§ 6-82-1605 - Eligibility. - Arkansas Statutes

6-82-1605. Eligibility.

A qualified student shall be eligible for an initial or renewed state Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant only if the student:

(1) Is a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien;

(2) Is a resident of the State of Arkansas as determined by the Department of Higher Education for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date on which the student applies;

(3) Is accepted for admission at an approved institution of postsecondary education of his or her choice to pursue a baccalaureate degree, an associate degree, or a credit certificate;

(4) Is enrolled in no fewer than three (3) credit hours or the equivalent as of the eleventh day of class at an approved institution that the department has determined to be eligible to participate in the Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant Program;

(5) (A) As an initial first-year student, meets satisfactory academic progress standards required to receive other financial aid at the institution to be attended as determined by the rules and regulations of the department.

(B) After the initial first year, the student meets satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution attended;

(6) Has not earned a baccalaureate degree;

(7) Does not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or State Student Incentive Grant award or is not in default on a National Defense/Direct Student Loan, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, Supplemental Loan for Students, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, Income Contingent Loan, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, or Consolidated Loans Program;

(8) Has not borrowed, as determined by the institution to be attended, in excess of the annual loan limits under the Federal Family Educational Loan Program Systems, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, Income Contingent Loan Demonstration Program, Stafford Loan Program, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students Program, or Supplemental Loan for Students Program in the same academic year for which the student has applied for assistance under the Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant Program and has not borrowed in excess of the aggregate maximum loan limits under the Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant Program;

(9) Is twenty-four (24) years of age or older on or before the first day of the semester or summer sessions in which the grant has been awarded; and

(10) (A) Graduated from high school or passed the General Educational Development Test.

(B) Meets the ability-to-benefit criteria as defined by federal regulations in existence on January 1, 2003.