Sec. 14.43.415. - Eligibility; priority.
(a) For an applicant to be eligible for a grant under AS 14.43.400 - 14.43.420, the applicant must be
(1) a resident of this state;
(2) enrolled or about to be enrolled
(A) at an institution approved to participate in federal financial aid programs under 20 U.S.C. 1070 - 1099c-2, as amended, located in this state; and
(B) on at least a half-time basis; and
(3) able to demonstrate financial need in accordance with standards for determining financial need established by the commission under 20 U.S.C. 1070c-2, as amended.
(b) The commission shall give an applicant eligible under (a) of this section priority for a grant award if that applicant is, or is about to be, enrolled in a program of study that is preparatory for employment in an occupation or profession for which the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, or another workforce data source selected as reliable by the commission, indicates there is a severe shortage of trained individuals in this state. Additionally, the commission may give an applicant priority for a grant award if that applicant has participated in a secondary education program of study that can be demonstrated to the commission to be a predictor for success at the postsecondary education level for a program of study described in this subsection. For purposes of this subsection,
(1) "occupation or profession" means a job for which specific postsecondary certification is a prerequisite for entry-level placement;
(2) "severe shortage" means a current or recurring job vacancy rate of 15 percent or greater, as determined by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development or by another workforce data source determined reliable by the commission.
(c) The commission shall adopt regulations to establish a prioritization process for awarding grants under AS 14.43.400 - 14.43.420.