Signed by Governor Mike Beebe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a tiered system for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship award amounts.

Highlights:

• Amends the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship award amount for recipients enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education from $4,500 per academic year to the following award amounts (Sec. 1):
• $2,000 in a recipient’s freshman year;
• $3,000 in a recipient’s sophomore year;
• $4,000 in a recipient’s junior year; and
• $5,000 in a recipient’s senior year.

• Decreases the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship award amount for recipients enrolled in a two-year institution of higher education from $2,250 to $2,000 per academic year (Sec. 3).

• Increases the total Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship award amount for nontraditional students from $12 million to $16 million, beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the new award amounts for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship will take effect in the following academic years (Secs. 1 & 3):
• For recipients enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education: 2013-2014; and
• For recipients enrolled in a two-year institution of higher education: 2014-2015.

• Specifies that the scholarship application deadline is June 1 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text