(a)
(1) From and after June 28, 1985, any public school teacher or administrator who is a member of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and takes a leave of absence from a school in order to obtain an advanced degree at an institution of higher learning or to fulfill the requirements of a scholarship or grant shall be eligible, upon application, to receive credited service in the system for the time of actual enrollment in the institution.
(2) Evidence of the minimum days of enrollment at an institution of higher education in a fiscal year equivalent to the minimum days of service required for a fiscal year of service credit under § 24-7-601 shall be presented with the application.
(b) The service shall be credited in accordance with § 24-7-601.
(c) The member shall pay the actuarial equivalent of the member's benefits to the system for each year of service credit being granted.