The Arkansas Department of Higher Education provides the following scholarships below to residents of Arkansas who are pursuing higher education. To apply, visit sams.adhe.edu
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship | ACST
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Program provides scholarships to Arkansas residents pursuing higher education. Funded in large part by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is available to students regardless of their academic status, whether just graduating from high school, currently enrolled in college, enrolling in college for the first time, or re-enrolling after a period of time out of college.
Who May Apply:
Traditional Students Students applying for the 2022-2023 academic year who are graduating from a public high school, a private or out-of-state high school, or homeschool must have an ACT superscore of at least a 19 (or an equivalent of a 19 composite on an equivalent test). Traditional students must enroll in at least 12 hours the first fall semester following high school graduation, and at least 15 hours each semester thereafter, to receive their funds that semester. They must complete at least 27 hours their first year, and at least 30 hours each year thereafter, with a 2.5 cumulative GPA. College Freshman who did not qualify for Academic Challenge Scholarship can apply as traditional students if they were enrolled as a full-time first-time freshman and completed 27 hours with a 2.5 GPA at the end of Spring. If they do not have 27 hours at the end of spring, they can apply as non-traditional. Non-Traditional Students are defined as students who are currently in college and did not receive Challenge, as well as adults who have completed some college but do not have a degree.
Non-traditional students with college hours will qualify with a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.5. Adults with no college can qualify for the Academic Challenge Scholarship if they have an ACT of 19 (or an equivalent score on an equivalent test) or 2.5 high school GPA if a graduate of an Arkansas public high school. Non-traditional students may enroll in as few as six hours and still receive a pro-rated scholarship amount. They must also maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and their continuing eligibility requirement is related to their semester enrollment.
Award Amount:
4 Year Institutions: $1,000 freshman year | $4,000 sophomore year | $4,000
junior year | $5,000 senior year. 2 Year Institutions: $1,000 freshman year |
$3,000 sophomore year
Annual Deadline:
July 1
Arkansas Future Grant | ARFUTURE
Arkansas Future (ArFuture) is the newest state grant program. The purpose of this grant is to increase the education and skills of Arkansas’s workforce in an affordable manner. The grant applies to students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) or regional high-demand areas of study. The grant will cover tuition and fees for qualifying certificate and Associate degree programs at Arkansas’ public institutions for eligible students. The grant is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Who May Apply:
Every person who has graduated from an Arkansas high school, Arkansas home school or GED program, or anyone who has a high school diploma and has lived in Arkansas for the last three years and has not yet earned an Associate degree. Students must enroll in a STEM program, a state high demand, or regionally high demand area of study. Students must complete the FAFSA. A listing of programs is available on the state financial aid website.
Award Amount:
Tuition and general mandatory fees
Arkansas Workforce Challenge | AWC
Important Note: The following information is intended as a general overview of the program for those applying, or who are considering applying, for the scholarship and is not intended to be a comprehensive compilation of program requirements. For complete information, please refer to the program’s rules and regulations at sams.adhe.edu.
The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high-demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify. Applicants must apply 30 days prior to class start date.
Who May Apply:
Every person who has graduated from an Arkansas high school, Arkansas home school or GED program, or anyone who has a high school diploma and has lived in Arkansas for the last three years. Students must enroll in a high demand area of study in the programs of Information Technology, Healthcare, and Industry. Programs are not restricted for credit bearing classes. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify. A listing of programs is available on the state financial aid website. Students are not eligible for both Academic Challenge and Workforce Challenge.
Award Amount:
Up to $800 per program