AR SB503

Establishes a scholarship appeals committee within the Division of Higher Education to hear appeals on scholarships administered by the division.

Appeals committee consists of 7 members appointed by the Director of the Division of Higher Education, including one financial aid staff member from a state-supported four-year institution, one from a state-supported two-year institution, and the Assistant Director of Financial Aid.

Committee may only hear appeals to reinstate a scholarship, change probationary status, or amend a scholarship hold request; cannot hear appeals to waive eligibility requirements or matters prohibited by law.

Appellants must provide a transcript and any other documentation requested by the committee, and the committee must issue a final decision within 30 days of receiving an appeal.

Appeals committee decisions are final and not subject to further appeal, rehearing requests, or judicial review; scholarship payments cannot be made retroactively upon a favorable committee finding.