A. Subject to the availability of funds, an amount of not more than the equivalent of the average amount of resident tuition for which an eligible Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant enrolled in an institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, or enrolled in a postsecondary career technology education program, whichever is applicable, is obligated to pay shall be awarded by allocation from the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Trust Fund.

B. Subject to the availability of funds, for each eligible Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant enrolled at a private institution of higher education, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall award from the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Trust Fund an amount of not more than the equivalent of the average amount of resident tuition for which the participant would be eligible if the participant were enrolled in a program at an institution of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

C. Subject to the availability of funds, an amount of not more than the equivalent of the average amount of tuition for which an eligible Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant enrolled in a postsecondary career technology education program is obligated to pay shall be awarded by allocation from the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Trust Fund. The allocation shall not exceed the amount a participant would have received for enrollment at a two-year institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

D. Benefits awarded under the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program shall not be allowed for courses or other postsecondary units taken in excess of the requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program or taken more than five (5) years after the student's first semester of participation in the program. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may award the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program benefits for courses of postsecondary units taken more than five (5) years after the student's first semester of participation in the program only in hardship circumstances. No Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant may receive benefits beyond a cumulative time period of five (5) years. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may establish a maximum limit on the number of courses or other postsecondary units to which Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program benefits will apply. An award to an eligible Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant who is enrolled in a postsecondary career technology education program may be used to pay for both career technology education and college work if both are required by the program.

E. Benefits awarded under the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program shall be awarded to not more than 300 eligible participants annually, subject to the amount of funds available for the program and the number of eligible participants. Subject to the provisions of subsection F of this section, if funds are not sufficient to provide awards for the maximum number of eligible participants each year, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall make awards on the basis of need. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall take into consideration other grants and scholarships received by an eligible student when making awards. If an eligible student receives other grants and scholarships, the benefits awarded under the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program may cover any additional educational costs not covered by the other grants and scholarships. If the family of an eligible Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant may qualify for the federal Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning tax credit as provided for in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, P.L. No. 105-34, the participant may elect to use the award allowed by this section to pay for fees, required textbooks or materials and, if any funds remain, to pay for room and board instead of resident tuition.

F. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education may, at the time an award is made on behalf of a Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant, set aside in the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Trust Fund funds for the full commitment made to such Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program participant. For all academic years, participants who have previously received awards under the provisions of the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Act and who have continued at all times to fulfill the requirements for eligibility to receive awards provided pursuant to this program shall be given an absolute priority for continued financial support by the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program superior to any residents who are applying for such benefits for the first time.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 315, § 19. Amended by Laws 2002, c. 395, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.