SB3
To Amend The Definition Of A Dependent For Purposes Of Higher Education Scholarships; And To Amend The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program.
Last Action (Nov. 21, 2022): Sine Die adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 3 amends the Arkansas Code to clarify and update the definition of a 'dependent' for the purposes of state higher education tuition waivers and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program. The bill formalizes eligibility for spouses, biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren of disabled veterans, prisoners of war, individuals missing in action, or service members killed in action or during ordnance delivery. It mandates that dependent children must meet eligibility criteria as established by the United States Department of Education and requires residency in Arkansas. Additionally, the bill modifies the prioritization criteria for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, specifically identifying dependents of military service members who were Arkansas residents at the time of enlistment or maintain official Arkansas residency and were killed while performing military duty.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are the spouses and children—including biological, adopted, and stepchildren—of disabled veterans, prisoners of war, and military personnel who are missing in action or were killed in the line of duty. These individuals benefit from clearer and more consistent eligibility definitions for tuition waivers and prioritized access to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, which helps reduce the financial burden of higher education.
Who Might Suffer?
The bill does not explicitly target any group for negative impact. However, by strictly defining and potentially tightening the criteria for 'dependents' eligible for scholarship prioritization (such as emphasizing legal adoption or legal guardianship for certain categories), some individuals who previously might have qualified under broader or less clear interpretations may find their eligibility restricted or clarified in a way that excludes them from priority status.
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