(a) An eligible student may enroll in and attend a postsecondary preparatory program at any time between:

1. (1) The first day of school after July 1 of the year in which the student first enters grade eight (8); and
2. (2) The first day of school after July 1 of the year in which the student first enters grade twelve (12).

(b)

1. (1) An eligible student shall receive priority for enrollment in a postsecondary preparatory program if the eligible student qualifies for free and reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq., as verified by:

   1. (A) A signed Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application on file with the entity administering the postsecondary preparatory program; or
   2. (B) Issuance of an Alternate Income Form for special provision schools, e.g., Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2.
2. (2) If the postsecondary preparatory program is administered by an entity other than the student’s home district, the program shall furnish a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application to the student solely for the purpose of determining eligibility under this section.
3. (3) No public school district, public school, or charter school may disclose any student’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals to any other entity, including a public school district or institution of higher education administering a postsecondary preparatory program.
4. (4) A postsecondary preparatory program may disclose a student’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, if space and funding are available after all eligible students who applied to attend a postsecondary preparatory program are enrolled, the division may permit a postsecondary preparatory program to enroll a student in grade twelve (12) or a high school graduate if the student or graduate:

1. (1) Scores below college and career readiness benchmarks on a college and career readiness assessment or placement test; and
2. (2) Will enroll in the postsecondary preparatory program no later than three (3) months after graduating from an Arkansas high school.