005.29.19 Ark. Code R. 001 - Arkansas Division of Higher Education Rules Governing The Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program

APPLICABILITY

This rule is applicable to students who are eligible for a scholarship under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program.

1.00 DEFINITIONS

1.01 "Academic year" means a measure of the academic work to be accomplished by the recipient.

1.01.1 The academic year is defined as fall, spring, and summer semesters, in that order.

1.02 "Approved Institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education that:

1.02.1 Is approved by the Division of Higher Education to participate in the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program;

1.02.2 Offers at least a fifty percent (50%) discount on the tuition and mandatory fees of an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program to a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program, unless other opportunities are provided that lower the tuition and mandatory fees below fifty percent (50%); and

1.02.3 Is a:

1.02.3.1 State-supported two-year or four-year college or university;

1.02.3.2 Private, nonprofit two-year or four-year college or university that has its primary headquarters located in Arkansas and that is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; or

1.03 "Eligible course" means any endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program.

1.04 "Certificate program" means a program that is offered or made available to a student by an approved institution of higher education that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license.

1.04.1 This definition does not include a program operated or sponsored by a third party.

1.05 "Endorsed concurrent enrollment course" means a college-level course offered by an approved institution of higher education in Arkansas that upon completion would qualify for academic credit in both the approved institution of higher education and a public high school that;

1.05.1 Is in one (1) of the four (4) core areas of math, English, science, and social studies;

1.05.2 Meets the requirements of § 6-16-1204(b); and

1.05.3 Is listed in the Arkansas Course Transfer System of the division;

1.05.3.1 This definition does not include programs operated or sponsored by a third party;

1.06 "Student" means a person who has sophomore, junior or senior status and who is enrolled at a:

1.06.1 Public high school in Arkansas;

1.06.2 Private high school in Arkansas; or

1.06.3 Home school, as defined in § 6-15-501 et seq.;

1.07 "Student success plan" means a plan developed by school personnel in collaboration with parents and the student that is reviewed annually.

1.07.1 The plan shall, at a minimum:

1.07.1.1 Guide the student along pathways to graduation;

1.07.1.2 Address accelerated learning opportunities;

1.07.1.3 Address academic deficits and interventions; and

1.07.1.4 Include college and career planning components;

1.08 "Third party" means a person or entity that does not receive disbursement directly from the division for this program, including a subcontractor of the institution.

2.00 ELIGIBILITY

2.01 A student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship for an academic semester or academic year during which the student is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program if the student:

2.01.1 Is an Arkansas resident or, if the student is less than twenty-one (21) years of age, either the student or one (1) parent of the student is an Arkansas resident; and

2.01.2 Provides proof that a completed student success plan has been submitted to the student's high school or home school.

2.02 The student success plan for a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program shall:

2.02.1 Be prepared in consultation with school personnel, the student, and the student's parent or legal guardian or a college advisor.

2.02.2 Include an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program that is relevant to the student's success plan and include measures that ensure the successful completion of the endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program in which the student is enrolled.

2.02.3 A student whose enrollment in a vocational center is reimbursable under Arkansas Code § 6-51-305 is not eligible for a scholarship under this program.

2.02.4 Students must meet all established requirements for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses set by the Division of Higher Education.

3.00 CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY

3.01 A student is eligible to continue to receive the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship if the student successfully completes an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course and receives a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

3.02 A student who fails to complete an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 shall retain eligibility and enroll in no more than one (1) endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course for the first semester following the semester in which the student failed to successfully complete an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course.

3.02.1 If a student fails to complete an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course a second time, the student shall be ineligible to reapply or receive the scholarship again.

3.02.1.1 This also applies to a student that drops out of an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course before the end of the semester.

4.00 AMOUNT OF AWARDS

4.01 If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall award Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships to all students eligible for the scholarship for the fall, spring or summer terms.

4.02 The maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an academic year shall be the lesser of:

4.02.1 Five hundred dollars ($500); or

4.02.1.1 Eligible students shall be awarded one-hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125) for each eligible course the student is enrolled, up to two (2) eligible courses per semester; or

4.02.2 The actual tuition and mandatory fees cost to the student for up to two (2) eligible courses per semester.

4.03 A scholarship granted under this section may be awarded in addition to any funds received for the enrollment in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course under § 6-16-1204(e)(3).

4.04 Unless a student's high school or community-based program provides financial assistance for the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for an endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course, the remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees for an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program is the responsibility of the eligible student who is enrolled in the endorsed concurrent credit course or certificate program course.

4.05 The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds available in an equal amount to every approved institution of higher education that has enrolled a student eligible to receive this scholarship.

5.00 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Approved institution of higher education responsibilities.

5.01 Administrative agreement.

5.01.1 The chief executive officer of the approved institution of higher education is responsible for appointing one (1) representative from the financial aid office to act as administrator of the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program and to receive all communications, forms, etc.

5.01.1.1 This representative is responsible for verification, data, and compliance with these rules.

5.01.2 The approved institution of higher education shall comply with all rules in order to maintain the status of an approved institution of higher education.

5.02 Disbursement records.

5.02.1 The approved institution of higher education shall maintain information on the student indicating disbursement of scholarship funds.

5.03 Verification.

5.03.1 The approved institution of higher education shall provide certification of enrollment in courses that will meet satisfactory academic progress standards, as of the eleventh day of classes, by completing a Verification Roster each semester after registration.

5.03.1.1 The Verification Roster is an alphabetical listing by an approved institution of higher education of all students receiving the award for a given academic term.

5.03.1.2 The certifying official is responsible for completing the verification rosters each semester.

5.04 Deadlines for disbursement of funds.

5.04.1 The deadline for disbursement of funds is no later than ten (10) days after receipt of funds.

5.04.1.1 Any outstanding funds not disbursed by this date must be returned to the division.

5.04.1.2 For those students whose applications are received by the division too late to allow disbursement by this date, disbursement will be made within ten (10) working days of receipt of the verification roster and electronic transfer of funds to the approved institution of higher education.

5.05 Due diligence.

5.05.1 The approved institution of higher education will exercise due diligence in providing complete, accurate, and timely information as requested by the division on any scholarship recipient or former scholarship recipient.

5.05.2 In addition, the approved institution of higher education will exercise due diligence in complying with these rules.

5.05.3 The division may periodically review the approved institution of higher education's records concerning this scholarship program to ensure the compliance with due diligence requirements.

5.06 Course eligibility.

5.06.1 The approved institution of higher education is responsible for verifying that the endorsed concurrent credit courses and certificate program courses meet the requirements set in Arkansas Code § 6-16-1202 and policies of the division.

6.00 HIGH SCHOOL AND HOME SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

6.01 The high school or home school shall provide certification of eligibility for a student to enroll in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program.

6.02 A high school or home school shall verify the completion of the student's student success plan before certifying that a student is eligible for the scholarship.

Notes

005.29.19 Ark. Code R. 001

Adopted by Arkansas Register Volume 49, Number 11, Effective 10/31/2024