Issue 1 Provides Lottery Money For Vocational-Technical Schools

RISON - Arkansas voters will decide on three statewide ballot issues in the upcoming Nov. 5 general election. Issue 1 concerns which educational institutions qualify for state scholarship funding.The following information on Issue 1 has been provided by the Public Policy Center for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. The Public Policy Center has provided neutral information on statewide ballot issues since 2004, providing arguments both for and against each issue:What Would Issue 1 Do? Arkansas legislators are asking voters to expand the types of educational institutions that qualify for state lottery scholarships.Currently, lottery scholarships can be used at private and public non-profit two and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Issue 1 would also allow students to use lottery scholarships at private and public vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. If approved, it would become effective Jan. 1, 2025.The legislature establishes criteria to determine who is eligible to receive the scholarships and grants under this proposal.In 2008, Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow the state to establish, operate and regulate state lotteries to fund scholarships and grants for Arkansas citizens enrolled in private and public non-profit two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the state. Voters approved what is known as Amendment 87 by a vote of 648,122 in favor and 383,467 against.Available ScholarshipsSales of lottery tickets in Arkansas raised $114.7 million for college scholarships during the state’s 2023 Fiscal Year of July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. Current lottery-funded scholarships include:The Arkansas Academic Challenge Program - This college scholarship is funded by Arkansas lottery proceeds as well as $20 million from state general revenue funds allocated by the legislatur...