(a) The Department of Agriculture may award scholarships to Arkansas residents who are enrolled in or entering an institution of higher education that offers: (1) An undergraduate degree program at an institution of higher education located in the State of Arkansas that is related to agriculture; or(2) A postgraduate degree program at an institution of higher education located either in the State of Arkansas or outside of the State of Arkansas that is related to agriculture or veterinary medicine.(b) The department may contract or otherwise cooperate with a state-supported institution of higher education, state agency, nonprofit corporation, or other entity, as appropriate, to award scholarships under this section.(c)(1) A recipient of a scholarship under this section shall enter into an agreement with the department that contains the following requirements:(A) The receipt of scholarship funds shall be contingent upon the recipient's compliance with this section and with the agreement required under this subdivision (c)(1);(B)(i) For a scholarship awarded to an individual enrolled in a qualifying degree program under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the degree shall be obtained required under this subdivision (c)(1);(B)(i) For a scholarship awarded to an individual enrolled in a qualifying degree program under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the degree shall be obtained from an institution of higher education located in the State of Arkansas within six (6) years of the receipt of a scholarship under this section.(ii) For a scholarship awarded to an individual enrolled in a qualifying postgraduate degree program under subdivision (a)(2) of this section, the postgraduate degree shall be obtained from an institution of higher education located either in the State of Arkansas or outside of the State of Arkansas within six (6) years of the receipt of a scholarship under this section; and(C) The scholarship recipient shall: (i) Agree to work full time in the state for at least two (2) years after his or her graduation from a degree program under subsection (a) of this section; and(ii) Begin in-state employment as required under subdivision (c)(1)(C)(i) of this section not later than one (1) year after his or her graduation from a degree program under subsection (a) of this section.(2) The agreement under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall include his section not later than one (1) year after his or her graduation from a degree program under subsection (a) of this section.(2) The agreement under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall include terms for repayment of the scholarship funds upon the breach of the agreement under § 17-101-205(d)(4).(d) This section shall not be construed to require the department to endow or award any scholarship.(e) Scholarships awarded under this section are contingent upon the availability of funds.Added by Act 2023, No. 706,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023.
Arkansas Legal Code