Policy Statement
A scholarship program to promote academic excellence and to encourage
the state's most talented graduates to enroll in Arkansas postsecondary
educational institutions is created and established which shall be cited as the
Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program. These rules shall be known as the
Arkansas Department of Higher Education Rules Governing the Arkansas Governor's
Scholars Program. This policy addresses the student eligibility criteria,
method for recipient selection, and continuing eligibility requirements
procedures for making payments to an approved institution of higher education
and other administrative procedures necessary for operation of the
program.
Applicable Arkansas Code
Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-82-301
et. Seq
Definitions
(1)
"Academic ability" means the intellectual standing of a student. In determining
superior academic ability, the Department of Higher Education shall examine the
student's high school records, competitive examination scores, and demonstrated
leadership capabilities;
(2)
"Academic Year" means fall, spring, first and second summer semesters in that
order, or as defined by the Department of Higher Education;
(3) "Approved institution" means a public or
private college or university:
(A) Which is
dedicated to educational purposes, located in Arkansas, or located out of state
and educating Arkansas residents in dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine,
podiatry, chiropractic, or osteopathy under agreement with the Board of Control
for Southern Regional Education, accredited by an accrediting agency certified
and recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Division of
Agency Evaluation and Institutional Accreditation, or a school giving
satisfactory assurance that it has the potential for accreditation and is
making progress which, if continued, will result in its achieving
accreditation;
(B) Which does not
discriminate in the admission of students on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin; and
(C) Which subscribes to the principle of
academic freedom;
(4)
"Arkansas resident" means a natural person who provides evidence deemed
sufficient by the Department of Higher Education. Such evidence includes but is
not limited to a valid Arkansas voter's registration card; valid Arkansas motor
vehicle driver's license; Arkansas residence address used for federal or state
tax purposes; or claims Arkansas as a residence to hold public office or for
judicial actions.
(5) "Competitive
examination" means a standardized examination measuring achievement which is
administered annually on a specified date and at a specified location and which
is announced publicly;
(6)
"Department" means the Department of Higher Education;
(7) "Eligible student" means a resident of
the State of Arkansas as defined by the Department of Higher Education who:
(A) Is eligible for admission as a full-time
student;
(B) Declares an intent to
matriculate in an approved institution in Arkansas; and
(C) Graduates from:
(i) A high school in this state, for Arkansas
Governor's Scholars; or
(ii) A
high school, for Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholars;
(8)
(A) "Extraordinary academic ability" means:
(i) Achievement of a score of 32 or above on
the American College Test (ACT) or 1410 or above on the Scholastic Aptitude
Test (SAT); and
(ii)
(a) Achievement of a high school grade point
average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale; or
(b) Selection as a finalist in either the
National Merit Scholarship competition, the National Hispanic Recognition
Program, or the National Achievement Scholarship competition conducted by the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
(B) The American College Test scores and
Scholastic Aptitude Test scores shall be earned by December 31 prior to the
application deadline in order for the scores to be considered by the department
for a scholarship award;
(9) "Full-time student" means a resident of
Arkansas who is in attendance at an approved private or public institution and
who is enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours the first semester and
fifteen (15) hours thereafter, or other reasonable academic equivalent as
defined by the department;
(10)
"Scholarship" means an award to an eligible student for matriculation in an
approved institution in the State of Arkansas
(11) "Undergraduate student" means an
individual who is enrolled in a postsecondary educational program which leads
to or is directly creditable toward the individual's first baccalaureate
degree.
(12) "U.S. Citizen" means
the student must be either a United States citizen or a permanent resident
alien. If the student is not a United States citizen, but a permanent resident
alien, the student must attach a copy of the permanent resident alien form I
151, I 551, I 94, or G 641 to the application
Procedures
Organization and Structure
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education shall administer the
Governor's Scholars Program within the policies set by the Arkansas Higher
Education Coordinating Board. All formal communications shall be addressed to
or signed by the Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education or
his/her designee. The Governor's Scholars Advisory Council shall provide advice
to the Department of Higher Education regarding the administration of the
program.
Governor's Scholars Program Advisory Council
A. The Governor's Scholars Program Advisory
Council shall consist of ten members appointed by the Arkansas Higher Education
Coordinating Board for staggered two-year terms and shall represent the public
and private sectors of post-secondary education and secondary
schools.
B. The Governor's Scholars
Program Advisory Council shall advise the Arkansas Department of Higher
Education in the determination of guidelines and regulations for the
administration of this program.
C.
The Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education or his/her designee
shall serve as presiding officer of the Governor's Scholars Program Advisory
Council and shall ensure that staff services for the Council are provided.
The final responsibility for selecting scholarship recipients shall
rest with the Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education pursuant
to the provisions of Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-82-301
et. Seq.
When functioning under Arkansas Code Annotated §
6-82-301
et. Seq., the Arkansas Department of Higher Education shall follow the
provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.
Eligibility Criteria
(a) The Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program
scholarships are to be awarded to those students who demonstrate the highest
capabilities for successful college study.
(b) A student is eligible for this
scholarship if he or she:
(1) Meets the
admission requirements and is accepted for enrollment as a full-time
undergraduate student in an eligible public or private college or university in
Arkansas;
(2)
(A) Is a bona fide resident of the state, as
defined by the Department of Higher Education.
(B) Preference will be given to students who
plan to enter college at the beginning of the academic year directly following
their last year of high school attendance;
(3) Is a citizen of the United States or a
permanent resident alien;
(4)
Graduates from a high school;
(5)
(A) Demonstrates proficiency in the
application of knowledge and skills in reading and writing literacy and
mathematics by passing the end-of-course examination as may be developed by the
Department of Education and as may be designated by the Department of Higher
Education for this purpose.
(B)
"End-of-course" assessment means those assessments defined in §
6-15-419;
and
(6)
(A) Satisfies the qualifications of superior
academic ability as established by the Department of Higher Education with
criteria consisting of value points for academic achievement and leadership,
including without limitation:
(i) American
College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score, National Merit
Finalist, or National Achievement Finalist;
(ii) High school grade point
average;
(iii) Rank in high school
class; and
(iv) Leadership in
school, community, and employment.
(B)
(i) The
Department of Higher Education may alter the weight assigned to the individual
criterion to more appropriately meet the needs of the state as determined by
the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Value points assigned to each selection criterion are weighted as
follows:
American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score,
National Merit
Finalist, or National Achievement Finalist---------------------------
45%
High school grade point average--------------------------------
35%
Rank in high school class-------------------------------------
10%
Leadership in school, community, and employment--------------------
10%
(ii) The Department of
Higher Education shall ensure that the weight assigned to each individual
criterion under this subdivision (b)(6)(B) does not place a home-schooled,
public school, or private school student at a disadvantage.
(iii)
(a)
After determining qualified recipients based on the qualifications under
subdivision (b)(6)(A) of this section, the Department of Higher Education shall
ensure that at least one (1) recipient is selected from each of the
seventy-five (75) counties in Arkansas.
(b) If any of the seventy-five (75) counties
is not represented, the Department of Higher Education shall select a student
from each nonrepresented county with the highest qualifications under
subdivision (b)(6)(A) of this section who was not initially
qualified.
(c) The scholarship shall be weighed on the
factors of achievement, ability, and demonstrated leadership
capabilities.
(d) Students who are
selected as Arkansas Governor's Scholars who also exhibit extraordinary
academic ability as defined in the definitions section of this rule shall be
designated as Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholars.
Continued Eligibility
(a) An Arkansas Governor's Scholarship or
Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship may be awarded annually for a
period not to exceed an academic year.
(b)
(1) A
scholarship shall correspond to academic terms, semesters, quarters, or
equivalent time periods at the eligible institutions.
(2) In no instance may the entire amount of
the grant for an educational year be paid to or on behalf of students in
advance.
(c) Provided
sufficient funds are available, a scholarship shall be awarded for one (1)
academic year and renewed annually for three (3) additional academic years if
the following conditions for renewal are met:
(1) The student maintains not less than a 3.0
grade point average on a 4.0 scholastic grading scale;
(2) A student receiving a scholarship under
the Scholarship Amounts subsection (a) maintains not less than a 3.25 grade
point average on a 4.0 scholastic grading scale;
(3) The recipient has successfully completed
a total of at least twenty-seven (27) hours during the first full academic year
and, if applicable, a total of at least thirty (30) hours per academic year
thereafter; and
(4) The recipient
has met any other continuing eligibility criteria established by the Department
of Higher Education.
Application
Students must submit an on-line application, available at the ADHE
website http://scholarships.adhe.edu/
The application deadline shall be established by the Department of
Higher Education of the calendar year in which a student graduates from high
school. At its discretion, the Department of Higher Education may extend the
deadline, provided sufficient notice is provided to the public. The applicant
is responsible for submitting the application and all supporting documentation
in a timely manner.
Number of Scholarships
(a) If sufficient funds are available,
effective for students receiving their initial awards beginning in fall 2007,
the number of initial scholarship awards to eligible high achievers shall not
exceed three hundred seventy-five (375) each year.
(b) If there are more eligible applicants
than available scholarships, the department may determine a procedure for
awarding additional scholarships while not exceeding available funds.
Use of Scholarship
(a) No
student may utilize scholarship funds for educational purposes beyond the
baccalaureate degree.
(b) There
shall be an exception to the requirement of subsection (a) of this section for
any student who receives a baccalaureate degree in three (3) years or less. The
student may receive an award of the scholarship for a fourth academic year to
be used as a full-time student enrolled in a postgraduate program at an
approved institution.
Scholarship Amounts
(a) An Arkansas Governor's Scholarship or
Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship awarded to a new recipient who
enrolls in an approved institution as a first-time entering freshmen shall be
in an amount that equals the lesser of:
(1)
Ten thousand dollars ($10,000); or
(2) Tuition, room and board, and mandatory
fees charged for a regular full-time course load by the approved institution in
which the recipient is enrolled.
(b) A student selected as a recipient under
the "Eligibility Criteria" subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii)(b) who enrolls in an
approved institution as a first-time entering freshmen after July 1, 2017,
shall be awarded in an amount that equals the lesser of:
(1) Five thousand dollars ($5,000);
or
(2) Tuition, room and board, and
mandatory fees charged for a regular full-time course load by the approved
institution in which the recipient is enrolled.
Notification of Application and Award Status
(a) An Arkansas Governor's Scholarship or
Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship shall receive an award notice and
information sheet explaining disbursement procedures and conditions of the
Arkansas Governor's Scholars Award.
(b) The Arkansas Department of Higher
Education shall notify applicants who are determined to be ineligible and
provide the reason for ineligibility. They will also be given instructions on
how to correct any information on the application they believe to be
incorrect.
(c) Applicants who fail
to submit complete applications, or who fail to supply the required
documentation to process the application, will be classified as Incomplete. The
Arkansas Department of Higher Education shall notify these students of their
status. The Incomplete Notice provides a list of the incomplete items and the
actions necessary for completion.
Scholarship Payment Policies
(a) Payment of Scholarships
Funds will be disbursed to the approved institution of the Governor's
Scholars choice by state warrant. After verification of full-time enrollment,
the institution shall disburse the Governor's Scholars Award to the student
according to the individual institution's disbursement procedures. Disbursement
of the Governor's Scholars award shall correspond with the institution's
academic terms (semesters, trimesters, quarters, or equivalent time periods).
In no instance may the entire amount of the award for an educational year be
paid to or on behalf of the student in advance.
(b) Transfer to Another Institution of Higher
Education
A student who receives a Governor's Scholars Award may transfer to
another eligible Arkansas institution of higher education, provided the
recipient notifies the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, in writing, of
the change of institution by October 1 for the fall term, and by February 1 for
the winter and/or spring terms. Failure to notify the Arkansas Department of
Higher Education by the specified deadlines shall result in the loss of the
Governor's Scholars award for the term in question.
(c) Scholarship Hold
The Department of Higher Education may approve a scholarship hold for a
student for a period of twenty-four (24) months or less for the following
reasons without limitation:
(1) A
medical condition of the student or a member of the student's immediate family
that, on the basis of a physician's good-faith judgment, necessitates that the
student or the student's immediate family member be hospitalized or receive
outpatient or home-based medical care or recuperate until released by the
attending physician;
(2) A personal
or family emergency that requires the student to:
(a) Attend the funeral of an immediate family
member; or
(b) Visit a relative of
the student if the relative has a medical condition in which death is possible
or imminent;
(3)
Military service under §
6-61-112;
or
(4)
(a) A commitment of twelve (12) to
twenty-four (24) months for service in a national or international humanitarian
project sponsored by a nonprofit corporation organized with a charitable or
educational purpose.
(b) The
student's commitment shall be expressed in a written agreement with the
nonprofit organization, including the terms of completion for the student's
service on the related project.
(c)
The department shall release a scholarship hold if the department determines
that the student did not complete the commitment under the written agreement.
The recipient must submit a written request for a scholarship hold. The
petition shall give the reason for withdrawal and be supported by
documentation. In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the award will be
revoked if the recipient fails to enroll full-time in an eligible institution
in Arkansas, and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education receives neither
notification of transfer of the scholarship to another eligible institution,
nor a petition for withdrawal by the recipient by October 1 for the fall term
and February 1 for the winter and/or spring terms. At the discretion of the
Department of Higher Education, the award will not be revoked if it is
determined by ADHE that extraordinary circumstances prevented the student from
notifying ADHE by the required dates.
(d) Cancellation of Governor's Distinguished
Scholar Award
(1) The Governor's Scholars
Award and the Governor's Distinguished Scholar Award shall be terminated for
any one of the following reasons:
(a) Failure
to maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative college grade point average (Governor's
Scholars) or a minimum 3.25 cumulative college grade point average (Governor's
Distinguished Scholars) on a 4.0 scale and successfully complete and pass a
minimum of at least twenty-seven (27) credit hours the first academic year and
thirty (30) hours each academic year thereafter;
(b) Failure to complete a baccalaureate
degree within five years from initial college entrance; or
(c) Failure to petition the Arkansas
Department of Higher Education for a temporary withdrawal for two consecutive
academic terms; or
(d) Failure to
enroll as a full time student in an eligible Arkansas college or university
after a two-year temporary withdrawal.
(2) Failure by the Governor's Scholar to
provide written notification to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education of
a change in status (such as a transfer to another eligible institution, change
in address, change in name, etc.) before appropriate deadline dates shall
result in cancellation of the Governor's Scholars award for the term in
question.
(e) Refunds
and Overpayments
If a Governor's Scholar withdraws from an eligible institution, and
under the refund policy of that institution the student is entitled to a refund
of any tuition, fees, or other changes, the institution shall pay the refund
amount in question to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Act 1180 of 1999 states that students who receive scholarships from
public funds may not use those funds in a financial aid package to exceed the
recognized cost of attendance at the institution where the student enrolls. The
institution must follow ADHE policy in repaying public funds in the amount
exceeding the total cost of attendance for any student who receives public
funds in a financial aid package above the cost of attendance.
Higher Education Institution Responsibilities
(a) Administrative Agreement
The chief executive officer of the eligible institution is responsible
for appointing one representative from the financial aid office to act as
administrator of the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program and to receive all
communications, forms, etc. This representative is responsible for Governor's
Scholars disbursement, completion of all forms and rosters, verification of
data, and compliance with all Governor's Scholars Program rules and
regulations. The institution must comply with the following responsibilities in
order to maintain continued eligibility status.
(b) Disbursement Records
The institution shall maintain information on the student indicating
disbursement of Governor's Scholars funds.
(c) Institutional Information Sheet
The administrator is responsible for designating a certifying official
responsible for certifying full-time enrollment and a disbursing official
responsible for the disbursement of Governor's Scholars Program funds.
(d) Institutional Verification
The institution shall provide certification to the Arkansas Department
of Higher Education each semester after registration, giving the names of the
Governor's Scholars who are officially enrolled as full-time students as of the
end of the 11th class day of enrollment. This
information is reported on a verification roster. The person responsible for
verification of full-time enrollment is the registrar or a member of the
registrar's staff. The certifying official is responsible for completing the
verification roster twice a year for those schools on the semester system and
three times a year for those schools on the quarter system. The verification
roster shall be mailed to the Financial Aid Administrator prior to registration
for the semester or quarter. The completed and signed Governor's Scholars
verification roster shall be returned to the Arkansas Department of Higher
Education by the dates specified on the roster. The verification roster is an
alphabetical listing by institution of all persons receiving a Governor's
Scholars award for a given academic term. Students who are not enrolled
full-time in the current term shall not receive Governor's Scholars funds for
that term.
(e) Deadlines
for Disbursement of Funds
All funds must be disbursed within ten days of written receipt of
funds. Any outstanding funds not disbursed by these dates must be returned
within ten days to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
(f) Refund Policy
It is the institution's responsibility to notify the Arkansas
Department of Higher Education of the name of the person who withdrew, the date
of the withdrawal, and the refund amount. This information shall be placed on
the institution's verification roster before the roster is returned to the
Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The institution shall be responsible
for the refund amount and shall pay that amount to the Arkansas Department of
Higher Education.
(g)
Continuing Eligibility
It is the responsibility of each institution to complete annually the
Continuing Eligibility roster. This roster shall be mailed to all institutions
that have a Governor's Scholar enrolled. The Continuing Eligibility roster
shall be returned to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education by the date
specified on the roster. The person responsible for completing the Continuing
Eligibility roster is the Financial Aid Administrator. The Continuing
Eligibility roster is an alphabetical listing by institution of all persons
receiving a Governor's Scholars award that attended that institution for the
academic year immediately preceding receipt of the Continuing Eligibility
roster. The certifying official must complete the roster by providing the
number of hours completed for the previous academic year and the cumulative
grade point average achieved for each student listed.
(h) Due Diligence
The institution shall exercise due diligence in providing complete,
accurate, and timely information as requested by the Arkansas Department of
Higher Education for any Governor's Scholar or former Governor's Scholar. In
addition, the institution shall exercise due diligence in complying with all
the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program. The
Arkansas Department of Higher Education shall periodically review the
institution's records concerning the Governor's Scholars Program in an effort
to exercise its due diligence requirements as a steward of State of Arkansas
funds.
