Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board changes requirements for college credit, scholarships

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Students in Arkansas now have improved access to college credit while in high school and scholarship funds for summer courses. This is all thanks to changes approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Data shows that students who take one college course in high school are twice as likely to earn a post-secondary degree or certificate, and while Arkansas law already provided opportunities for high school students to do that, officials say the Learns Act strengthened pathways and options for students.

This update will not only give students college credit in high school, but also give them a holistic approach for college acceptance by using GPA, prior course success and other factors versus being bound by one score.

“Students who engage in concurrent courses while in high school are better prepared to be successful in college and ultimately a career path, and they deserve the opportunity to obtain those goals early in life,” Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva said.

These changes will go into effect at the start of the new school year.

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