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Top Arkansas Scholarships in 2022
Are you a student in the state of Arkansas? If so, you can pay for your college or graduate school education with scholarships! In fact, there are specific Arkansas scholarships that are meant to support students in the state. These scholarships include opportunities for high school, college, and graduate Arkies.
Don’t miss: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool
Jump ahead to:
- Arkansas student loan debt snapshot
- Top Arkansas scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Arkansas colleges and universities
- Additional Arkansas resources
- Frequently asked questions
Arkansas college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Arkansas residents owe $13.0 billion in federal student loan debt, with 390,000 student borrowers owing $33,333 on average (those numbers do not include private loans). Over 50% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for. Keep on reading to learn more about top Arkansas scholarships from private organizations, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Arkansas!
Top Arkansas scholarships
Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship
- Eligibility: Arkansas residents who are applying for a certificate program in a high-demand occupation. Must have graduated from an Arkansas high school or GED program.
- Amount: $800
- Deadline: Must apply at least 30 days prior to enrollment in an eligible program
Arkansas Baptist Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: The Arkansas Baptist Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for different schools, people, and areas of study. Must be an Arkansas resident and a Baptist or Christian
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies from February 1st to June 1st of each year
Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators Scholarships
- Eligibility: Arkansas graduating high school seniors, graduate students, and vocational students who are pursuing a variety of majors (includes associate and vocational degrees)
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies from February to June of each year
Cornerstone Charitable Scholarship Trust
- Eligibility: African American students who have roots in Arkansas. Be 17-25 years old. Demonstrate good academic performance and financial need
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 30 of the year before enrollment
R. Preston Woodruff Jr. Scholarship
- Eligibility: Arkansas residents who are high school seniors and planning to attend a postsecondary education institution in Arkansas. Must complete an essay prompt
- Amount: Up to $4,000
- Deadline: April 1 of each year
Arkansas Farm Bureau scholarships
- Eligibility: Arkansas college juniors or seniors with at least two full semesters required for completion of their degree. Must be actively pursuing an agricultural/agricultural related degree at an Arkansas University
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: April 17 of each year
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Live in Arkansas. Meet the definition of a “single parent.” Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree. Have a high school diploma or GED. Have a 2.0+ GPA. Complete the FAFSA. Be pursuing a degree or certification that leads to employment at family-supporting wages
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: May 18 and October 15 each year
Arkansas Nurses Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be an Arkansas Registered Nurse and a resident of Arkansas. Be admitted to an accredited nursing degree program
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: August 1 of each year
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship – Traditional students
- Eligibility: Arkansas residents going into their first year of college. Have an ACT of 19+ (or equivalent on another test). Enroll full-time at a college or university
- Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
- Deadline: July 1 of each year
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship – Non-traditional students
- Eligibility: Be an Arkansas resident. Adults with college credits must have a 2.5+ GPA. Adults without credits must have a 19+ ACT score (or equivalent) or a 2.5+ GPA from an Arkansas high school. May enroll in as little as 6 hours to maintain scholarship. Must be the applicant’s first bachelor’s degree
- Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
- Deadline: July 1 of each year
Merit scholarships at Arkansas colleges and universities
Harding University
- Eligibility: First-years admitted to Harding University. Enroll full-time. Have a 3.0+ GPA. Exact amount of award depends on ACT/SAT/CLT score and GPA
- Amount: $2,000 – $11,000
- Deadline: Rolling
Hendrix College
- Eligibility: Based on GPA, standardized test scores (unless test optional), leadership and extracurricular activities, and recommendations
- Amount: $15,000+
- Deadline: Upon application to Hendrix College
Lyon College
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Lyon College with a 20+ ACT and 2.5+ GPA
- Amount: $11,000 – full tuition
- Deadline: Apply early to Lyon College and be admitted and considered
Ouachita Baptist University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years. Have a 2.0+ GPA
- Amount: $20,000 – $76,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Ouachita Baptist University
University of Arkansas
- Eligibility: First-years at the University of Arkansas. Evaluated based on test scores, high school GPA, and the written scholarship application along with other factors such as first-generation college student status, financial need, legacy status, and underrepresented community status
- Amount: $1,000 – $10,000 per year
- Deadline: February 1
University of the Ozarks
- Eligibility: Be admitted to the University of the Ozarks. Have a 2.5 – 3.75+ GPA
- Amount: $11,000 – $13,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to University of the Ozarks
Additional Arkansas resources
Arkansas Community Foundation scholarship portal
Create an account with the Arkansas Community Foundation to browse their scholarship portal. Scholarships are usually accepted February 1 – April 1 annually.
Arkansas Student Loan Authority scholarship search
The Arkansas Student Loan Authority hosts a list of Arkansas scholarships for a variety of people and areas of study.
Arkansas Division of Higher Education
This is an outstanding website for both in-state and out-of-state students considering or attending college in Arkansas. In addition to information on colleges, the website offers resources for financial planning, information on veterans training, and links to AmeriCorps opportunities.
University of Arkansas Community Colleges
This listing of community colleges in Arkansas and what each offers is a great place to start your search, whether you are planning on transferring to a four-year college or university or seeking technical career training.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Arkansas students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas offer free college?
That depends! The Arkansas Futures Grant is for students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) or regional high demand areas of study. The grant covers tuition and fees for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs at Arkansas’ public institutions for eligible students. Apply early, as this grant is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Free college is also available for Arkansas senior citizens (those age 60 years or older) at the University of Arkansas. Enrollment is contingent on space availability of classes; senior registration period starts the Friday before classes begin. Qualifying seniors are also eligible for graduate-level study depending on availability of classes. If you are 60+ years old, check out the links above and take your first step towards becoming a Senior Razorback!
