The state of Arkansas has several grants available to college students! If you’re planning on studying in Arkansas, these are definitely awards you should check out!
Arkansas College Grants
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship awards different amounts depending on the students’ year in college, varying from $1,000 for first years to $5,000 for seniors.
In order to qualify, students need to:
- Have graduated high school or homeschool
- Take at least 12 credit hours in their first college semester and 15 credit hours for every semester after
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA
The award program is open to traditional students as well as non-traditional students (such as adults who are attending college for the first time years after graduating high school).
Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture)
ArFuture is for students who are participating in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs or similar areas of study. Those who are awarded this grant will have their full tuition and fees covered. There are two application deadlines for this grant, too: one in the fall and one in the spring. A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required.
Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship (GS)
This particular scholarship is very difficult to win! Awarding up to $10,000 per year, students must have earned at least a 32 on the ACT or a 1410 on the SAT and have a 3.5 GPA. The GPA requirement can be waived for students who were named National Merit Finalists or National Achievement Scholarships. Interested students also have to complete their FAFSA to be eligible.
Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship (LEO)
For students and spouses of Arkansas law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and teachers who died in the line of duty or were permanently disabled, there is the Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship. Some other careers qualify, too, but the student also has to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Those who are awarded the scholarship will receive a tuition waiver to attend college and have all fees and on-campus room charges paid for.
Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS)
The MDS provides tuition, fees, and room and board waivers for dependents of military members if the individual was killed in the line of duty, missing, permanently disabled, or was a prisoner of war. A 2.0 GPA is required, and the student must complete at least 24 semester hours in an academic year.
And Others
Other Arkansas state grants students may be eligible for include:
- Arkansas Health Education Grant (ARHEG)
- For graduate students pursuing a degree in medicine and related fields.
- Arkansas Workforce Challenge (AWC)
- For students entering healthcare, information technology, and industry and need workforce training.
- Arkansas Concurrent Challenge (CCS)
- This is designed for high school students who want to get a head start on their college education before graduation.
- Governor’s Higher Education Transition Scholarship (GHETS)
- Out-of-State Veterinary Medical Education Loan Repayment Program (OOS)
- State Teacher Education Program (STEP)
- A loan repayment program.
- Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
- Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
- A tuition reimbursement grant.
- Washington Center Scholarship
- Awards up to $6,000 for students from Arkansas that were accepted to The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.
Where Can You Find More Information About Arkansas State Grants?
Most scholarships and grants from the state of Arkansas have a deadline of July 1st, but not all. To learn more about deadlines, application requirements, qualifications, and award amounts, head over to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) website and the Scholarship Application Management System.
Scholarships can make college more affordable for most students but finding awards can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Our Scholarship Search Tool can make the legwork feel like a breeze!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.99%-16.61%* Variable
4.24%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.37% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
5.37% - 17.99% Variable
3.79% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
5.98% - 13.74% Variable
3.99% - 12.61% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.99% - 15.85% Variable
3.79% - 15.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
4.17% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
6.00% - 14.22% Variable
4.50% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
