AR SB343

Creates the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program to fund scholarships for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in endorsed concurrent enrollment courses or certificate programs at approved institutions of higher education.

Eligible students must be Arkansas residents (or have a parent who is if under 21), submit a student success plan, and maintain a minimum grade of "C" to successfully complete courses; students who fail twice become ineligible.

Scholarships provide up to $125 per endorsed concurrent enrollment credit course or certificate program (maximum two per semester), capped at $500 per academic year or the actual tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less.

Funding comes from excess lottery proceeds remaining after the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program is fully funded, with a minimum threshold of $250,000 required to award scholarships in any academic year.

Modifies lottery fund distribution to establish trust accounts for both the Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program and the new Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, with excess funds carried over year to year.