The following definitions are used in the Teacher Opportunity Program:

1. (1)

   1. (A) “Academic year” means a measure of the academic work to be accomplished by the recipient.
   2. (B) The academic year is defined as fall, spring, and summer semesters, in that order;

2. (2)

   1. (A) “Arkansas resident” means an applicant that has been an Arkansas resident for twelve (12) months prior to the application deadline for the financial aid program.
   2. (B) Further, the recipient may be asked to provide evidence of a permanent connection with the State of Arkansas.

   3. (C) The Division of Higher Education will determine residency through:

      1. (i) A valid Arkansas driver’s license;
      2. (ii) Proof of payment for Arkansas personal and/or real taxes for the previous year;
      3. (iii) Proof of Arkansas vehicle registration;
      4. (iv) Proof of Arkansas voter registration; and
      5. (v) Other forms of proof of Arkansas residency;

3. (3)

   1. (A) “Approved institution” means an Arkansas postsecondary public or private college, university, or school that is currently accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association that has a teacher licensure program where those courses are directly creditable toward teacher licensure in a baccalaureate institution.
   2. (B) The institution must not discriminate against applicants, or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin, consistent with the provisions of applicable state and federal laws;

4. (4) “Award year” means the year:

   1. (A) Beginning on July 1 of one (1) calendar year; and
   2. (B) Extending to June 30 of the next calendar year;

5. (5) “Classroom teacher” means an individual who is required to hold a teaching license from the Division of Higher Education and who is:

   1. (A) Engaged directly in instruction with students in a classroom setting for more than seventy percent (70%) of the individual’s contracted time;
   2. (B) A media specialist or librarian;
   3. (C) A guidance counselor; or
   4. (D) An administrator;
6. (6) “Dual license” means licensure to teach in more than one (1) subject area;

7. (7) “Semester” means one-half (1/2) of a traditional academic year at an institution of higher education, or an equivalent approved by the Division of Higher Education, in which a student enrolls for not less than:

   1. (A) Fifteen (15) credit hours as a full-time student, except that in the first semester as a first-time full-time freshman, a traditional student shall enroll in not less than twelve (12) credit hours; or

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Six (6) credit hours as a part-time student.
      2. (ii) For purposes of summer courses at an institution of higher education, "semester" means the same as is defined in this section;

8. (8) “Scholarship” means a program that is:

   1. (A) Funded with state funds or lottery proceeds; and
   2. (B) Administered by the Division of Higher Education; and
9. (9) “Teach on a full-time basis” means teaching the same number of hours required of teachers who have full-time contracts, as determined by the institution or agency in which an individual is teaching, for a minimum of one (1) academic term, as defined by the institution or agency in which an individual is teaching.