§ 6-82-105 - Administration -- Authority of Department of Higher Education. - Arkansas Statutes

6-82-105. Administration -- Authority of Department of Higher Education.

The Department of Higher Education shall administer all state college financial assistance programs provided by legislation or by law and in so doing shall have the following authority and responsibility with respect to state college financial assistance programs provided by legislation or by law to:

(1) Adopt such rules as the department shall deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter;

(2) 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 student financial aid programs, including, but not limited to, rules determining academic ability, financial need, and residency;

(3) Prepare application forms, parents' confidential financial statement forms, or any other forms as necessary to properly administer and carry out the purposes of this subchapter and to furnish the forms to persons desiring to make application for state financial aid;

(4) Consider all applications for state scholarships;

(5) Determine a termination date for the acceptance of applications;

(6) Require applicants to file additional information with the department as necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter and to prevent fraud, misrepresentation, or misleading representation by applicants;

(7) Determine the necessary procedures for the awarding of grants should the number of eligible applicants exceed funds available;

(8) Disburse scholarship grants to qualified students through eligible postsecondary institutions;

(9) Approve or determine the eligibility of any state-supported institution of higher education to participate in or receive disbursements of financial aid on behalf of students awarded any state financial assistance provided by legislation or by law;

(10) 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 scholarship program;

(11) 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; and

(12) Provide fair and equitable treatment to all approved institutions and students.