(a) If funds are available, the Department of Higher Education shall distribute Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships to all students who meet the requirements under § 6-85-304.

(b)

(1) The department shall distribute scholarships from the funds available in an equal amount to every student eligible to receive a scholarship under this subchapter.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an academic year shall be the lesser of:

(A) Eight hundred dollars ($800); or

(B)

(i) The cost of the certificate program or program of study.

(ii) The cost of a certificate program or program of study shall include:

(a) Tuition, fees, or other charges;

(b) Textbooks or other course materials; and

(c) Equipment needed for a course.

(3) The scholarship awards may be used for expenses included in the cost of the certificate program or program of study.

(4) A scholarship under this section shall be only for the academic year for which it is awarded.

(c)

(1) If the department has funds remaining after making the distributions under subsection (b) of this section, the department shall distribute scholarships to students for the summer term of the academic year.

(2) If funds are available under subdivision (c)(1) of this section, a student shall apply for a scholarship for a summer term by a date determined by the department preceding the summer term.

(3)

(A) The department shall distribute scholarships for a summer term in the same manner as under subsection (b) of this section.

(B) Scholarships for a summer term may be used in the same manner as under subsection (b) of this section.

(4) A student who received a scholarship under subsection (b) of this section may also receive a scholarship for a summer term.

(d) The department shall disburse scholarship awards on behalf of an eligible student directly to the approved institution of higher education.