Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
1 State of Arkansas
2 93rd General Assembly A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2021 SENATE BILL 503
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5 By: Senator Irvin
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7 For An Act To Be Entitled
8 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP APPEALS COMMITTEE
9 WITHIN THE DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION; AND FOR
10 OTHER PURPOSES.
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13 Subtitle
14 TO ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP APPEALS
15 COMMITTEE WITHIN THE DIVISION OF HIGHER
16 EDUCATION.
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19 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
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21 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 80, Subchapter 1, is amended
22 to add an additional section to read as follows:
23 6-80-109. Scholarship appeals.
24 (a) The Division of Higher Education shall establish an appeals
25 committee for all scholarships administered by the division.
26 (b)(1) The appeals committee shall be composed of seven (7) members
27 appointed by the Director of the Division of Higher Education, which shall
28 include:
29 (A) One (1) financial aid staff member from a state-
30 supported four-year institution of higher education;
31 (B) One (1) financial aid staff member from a state-
32 supported two-year institution of higher education; and
33 (C) The Assistant Director of Financial Aid of the
34 Division of Higher Education.
35 (2) The Director of the Division of Higher Education shall serve
36 as an ex officio nonvoting member of the appeals committee.
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 SB503
1 (c)(1) Only the following matters are appealable to the appeals
2 committee established under this section:
3 (A) An appeal to reinstate a scholarship;
4 (B) An appeal to change a probationary status; or
5 (C) An appeal to amend a scholarship hold request.
6 (2) The appeals committee shall not hear appeals to:
7 (A) Waive eligibility requirements for a scholarship; and
8 (B) Hear matters that are specifically prohibited by law.
9 (d) An individual initiating an appeal under subsection (c) shall
10 provide:
11 (1) A transcript; and
12 (2) Any other documentation requested by the appeals committee.
13 (e)(1) An individual may appeal a decision issued by the division
14 regarding an appealable matter as set out in subdivision (c)(1) of this
15 section immediately upon notification of the change in his or her scholarship
16 status.
17 (2)(A) The appeals committee shall provide a final decision
18 within thirty (30) days of receipt of an appeal.
19 (B) A decision issued by the appeals committee is final
20 and not subject to further appeal or request for rehearing to the appeals
21 committee or petition for judicial review under the Arkansas Administrative
22 Procedure Act, 25-15-201 et seq.
23 (3) A scholarship payment shall not be made retroactive upon a
24 finding by the appeals committee in favor of an individual.
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