§ 6-85-210 - Continuing eligibility.
6-85-210. Continuing eligibility.
(a) A recipient who meets continuing eligibility criteria under this subchapter shall receive a scholarship for one (1) academic year renewable annually until the recipient first:
(1) Earns a baccalaureate degree;
(2) (A) Attempts a transcript total of one hundred thirty (130) semester hours in eight (8) semesters at any approved institution of higher education as an undergraduate full-time student.
(B) If the recipient's undergraduate degree requires additional hours, the Department of Higher Education, in conjunction with the institution of higher education where the recipient is enrolled, shall determine the maximum period of time for renewal of the scholarship; or
(3) Attempts a transcript total of one hundred thirty (130) semester hours in sixteen (16) semesters at any approved institution of higher education as an undergraduate part-time student.
(b) To maintain eligibility for an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship under this subchapter, a recipient shall meet the following requirements:
(1) A recipient shall continue to meet the eligibility requirements of this subchapter while a recipient of a scholarship under this subchapter;
(2) (A) (i) A recipient shall meet the satisfactory academic progress standards required to receive other financial aid at the approved institution of higher education where the recipient is enrolled, as determined by the Department of Higher Education in conjunction with the institution of higher education where the recipient is enrolled.
(ii) By accepting scholarship funds under this subchapter, the receiving institution certifies that students will be enrolled in courses that will meet satisfactory academic progress standards leading toward a certificate, an associate degree, a nursing diploma, or a baccalaureate degree.
(B) A recipient shall be continuously enrolled unless the Department of Higher Education has approved a leave of absence for:
(i) A medical condition of the student or a member of the student's immediate family;
(ii) A personal or family emergency;
(iii) Military service under 6-61-112;
(iv) A commitment for twelve (12) months or more for community, national, or global humanitarian service; or
(v) Any other reason approved by the Department of Higher Education.
(C) [Repealed.]
(3) A recipient who enrolls in one (1) or more remedial courses shall complete all remedial courses required by the approved institution of higher education by the time the student completes the first thirty (30) semester hours attempted after receiving the scholarship;
(4) A recipient shall earn a postsecondary grade point average of 2.5 or higher at an approved institution of higher education;
(5) A recipient shall enroll in courses that lead toward a baccalaureate degree program after attempting the lesser of:
(A) Sixty-six (66) semester hours; or
(B) The completion of an associate degree program, unless the number of hours required to complete the associate degree program exceeds sixty-six (66) semester hours, in which case the higher number of hours for completion shall be used for this subdivision (b)(5); and
(6) A recipient shall meet any other continuing eligibility criteria established by the Department of Higher Education.
(c) (1) If a recipient becomes ineligible for the scholarship because the recipient's postsecondary grade point average or number of completed credit hours no longer meets the minimum requirement for the scholarship, the recipient may regain eligibility under this subsection (c) one (1) time in an academic year.
(2) Except as provided under 6-85-211(a)(3) and unless the requirements of this subsection are waived by the Department of Higher Education, to regain eligibility for the scholarship:
(A) A full-time student shall:
(i) Complete at least fifteen (15) semester hours of courses for credit for which the approved institution of higher education certifies that the courses meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution; and
(ii) Achieve a 2.5 grade point average for the semester hours completed under this subdivision (c)(2)(A); and
(B) A part-time student shall:
(i) Complete at least six (6) semester hours of courses for credit for which the approved institution of higher education certifies that the courses meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution; and
(ii) Achieve a 2.5 grade point average for the semester hours completed under this subdivision (c)(2)(B).
(d) (1) If a recipient becomes ineligible for the scholarship because the recipient has not completed the required number of hours for continuing eligibility, the recipient may regain eligibility under this subsection for one (1) time only.
(2) (A) Except as provided under 6-85-211(a)(3) and unless the requirements of this subsection are waived by the Department of Higher Education, to regain eligibility for the scholarship, the recipient shall complete the number of hours needed to regain eligibility.
(B) The recipient shall complete the required number of hours during the summer term at the student's own expense.
(e) If a recipient is subject to losing a scholarship under subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section due to a catastrophic event experienced by the recipient or a family member of the recipient, the department may waive the requirements of this subsection and determine the appropriate requirements for the recipient to either retain or regain the scholarship.