005.29.24 Ark. Code R. 014

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 12, December, 2024

Rule 005.29.24-014 - Arkansas Division of Higher Education Rules Governing the Washington Center Scholarship

1.00PROGRAM DEFINITIONS

1.01 "Approved Institution" means a public-supported or private non-profit postsecondary institution with its primary headquarters located in Arkansas that is eligible to receive Title IV Federal student aid funds and will grant academic credit for participation in The Washington Center Internship Program located in Washington, D.C.

1.02 "The Washington Center" means the center for Internships and Academic Seminars which is an educational nonprofit organization that provides selected students' opportunities to work and learn for academic credit.

2.00ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

2.01 The Division of Higher Education shall administer The Washington Center Scholarship Program within the policies set by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

2.01.1 All formal communications shall be addressed to or signed by the Commissioner of the board or his or her designee.

2.02 The Commissioner of the division has the final responsibility for selecting scholarship recipients pursuant to the provisions of Act 1046 of 2007 and subsequent legislation, and program rules and regulations.

2.03 The division shall follow the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act when functioning under Act 1046 of 2007 and subsequent legislation.

3.00SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

3.01 An applicant must meet the following requirements to be eligible to receive The Washington Center Scholarship:

3.01.1 The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien.

3.01.1.1 If the recipient is not a U.S. citizen, but a permanent resident alien, the recipient must attach a copy of the permanent resident alien card to the application.

3.01.2 The applicant must be an Arkansas resident, as defined by the Division of Higher Education, for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline.

3.01.3 The applicant must be enrolled in an approved Arkansas institution that will grant academic credit for participation in The Washington Center Internship Program located in Washington D.C.

3.01.4 The applicant must meet The Washington Center admission requirements and be selected by the center to participate in their internship program.

3.01.5 The applicant must be enrolled in a program of study, which leads to or is creditable towards a baccalaureate degree.

3.01.5.1 These programs include baccalaureate degree programs and associate degree programs.

4.00APPLICATION PROCESS

4.01 Application

4.01.1 Students must submit an application to The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and be accepted for participation in The Washington Center's internship program.

4.01.1.1 The application and program information can be obtained from the center at:

4.01.1.1.1www.twc.edu;

4.01.1.1.2 By calling (800) 486-8921; or

4.01.1.1.3 Students can contact the campus coordinator at the institution he or she attends.

4.02 Submission of Application and Application Deadline

4.02.1 Students must submit an application to the center by the established deadline dates.

4.02.1.1 The student is responsible for submitting the application and all supporting documentation to the center in a timely manner.

4.02.1.2 The center will provide a list of all eligible applicants to the Division of Higher Education.

4.03 Amount of Scholarship

4.03.1 The amount of the scholarship for each recipient will be up to $6,000 for one-time participation in the center's internship program.

4.03.1.1 This includes participating during summer terms, semesters, quarters, or their equivalent, at the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled.

4.04 Award Notification and Prioritization of Awards

4.04.1 The center will select the students that are eligible to participate in the internship program for each applicable academic period.

4.04.1.1 Of those selected students, the division will determine the number of students to be awarded the scholarship based on the amount of funds available.

4.04.1.2 In the event there are more eligible applicants than funds available, awards will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.

4.04.1.3 Those not awarded will be given priority for participation in a subsequent term.

4.04.2 The division shall notify each eligible applicant of his or her award.

4.04.2.1 The award notice includes:

4.04.2.1.1 The student's name;

4.04.2.1.2 Address;

4.04.2.1.3 Last four (4) digits of the social security number; and

4.04.2.1.4 The scholarship amount the student is eligible to receive.

4.04.2.2 The award notice also explains the division's disbursement procedures and conditions.

4.04.3 The division shall have the authority to exercise professional judgment in the determination of awards when special circumstances exist.

4.04.3.1 The division may give special consideration of applications when extraordinary circumstances occur beyond the applicant's control that may prohibit the student from meeting the exact guidelines as stated.

4.04.3.2 For such special consideration, the student must provide documentation, as required by the division, to demonstrate that circumstances were beyond the student's control.

5.00SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENT POLICIES

5.01 Limits of Payment

5.01.1 The Division of Higher Education shall disburse scholarship funds to The Washington Center located in Washington, D.C.

5.01.2 Scholarship funds will be disbursed upon receipt of an invoice from the center.

5.01.2.1 Invoices from the center will be accepted by the division no later than ten (10) days after the beginning of each term.

5.01.2.2 The division shall send funds to the center via electronic funds transfer or state warrant.

5.02 Refunds

5.02.1 The Washington Scholarship Program may be entitled to a refund of the scholarship amount if the recipient of the scholarship:

5.02.1.1 Withdraws;

5.02.1.2 Drops out;

5.02.1.3 Is expelled; or

5.02.1.4 Does not meet the terms of the internship program outlined by the center during the payment period.

5.02.1.4.1 If this situation occurs, the student will owe funds to the center, who in turn shall return the refund to the division.

5.03 Overpayment

5.03.1 The division will report the amount of the scholarship each student receives to the Arkansas institution where the student is enrolled.

5.03.2 If the award of a Washington Scholarship results in an overpayment to the student according to the state law governing the stacking of scholarships, the institution shall follow division policy in reducing the student's financial package to prevent the student from receiving funds above the federally recognized cost of attendance.

6.00SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

6.01 It is the recipient's responsibility to notify the Division of Higher Education of any change in status within twenty-one (21) days.

6.02 Changes in status will include, but not limited to, the following:

6.02.1 Change in name;

6.02.2 Change in permanent address; or

6.02.3 Change in institution.

6.03 Failure to notify the division of a change of status may affect future eligibility.

005.29.24 Ark. Code R. 014

Adopted by Arkansas Register Volume 49, Number 11, Effective 10/31/2024