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SB 5 - Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship program - Arkansas Key Vote

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Title: Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship program

Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson


NOTE: A BILL WITH AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE REQUIRES A SEPARATE TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE CLAUSE TO PASS. IF THE CLAUSE IS PASSED, THE BILL GOES INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

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Title: Modifies Eligibility Requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the eligibility requirements and scholarship rewards for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program.

Highlights:

  • Repeals the requirement of a 2.5 high school grade point average (GPA) in order to be eligible for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program (sec. 2).
  • Requires a student to possess a minimum composite score of 19 on the ACT in order to be eligible for the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program (Sec. 2).
  • Amends the scholarship award amounts as follows (Secs. 3 & 5):
    • Existing law:
      • $2,000 to a freshman enrolled in a 2 or 4-year institution of higher education; and
      • $3,000 to a sophomore enrolled in a 4-year institution of higher education;
    • New law:
      • $1,000 to a freshman enrolled in a 2 or 4-year institution of higher education;
      • $4,000 to a sophomore enrolled in a 4-year institution of higher education; and
      • $3,000 to a sophomore enrolled in a 2-year institution of higher education.
  • Requires the Department of Education to award scholarships in the following order if funding is insufficient to fully fund the scholarships for all eligible students (Sec. 6):
    • To a previously eligible student who is enrolled in an area of “critical workforce need”;
    • To a previously eligible student who has the highest level of progress toward completion;
    • To a previously eligible student who has the highest post-secondary GPA;
    • To a first-time applicant with the highest ACT score; and
    • To a first-time applicant as determined by a random drawing.

 

Full Bill Text

Title: Modifies Elgibility Requirements for the Academic Challange Scholarship Program

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