everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Education

SB202

To Amend The Maximum Scholarship Award Amount A Student May Receive Under The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program.

Failed

Last Action (May 1, 2023): Sine Die adjournment

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 202 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program. The primary purpose of the bill is to increase the maximum annual scholarship award amount that a student may receive. Currently set at $800, the bill seeks to raise this cap to $1,500. The scholarship is intended to cover costs associated with certificate programs or specific courses of study, including tuition, fees, textbooks, and necessary equipment. The legislation maintains the existing provision that the award amount is determined by the lesser of the cap or the actual cost of the program.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are students enrolled in certificate programs or workforce training courses in Arkansas who stand to receive increased financial assistance. Additionally, the workforce development programs and educational institutions offering these certificate courses may benefit from increased student enrollment due to the higher financial aid support.

Who Might Suffer?

The bill may negatively impact the Arkansas state budget or the specific fund dedicated to the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, as increasing the maximum award per student requires a larger appropriation of public funds. Consequently, this could potentially limit the number of students who can be supported if total funding remains static, or it may necessitate tax revenue reallocation to cover the increased per-student costs.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us