelines see the application for NEXT scholarship at www.swtech.edu

Method and Frequency of Disbursements

The waiver will be applied before any tuition or fees charges are assessed to the student's account.

Nursing Student Assistance Program

Physician's Manpower is a nursing student scholarship/loan assistance program that is forgiven/repaid by a work obligation. Applications must be made by June 30*h at http://pmtc.ok.gov/nurses.

Oklahoma HB 3350 Career Technology Tuition Waiver

HB 3350 waives tuition at career techs for children of peace officers, fire fighters, military personnel, and Oklahoma EMT's who died in the line of duty and children of members of Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System who were catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty. The law states "Such waiver of resident tuition and nonresident tuition shall be limited to a period of five (5) years."

Oklahoma's Promise /Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP

Purpose of the Oklahoma's Promise

This is an Oklahoma Scholarship for students that take a required list of academic classes in high school and meet a GPA of 2.5. Student eligibility is determined by the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education

(OSRHE). Students will be required to file FAFSA for each year of attending a post-secondary education institution which will provide the required income verifications.

Application Procedures

This scholarship is applied for by the student at their high school when they are in the 8th, gth, 10th or 11th grade.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is dependent upon enrollment in a financial aid approved career option. Criteria for continued eligibility and re-establishing eligibility are based upon the same satisfactory progress requirements for PELL. Students who believe they may qualify should contact the Financial Aid Office to ensure proper procedures are taken for the student to receive their benefit.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients from Group of Eligible Applicants

Student eligibility is determined by the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education (OSRHE). Students must maintain required standards set by the OSRHE for the scholarship. All students who meet the eligibility requirements receive scholarships.

Criteria for Determining Amount of Student's Aid

The amount of aid is determined annually by the OSHE and is dependent upon enrollment in a financial aid approved career option.

Method and Frequency of Disbursement

Oklahoma's Promise funds are credited to a student's account each semester and if there is a credit balance a check is made and disbursed to the student.

A list of program courses that have been approved for Oklahoma's Promise/OHLAP credit by the State Board of Regents can be located in Student Services

ORO Development Corporation-Jobs Plus Oklahoma

ORO is a federal program which is committed to provide access to opportunities and information for migrant and seasonal farm workers and other low-income families to gain the ability to achieve more sufficient and productive lives within their social and economic environment. They provides employment information, job search support, financial aid, training, and educational programs to eligible persons. Applicants must meet ORO economic, employment, and geographical guidelines which are determined by an ORO counselor.

SWTC is on the approved list of training providers in the state of Oklahoma. An ORO Case manager holds office hours at the Workforce Oklahoma Office (OESC) at 1115 N. Spurgeon, Altus, OK. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Coordinator or the ORO Case manager at the Workforce Okla Office at (580) 482-3262.

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)

Purpose of the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program

The Oklahoma Legislature enacted the Oklahoma Higher Education Tuition Aid Grant Act authorizing and directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to implement a program of Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants. The purpose of these grants is to assist Oklahoma post-secondary students with demonstrated financial need to meet the cost of attendance at Oklahoma post-secondary institutions. Student State Incentive Grants (SSIG) are known as Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG) in this state. These grants pay up to 75% of the cost of tuition and fees for 10 months to eligible residents of Oklahoma.

Application Procedures

Students desiring to apply for OTAG should follow the application procedures for Title IV funds by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://fafsa.ed.gov. The student must complete the Oklahoma residency section in order to qualify. For best consideration, the student needs to have filed a FAFSA as soon as possible after October 15t.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a grant and to receive payments a student must:

• Meet Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as post-secondary (undergraduate) student.

• Have substantial financial need as determined annually in accordance with OTAG criteria.

• Be a legal resident of Oklahoma
  Maintain satisfactory progress and attendance in his/her course of study.

• Not be in default on a student loan for undergraduate students received for attending any institution.

• Not owe a refund on a Title IV grant received from any institution.

• Sign the statement on the FAFSA that money received will be used solely for expenses related to attendance or continued attendance at SWTC.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients from Group of Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are funded to the limit of available funds on a first come, first served basis. Deadlines for application are established yearly. All students who meet the eligibility requirements receive scholarships. Criteria for continued eligibility and re-establishing eligibility are based upon the same satisfactory progress requirements for PELL.

Criteria for Determining Amount of Student's Aid Grant amounts are based on:

• Financial need: awards run from 5 to 75% of tuition and fee costs for 10 months depending upon applicant's financial strength.

• Costs at the school applicant attends

• The Oklahoma Board of Regents makes final decisions.

Method and Frequency of Disbursement

Students are advised of awards by the Financial Aid Coordinator when awards have been made among recipients who are attending SWTC. Payment is by check, usually twice during a ten-month enrollment period. Checks are disbursed by the PELL Activity Fund Custodian in the business Office.

Otha Grimes Memorial Scholarship

Purpose of Otha Grimes Memorial Scholarship

The Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation administers the Otha Grimes Memorial Scholarships which are reserved for adult students who have initiated formal training to achieve technology career objectives.

Application Procedures

Applicants must use the authorized application form provided online at http://www.swtech.edu/financialaid-2L or in the Financial Aid Coordinator's office, fill it out as directed and return it to the Financial Aid Coordinator's Office by the stated deadline.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients from Group of Eligible Applicants

Scholarships are reserved for adult students who may not qualify for other scholarships or student assistance programs. Scholarships are awarded more on the basis of need and commitment, rather than on grades. Scholarships are determined by the Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation. The scholarship stipulates that the award be used toward books, tuition, and other direct expenses incurred for technology training.

Method and Frequency of Disbursements

Scholarships are awarded once each semester (Fall and Spring). Funds are issued to the school and are applied first toward tuition and fees. If tuition and fees have been paid by other sources, a check is then issued by the Business Office Activity funds custodian to the student for approved expenses.

Southwest Technology Center Foundation Scholarship

Purpose of Southwest Technology Center Foundation Scholarship

The Southwest Technology Center Foundation Board administers the Southwest Technology Center Foundation Scholarships which are reserved for adult students who have initiated formal training to achieve technology career objectives at Southwest Technology Center.

Application Procedures

Applicants must use the authorized application form provided online at http://www.swtech.edu/financialaid-22 or in the Student Services Director's office, fill it out as directed and return it to the Student Services Director's office by the stated deadline.

Criteria for Selecting Recipients from Group of Eligible Applicants

Scholarships are reserved for adult students who may not qualify for other scholarships or student assistance programs. Scholarships are awarded more on the basis of need and commitment, rather than on grades. Scholarships are determined by the Southwest Tech Foundation. The scholarship stipulates that the award be used toward books, tuition, and other direct expenses incurred for technology training.

Method and Frequency of Disbursements

Scholarships are awarded once each semester (Fall and Spring). Funds are issued to the school and are applied first toward tuition and fees. If tuition and fees have been paid by other sources, a check is then issued by the Business Office Activity funds custodian to the student for approved expenses.

Veteran's Affairs (VA) Educational Assistance Programs

VA assistance is available for veteran's, or in some cases family members, who meet eligibility requirements and attend VA approved classes at SWTC. Benefits information for each educational program, method and frequency of benefits, a list of approved training options, along with application procedures can be found at www.gibill.va.gov. Individuals who attend SWTC and expect to receive monthly educational stipends must present a copy of VA Form DD214, a Military Transcript, and a VA Certificate of Eligibility. Both half and full-time benefits are available. Contact the Financial Aid Coordinator or the Veteran’s Administration at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 for more information. Veterans who have been determined by the Veteran’s Administration to possess at least 20% service-related disability may be eligible for special benefits under the VA/VCR program. Tuition assistance and purchase of required supplies may be available to the qualified veteran. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIA)

WIOA is a federal program managed by ODLE which provides employment information, job search support, financial aid, training, and educational programs to eligible persons enrolled in a program leading to high demand occupations (Automotive, Aviation, Business Computer, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Graphic Design, License Practical Nursing, and Metal Fabrication). The Office of Workforce Development has programs that assist individuals who are economically disadvantaged, youth (16-24 years of age) facing employment barriers, and/or qualify as a dislocated worker in need of training to obtain productive employment. Applicants must meet WIOA economic, employment, and geographical guidelines which are determined by a WIOA counselor. SWTC is on the approved list of training providers in the state of Oklahoma. A WIOA Case manager holds office hours at the Workforce Oklahoma Office at 1115 N. Spurgeon, Altus, OK. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Coordinator or the WIOA Case manager at the Workforce Oklahoma Office at (580) 482-3262.

Administration of Other Scholarships

Other scholarships at SWTC are administrated following the policies and regulations as stated by the agencies awarding said scholarships.