R277-634. Grants and Scholarships

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-634.  Grants and Scholarships.

R277-634-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law;

          (c)  Section 53H-11-416, which requires the Board to administer a citizenship scholarship program; and

          (d)  Section 53G-9-216, which requires the Board to administer a cardiac emergency response plan grant program.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to:

          (a)  establish procedures for administering Board-authorized grant and scholarship programs;

          (b)  implement the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan grant program as defined in ; and

          (c)  implement the Citizenship Scholarship Program as defined in.

R277-634-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "AED" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (2)  "Cardiac emergency response plan" or "CERP" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (3)  "Citizenship grade" means a grade or evaluation that reflects a student's demonstration of college and career readiness as defined in Section 53E-4-208.

          (4)  "Cardiac emergency response plan" or "CERP" means a plan developed by a school that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds as defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (5)  "Emergency cardiovascular care" means the same as defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (6)  "Evidence-based core elements" means the same as defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (7)  "High needs school" means the same as defined in Section 53G-9-216.

          (i)  designated as a Title I school under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.; or

          (8)  "Rural School" means a public school within a school district:

          (a)  located in a county of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class, as defined in Section 17-50-501; or

          (b)  with fewer than 3,000 students enrolled in the school district.

R277-634-3.  General Grant and Scholarship Administration.

          (1)  The Board shall administer grant and scholarship programs in accordance with state law and this rule.

          (2)  The Superintendent shall:

          (a)  establish application procedures and timelines;

          (b)  require applicants to submit information and documentation necessary to determine eligibility;

          (c)  establish reporting requirements for recipients;

          (d)  monitor compliance with program requirements; and

          (e)  take corrective action in accordance with Rule R277-114 if an applicant or recipient fails to comply with program requirements.

          (3)  The Board may establish additional requirements necessary to administer a grant or scholarship program consistent with state law.

          (4)  The Board shall establish minimum eligibility thresholds for applicants, including minimum standards for citizenship grades and attendance.

          (5)  Scholarship award amounts shall be determined based on available funds and applicant eligibility, as established by the Board.

R277-633-4.  Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Grant Program.

          (1)  The Board shall administer the grant program to assist LEAs in implementing cardiac emergency response plans (CERP) in accordance with Section 53G-9-216 subject to legislative appropriations.

          (2)  An LEA may apply for a grant by submitting an application in a manner prescribed by the Superintendent.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall:

          (a)  prepare and make available a grant application;

          (b)  review applications starting on July 1, 2026;

          (c)  prioritize the grant distribution first to high needs schools and second to rural schools; and

          (d)  allocate grant funds on a first-come, first-served basis for LEAs with a demonstrated need.

          (4)  An LEA that applies for the grant shall include in their application:

          (a)  a copy of their CERP plans for each school in their LEA that contain the evidence-based core elements and meet the requirements of Subsection 53G-9-216(3);

          (b)  the intended use of funds;

          (c)  if applying as a high needs school, provide data and evidence of high need qualifications;

          (d)  evidence of compliance with Subsection 53G-9-216(4); and

          (e)  any additional information required by the Superintendent.

          (5)  In awarding grants, the Superintendent shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate need.

          (a)  For purposes of this rule, demonstrated need is considered to be LEAs seeking to use the funds for the following items in this order:

          (i)  the purchase of an AED;

          (ii)  AED maintenance, including pads and battery replacement;

          (iii)  the purchase of CPR training kits or CPR training for faculty and staff;

          (iv)  basic first aid training; and

          (v)  educational materials.

          (6)  The Superintendent shall allocate and encumber funds for an LEA that qualify and are selected for this grant.

          (7)  An LEA may be reimbursed from their allocation of grant money for activities and equipment that further promote CERP preparedness, including:

          (a)  the purchase of an AED;

          (b)  AED maintenance, including pads and battery replacement;

          (c)  the purchase of CPR training kits or CPR training for faculty and staff;

          (d)  basic first aid training; and

          (e)  educational materials.

          (8)  An LEA shall provide itemized receipts of expenses incurred between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 to receive a reimbursement from awarded funding.

          (9)  An LEA that receives an allocation of CERP grant funds shall report all expenditures to the USBE and provide itemized receipts by September 1, 2027.

          (10)  Funds that have not been used shall be reallocated to other grant applicants in accordance with Section 53G-9-216 and Rule R277-633.

R277-634-5.  Citizenship Scholarship Program.

          (1)  The Superintendent shall administer the program under the direction of the Board and shall implement this rule and Board policies governing the program.

          (2)  The Superintendent shall establish and implement application procedures and deadlines, including:

          (a)  application submission requirements;

          (b)  required documentation, including citizenship grades and attendance records; and

          (c)  procedures to verify applicant information with LEAs.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall establish scholarship eligibility criteria that:

          (a)  require demonstrated exemplary citizenship as reflected in citizenship grades described in Section 53E-4-208;

          (b)  include student attendance as a component of eligibility; and

          (c)  give priority to students who demonstrate sustained exemplary citizenship throughout high school.

          (4)  The Superintendent shall administer the selection process using criteria and weighting adopted by the Board.

          (5)  The Superintendent shall:

          (a)  verify applicant eligibility using data collected from LEAs; and

          (b)  coordinate with LEAs to resolve discrepancies in citizenship grade or attendance data.

          (6)  The Superintendent shall administer scholarship awards, including:

          (a)  notifying students of award decisions; and

          (b)  coordinating with institutions within the state system of higher education.

          (7)  The Superintendent shall distribute scholarship funds to eligible students attending an institution within the state system of higher education as provided in Section 53H-11-416 and Title 53H, Higher Education.

          (8)  The Superintendent shall establish procedures for applicant appeals and record retention.

          (9)  The Board may report to the Legislature on program administration and outcomes as required by Section 53H-11-416.

KEY:  grants, scholarships, cardiac emergency response, citizenship

Date of Last Change:  August 7, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53H-11-416; 53G-9-216

Status of Rule

Effective August 7, 2026

Five-year review August 7, 2031

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
None

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

Related Federal Law

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Child Nutrition Act and National School Lunch Act

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Requirements

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Fair Labor Standards Act

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Perkins V of the Career and Technical Education Act

Personnel Qualifications for IDEA Eligibility

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Title VI Discrimination

Title IX Discrimination

Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards

US Tax Code and Regulations

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