Ozarks Technical Community College is offering two new financial aid options for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this fall. These awards are benefits that students do not have to pay back:
- The OTC Online Class Credit provides three credit hours of tuition and common fees for students who take more than 12 hours of online courses at OTC.
- The OTC Technology Grant provides a $500 grant for education-related technology needs.
“We know the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on our students’ mental and physical well-being,” said OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon. “Many students lost jobs or were furloughed along with their parents, but we hope these two financial incentives will encourage our students to continue working toward their educational goals.”
OTC Online Class Credit
This fall, there will be efforts at OTC to promote social distancing by limiting the number of students in a classroom at one time. Since online students are not physically present at any OTC location, the college is incentivizing students to enroll in classes that can be completed remotely. The OTC Online Class Credit covers the tuition and common fees for one three-credit-hour online class over and above a student’s initial 12 hours.
“Students who take a full course load graduate at a higher rate and sooner than students who attend part-time,” said Tracy McGrady, OTC provost. “This scholarship will keep our students moving toward success.”
Students do not need to apply for the OTC Online Class Credit. The credit will be applied when students register for more than 12 online credit hours this fall.
OTC Technology Grant
Any OTC student enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (either in-person or online) for the fall 2020 semester may apply for the OTC Technology Grant. The money can be used for anything technology-related, including, but not limited to the following items:
- Computers or tablets
- Hardware, such as hard drives, monitors or keyboards
- Software or software upgrades
- Electronic textbooks or course materials
- High-speed Internet or WiFi
Students are encouraged to apply by visiting the following link: myotc.in/institutional-scholarships.
“In the spring, when all classes moved online, we realized that some of our students did not have the technology necessary to be successful,” said Joan Barrett, OTC vice chancellor for student services. “These grants will help our students obtain the resources needed to be successful college students in the 21st century, whether they prefer to take classes in-person or online.”