(1) "Eligible student" means a student who is:

(A) At least sixteen (16) years of age;

(B) Either:

(i) Below the fifty percent (50%) of credits required for grade level and the minimum set of credits needed to complete a high school diploma from a public school before the age of twenty-one (21); or

(ii) Recommended for participation in the Reengagement System and Differentiated Pathway to a High School Diploma Program by a high school counselor; and

(C) Enrolled in or enrolls in the school district in which the student resides or in a nonresident school district under a legal school choice option;

(2)

(A) "Full-time equivalent eligible student" means an eligible student whose enrollment and attendance meet the criteria adopted by the school district specifically for the program.

(B) Criteria adopted by a school district shall be based on:

(i) The accumulated credits generated by the student in high school, at a state-supported institution of higher education, or in the Arkansas National Guard Youth Challenge Program; and

(ii) A minimum amount of planned programming or instruction and minimum attendance by the student, rather than the hours of seat time; and

(3) "Participating program" means an educational program that offers without limitation the following instruction and services:

(A) (i) Academic instruction that generates credits that can be applied to a high school diploma from the student's school district or from a state-supported institution of higher education with the goal of enabling the student to obtain the academic and workforce skills necessary for employment, postsecondary education, or the military, including without limitation:

(a) Academic skills instruction; and

(b) College and workforce readiness preparation.

(ii) Academic instruction is not limited to only the subject areas in which the student is deficient in accumulated credits.

(iii) Academic instruction shall be provided by a certified teacher or by an instructor employed by a state-supported institution of higher education;

(B) Individual graduation plans;

(C) Academic and career counseling;

(D) Assistance with accessing services and resources that support the student and reduce barriers to achieving educational success and earning a high school diploma; and

(E)

(i) If the program is offered by a state-supported institution of higher education, the opportunity for qualified students to enroll in college courses or workforce readiness courses that lead to a high school diploma or enrollment in postsecondary education programs, including certification programs.

(ii) College tuition and fees shall be paid by the school district unless a previous memorandum of understanding specifies that the cost is to be shared by the school district, the state-supported institution of higher education, and the student.