§ 6-82-306 — Eligibility

(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 a scholarship under subsection (a) of this section 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 Division 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: (A) Citizen of the United States; (B) Permanent resident alien; (C) Person who holds or is the child of a person who holds a Federal Form I-766 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services-issued Employment Authorization Document, known popularly as a "work permit"; or (D) Person who is a migrant from the Compact of Free Association Islands; (4) Graduates from a high school; (5) Has completed and submitted to the United States Department of Education a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a subsequent application required by the United States Department of Education for federal financial aid; and (6) (A) Satisfies the qualifications of superior academic ability as established by the Division of Higher Education with criteria consisting of value points for academic achievement and leadership, including without limitation: (i) ACT or 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 Division 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. (ii) The Division of Higher Education shall ensure that the weight assigned to each individual criterion under this subdivision (b)(6)(B) does not place a homeschooled, 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 Division 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 Division of Higher Education shall select a student from each unrepresented 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 this subchapter shall be designated as Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholars.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2021, No. 331,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2021, No. 79,§ 4, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2021, No. 217,§ 1, eff. 3/1/2021. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 2084, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 2083, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 2082, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 2081, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2015, No. 850,§ 2, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2015, No. 850,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2013, No. 512,§ 1, eff. 3/26/2013. Acts 1983 (Ex. Sess.), No. 59, § 5; 1985, No. 176, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-5905; Acts 1997, No. 489, § 3; 1999, No. 1562, § 2; 2001, No. 1761, § 5; 2009, No. 1218, § 3.