I live in Arkansas and am considering applying for an Arkansas lottery scholarship. Do they restrict their scholarships only to colleges within the state, or can I use the funds at out-of-state institutions?
Yes, Arkansas lottery scholarships primarily benefit in-state students attending in-state institutions. The scholarship is awarded through the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program, which is designated for state residents attending colleges, universities, or technical schools in Arkansas.
The intent of the lottery-funded scholarships is to encourage and support higher education within the state. This doesn't just help the students by easing the financial burden of attending college, but also helps the schools by attracting more students and the state as a whole by enhancing the educational landscape.
However, there are certain exceptions for out-of-state schools. For instance, the out-of-state schools must lie within the border of Arkansas and the recipient must be seeking a degree in a course that is unavailable in any Arkansas institution.
Hence, if you're considering an out-of-state school, make sure to check whether your intended major is offered within Arkansas. If your desired major is not available in any Arkansas schools, you might still be eligible to use the scholarship at an out-of-state institution that's near the Arkansas border.
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