ROGERS — High school graduates with a 2.5 grade point average or who score a 19 on the ACT will be eligible for scholarships from the state, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter said Friday.
Halter spoke Friday to the first class of Rogers High School students eligible for scholarships paid for by the state lottery.
Halter said the scholarships will probably be $5,000 per year for students who attend four-year colleges and $2,500 for students at two-year colleges. The amount will be finalized in February, he said.
Halter said he wants the scholarship process to be as simple as possible.
Students will be able to apply online, and should get an answer within weeks of applying, he said.
There will be no family income requirements, Halter said.
The scholarship can be combined with other scholarships and financial aid up to the total cost of attendance, he said.
Halter’s outline of the requirements drew applause from seniors.
After Halter’s appearance, a group of seniors said they planned to use the scholarship.
“It’s free money, so that’s good,” said Kyle Kemp, who plans to attend the University of Arkansas.
The scholarship will also be available to adults without college degrees, Halter said.
The scholarship will be called the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. The current version of that scholarship has family income requirements and higher academic requirements.
Halter said college students in the Academic Challenge Scholarship program will continue, but their scholarship amount will be increased to match the new program.
Halter said the scholarship is meant to boost college enrollment, an important step for individual students and the economic well-being of the state.
The scholarship can only be used at Arkansas colleges, Halter said. Money for the scholarships will come from lottery revenue and general state revenue.
He said 25 to 26 percent of lottery revenue will go to the scholarships. The rest goes to prizes and running the lottery program, he said.
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