The Department of Higher Education shall administer the Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant Program provided for in this subchapter and in so doing shall have the following authority and responsibility with respect to the program:
(1) To consider all applications for an Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant;
(2) To prepare application forms and other forms as it shall deem necessary to properly administer and carry out the purposes of this subchapter and to furnish the forms to persons desiring to make application for a grant;
(3) (A) To determine the necessary procedures for the awarding of grants should the number of eligible applicants exceed funds available, giving priority to those students who exhibit financial need and who meet academic eligibility requirements.
(B) To identify those students who exhibit financial need, the department shall utilize the family contribution method or another acceptable approved methodology;
(4) To determine a termination date for the acceptance of applications;
(5) To require applicants to file such additional information with the department as it may deem necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter and to prevent fraud or misrepresentation or misleading representation by applicants;
(6) To disburse grants to qualified students;
(7) To adopt rules and regulations as the department deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter;
(8) To cooperate with and receive the cooperation of the approved private and public institutions of postsecondary education in the state and their governing bodies in the administration of the program;
(9) To establish and consult as necessary an advisory committee representing the private and public sectors of postsecondary education in determining guidelines and regulations for administration of the program, including, but not limited to, rules determining academic ability, financial need, and residency;
(10) To employ or engage such professional, administrative, clerical, and other employees as may be necessary to assist the department in the performance of its duties and responsibilities;
(11) To provide fair and equitable treatment to all approved institutions and students; and
(12) To approve a scholarship hold for a student for a period of twenty-four (24) months or less for the following reasons without limitation:
(A) A medical condition of the student or of 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;
(B) A personal or family emergency that requires the student to:
(i) Attend the funeral of an immediate family member; or
(ii) Visit a relative of the student if the relative has a medical condition in which death is possible or imminent;
(C) Military service under ยง 6-61-112; or
(D) (i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) The department shall release a scholarship hold if the department determines that the student did not complete the commitment under the written agreement.
Section: Previous 6-82-1602 6-82-1603 6-82-1604 6-82-1605 6-82-1606 6-82-1607 6-82-1608 6-82-1609 6-82-1610 6-82-1612 6-82-1613 6-82-1614 NextLast modified: November 15, 2016