(a) A postsecondary educational institution shall provide to the selection committee a copy of the academic transcript of each rural scholar for whom the institution has received a release that complies with state and federal open records laws and authorizes the provision of a transcript.
(b) The department shall require reports from students and postsecondary educational institutions as needed to monitor the program. After receiving any necessary releases as a condition of providing assistance, the department shall distribute reports relating to the progress of an outstanding rural scholar to the community sponsoring the scholar.