AR HB1417

Expands the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program to include public or private vocational-technical schools and technical institutes as approved institutions of higher education, with requirements that they be bonded and insured.

Requires scholarship applicants at vocational-technical schools or technical institutes to be accepted into programs leading to associate degrees or certificates in high-demand fields: industry, health care, or information technology.

Directs the Division of Higher Education to file annual reports by November 1 to the Legislative Council on all state-supported financial assistance awarded to students in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes, including recommendations for adding or removing eligible high-demand fields.

Allocates up to $2,000,000 from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account annually for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program on behalf of students enrolled in technical institutes or vocational-technical institutes.