Measure adds $3M to Arkansas scholarship pot

The Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday approved an appropriation for the state Department of Higher Education that would increase the $12 million limit on Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships for nontraditional students to $15 million starting in fiscal 2018, which ends June 30.

The department's appropriation for fiscal 2019 is Senate Bill 10. The change, however, would apply the increase to this fiscal year.

Department Director Maria Markham said the $3 million increase in the $12 million cap on these scholarships for nontraditional students is aimed at raising the ceiling to a level that would not needed to be adjusted each year.

Jonathan Coleman, the department's financial aid manager, said 4,134 nontraditional students have been awarded Academic Challenge Scholarships, including those who received no funds, so far this fiscal year, and 374 were turned away due to insufficient scholarship funds. They will be awarded scholarships this spring. Coleman said about 30,560 traditional students who enrolled in college after graduating from high school have been awarded the scholarship this fiscal year.

-- Michael R. Wickline

Upcoming Events