5.1 Funding Constraints of Awards: The Board shall determine award amounts, depending on the annual legislative appropriation, whether the institution is a credit granting or non-credit granting institution, and the number of qualified applicants. An eligible private nonprofit college or university in the state that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities may not award a Regents' scholarship to an eligible student in an amount that exceeds the average total cost of tuition and fees among USHE institutions.

5.2 Scholarship Award: Students who meet the eligibility criteria and enroll at a credit granting institution shall receive a four-semester scholarship award, the maximum amount shall be determined annually by the Board. Students who enroll in a non-credit granting institution will receive a one-time scholarship award, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the Board, which the institution may disburse over the course of a recipient's enrollment within this policy's limits and requirements.

5.3 Ongoing Eligibility: If a student receives an award disbursement, the recipient must enroll at a credit granting institution, maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per academic semester to remain eligible for future disbursements. Students who earn less than a 3.0 semester GPA will be placed on probation. If the recipient again at any time earns less than a 3.0 GPA, the scholarship may be revoked. Institutions shall verify the recipient has met these requirements. Recipients who do not maintain eligibility shall forfeit the remaining award amount.

R765-609C-6. Time Constraints and Deferrals.

6.1 Time Limitation: Scholarship funds are only available to a recipient for five years after the recipient's high school graduation date.

6.2 Upon the first day a recipient begins courses using the scholarship funds at a non-credit granting institution, the recipient must use the award in its entirety within two years, unless extended under Subsection (6.3). This time limit does not extent the five-year award availability under Subsection (6.1).

6.3 Deferral or Leave of Absence: Recipients who will not enroll continuously for Fall and Spring/Winter at an eligible institution shall apply for a deferral or leave of absence with their institution.

6.3.1 Deferrals may be granted, at the discretion of the scholarship review committee. Leaves of absence may be granted, at the discretion of the institution. Deferrals and leaves of absence may be granted for military service, humanitarian or religious service, documented medical reasons, and other exigent reasons.

6.3.2 An approved deferral or leave of absence will not extend the time limits of the scholarship. The scholarship may only be used for academic terms that begin within five years after the recipient's high school graduation date.

KEY: higher education, scholarships, secondary education

Date of Last Change: July 21, 2025

Notice of Continuation: April 10, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53B-8-108