Sen. Hickey proposes changes to lottery scholarship awards

A state senator has proposed changes to how Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships are awarded.

State Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, on Friday presented a draft bill to the Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee that calls for dividing student recipients into two categories: one with GPAs of at least 3.25 and ACT scores of 22 or higher, and another with GPAs of at least 2.5 and ACT scores of 19 or higher.

The students with the higher GPA and ACT scores would receive their scholarships in advance of their freshman years, as all students do currently. But those in the second group would be reimbursed for the amount only after "they successfully complete their freshman year and enroll for their sophomore year," according to an overview of the bill Hickey presented to committee members.

The bill also calls for establishing a $750 scholarship award for students in certificate-of-proficiency or technical-certificate programs.

Hickey said the changes could save several million dollars and make up for a shortfall between projected lottery revenue and projected scholarship awards. He noted that the lottery projects to provide $78 million for scholarships this year. An additional $20 million in general revenue for the scholarship still falls short of $102 million projected to be awarded.

Hickey asked the legislators to keep in mind "three Cs:"

"Cash flow, compassion for students and a combination of both," he said.

He said he has already prefiled the bill for consideration in next year's legislative session.

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Sen. Hickey proposes changes to lottery scholarship awards