Program provides service for students with disabilities

Written By | TASHANA SMITH |

The LITE scholarship, which means, Living Independently Through Education, is a scholarship program that was started between 2002 and 2003 by the disAbility services of Amarillo College. This program provides scholarships for students with disabilities who would like to attend AC.

The disabilities services center works with over 400 students each semester who has some form of a disability. The services provided include advising, assistance with registration, tutoring, accommodations, and referrals to other services.

According to Brenda Rossnagel, the coordinator of disAbility services, the mission is to provide access to all programs and services at AC. “We work with students and faculty to ensure accommodations are met,” Rossnagel said. “We tend to find that the AC community is very accepting of students, and goes above and beyond what the law requires to provide access and promote inclusion for all students.”

The LITE scholarship is having its annual luncheon on April 28, 2016 at 11:30 AM in the Heritage Room at the Amarillo Civic Center. They have chosen eight students as student of the month recipients. “It’s a great honor to be asked to be one the recipients,” student Jacob Meghee said.
The AC Jazz Ensemble will perform and the will be a raffle for a week’s worth of lunch valued at over $100 for five different restaurants. By raising funds at this event with the silent auction, ticket sales, vendor booths and raffle tickets, AC is able to provide scholarships for over forty students each year.

Any student with a disability may apply for the LITE scholarship. This application process is the same as applying for any Amarillo College scholarship. The priority deadline was March 1, but scholarship applications are still being accepted. “We would like for the students to have them turned in by May, so they will be ready for the next school year,” Rossnagel said.

The LITE scholarship provides assistance in paying for tuition, books and any equipment needed for the classroom. Tristian Forbis, another student of the month recipient said, “ I think it is definitely a great thing to be recognized for student of the month. The LITE scholarship has helped me pay for school. It has done a lot for me,” recipient Tristian Forbis said.