There are a range of Arkansas scholarships for high school, undergrad and graduate students. Nicknamed the “Land of Opportunity”, Arkansas is home to the Ozarks and 80 colleges. Some of the state’s largest 4 year public schools offer Arkansas scholarships. University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University offer awards to new college students based on financial need or merit. Being a state resident is not always necessary. However, you typically must have full time enrollment and be a U.S. citizen
According to the NCES, the cost of a public 4 year college in AR was $8,622 for the 2022 academic year. Tuition was higher ($24,128) at private 4 year colleges. The state’s 2 year colleges cost an avg. of $3,486.
Because a scholarship is not a loan, the funds help make college more affordable. First, by reducing the college’s tuition and fees as well as lower the need to borrow student loans.
How Do You Get Scholarships for Arkansas Residents?
If you’re an Arkansas resident, financial aid may be available from ADHE or Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Many of their scholarships are for high school graduates and undergraduate students. ADHE has over 15 scholarships. There are also financial aid programs for teachers, military service members, public service, single parents and more. Eligibility is also based on financial need, test scores, and school costs.
For example, the Academic Challenge Scholarship is offered by the ADHE. It is for eligible Arkansas students at approved Arkansas schools. To qualify, you must be a high school senior or current college student. You must also have at least a 2.5 GPA and ACT score of 19. Scholarship funds come from the lottery. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. If you’re a recipient that follows the terms, the award may renew for up to four years.
10 Scholarships in Arkansas Available in 2024
Use our scholarship search to find Arkansas college scholarships for your college education. Make sure to check eligibility requirements and submit your scholarship application before the deadline. It might be worth earning awards like these rather than borrowing student loans.
Arkansas Health Education Grant Program (ARHEG)
Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependent Scholarship Program
AR Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship
AR Military Dependents Scholarship Program
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa Scholarship
Fred R. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship
The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. Annual High School Senior Essay
Florence Wood Scholarship
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship (Craighead County)
What Arkansas College Scholarships are for Graduating Seniors?
It’s your senior year which is the perfect time to start applying for scholarships. Your GPA and test scores are important to secure a scholarship in Arkansas. State aid programs and many AR colleges offer awards to deserving Arkansas seniors. For instance the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship. It is a state sponsored merit award. It pays tuition, mandatory fees, room and board up to $10,000 per year. If you’re a graduating senior, you also need a 32 ACT or 1410 SAT and 3.50 grade point average.
In addition, Arkansas Tech University’s freshmen merit scholarships require a 3.25 GPA. The Arkansas Future Grant which is the newest state grant does not set a GPA. It requires you to have a high school diploma or GED. You also must complete the FAFSA. You should be enrolled in a STEM associate or certificate program in an AR public college.
A local business like NIADA may also offer financial assistance. The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Foundation provides $3,500 scholarships. These go to a high school senior in each region of their organization. Strong grades and leadership are required criteria.
Could Out of State Students Apply for Scholarships in AR?
Out of state students may be eligible for Arkansas college scholarships. The avg. out of state tuition at a 4 year public school in AR is $21,981 in 2021 to 2022. For private schools, the avg. tuition is $24,128. Costs may vary each year.
For instance, University of Arkansas cost $9,656 per year (in state) vs $27,410 (out of state) in 2022 to 2023. They offer the New Arkansan Non Resident Tuition Award Scholarship. The award covers most of the difference between out of state and in state tuition. The school grants it automatically to eligible degree seeking students.
Arkansas State University also has an in state ($7,456) and out of state ($13.312) tuition in 2022 to 2023. The school offers a merit award called A State Scholar program. It provides up to $14,000 per year to admitted students. One of the criteria is to accept to live in an A State Jonesboro residence hall. Eligible applicants must also have at least a 3.5 GPA, 32 ACT score or new SAT total of 1420.
List of Arkansas Scholarships
Check out our list of scholarships in Arkansas worth .
This award provides a waiver of non-resident tuition for students from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico or Oklahoma enrolled in certain public institutions in Texas.
This award is available to Arkansas graduate students who are studying dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic medicine at an eligible out-of-state institution.
This award is available for Arkansas high school seniors who are planning to attend a two-year or four-year postsecondary institution in Arkansas. Students must successfully complete the Smart Core curriculum established by the Arkansas Department of Education and have an ACT (or ACT equivalent) score of 19 or higher.
This award is available to Arkansas resident undergraduate students who are attending an Arkansas state-supported college or university. Students must be the natural child, adopted child, or spouse of an Arkansas resident who is/was one of the following: a prisoner of war, missing in action, killed in action, killed on ordnance delivery, or disabled during the course or result of active military duty after Jan. 1, 1960.
Applications are available from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) website. Accessing the application requires students to register for an account using the electronic Arkansas Universal Financial Aid System.
As part of the application, students must also submit the following eligibility documentations: a death certificate or Report of Casualty from the appropriate branch of the U.S. military; a Statement of Award for Special Monthly Compensation by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected, 100 percent total and permanent disability (VA Form 20-5455); a copy of the veteran’s DD214 form showing service dates; a copy of his/her birth certificate or a copy of legal adoption or guardianship appointed certificate (if apply as an eligible dependent child) or a copy of his/her marriage license (if applying as an eligible spouse).
The application deadline is July 1 annually.
This award is available to Arkansas residents who are attending an Arkansas state-supported college or university. The student must be the dependent or the spouse of an Arkansas resident who was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty while working in a law enforcement or public service position.
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores and/or graduate students who are residents of Arkansas and who are currently attending a college/university in Arkansas. Students must be members of the American Occupational Therapy Association and be pursing a career in occupational therapy.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund services 68 of the 75 counties in Arkansas along with Bowie County, TX. We provide scholarships to single parents pursuing postsecondary education.
Applying for one of the single parent scholarships offered by ASPSF is easy! Follow the steps outlined below, and you will be on your way.
This scholarship is available for Hempstead County, Arkansas residents who are pursuing a career-oriented course of study (full- or part-time) to ensure a better standard of living for their families. Students must be single (never married, legally separated, divorced, or widowed) with legal custody and sole responsibility for one or more children under the age of 18.
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Arkansas. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) – Southwestern Regional Chapter (SWRC) is pleased to announce a scholarship program in honor and recognition of 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era (June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955). These men and women answered the call to fight for a country and people they never knew and never met. More than 54,000 Americans died and 103,000 were wounded.
To express our gratitude to these veterans for their sacrifices, KASF-SWRC will offer their descendants an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. KASF-SWRC scholarship program will recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated outstanding talents and potential for success.
