State & Federal Grants
ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program
Qualified high school students may be eligible to enroll in concurrent courses. ACCESS to Acceleration (A2A) will award eligible high school students $65 per semester credit hour for up to 15 hours per semester. High school students who are classified as a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior can qualify. Must be an Arkansas resident or one parent of the student is an Arkansas resident. Must be enrolled in a concurrent course, but not in a vocation center where the student’s enrollment is reimbursable under § 6-51-305. Must meet all established requirements for concurrent enrollment courses set by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
A student will be eligible to continue receiving the scholarship if they successfully complete a concurrent credit course(s) with a minimum college GPA of 2.5. A student who fails to complete a concurrent credit course is eligible to retake the course one additional time. If the student fails or withdraws the second time, they are no longer eligible to take that class but may continue taking concurrent courses provided their college GPA remains above a 2.5. If a student fails to maintain a 2.5 college GPA after two semesters, they are no longer eligible to receive the A2A scholarship.
Contact your high school counselor or local college advisor for student and course eligibility.
AR Future Grant
A non-refundable tuition and fee grant for qualified Associate and Certificate programs. Students must have graduated from an Arkansas High School, home school, or GED program and have lived in AR for at least 3 years. Students can be traditional or non-traditional students, and grant will allow for part-time enrollment. Students must be enrolled in a High Demand Credential Program as specified by ADHE, complete a FAFSA application. Students can find out more information and apply by using the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery)
The Academic Challenge program provides educational assistance to Arkansas residents in pursuit of higher education. Additional funding made possible by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has allowed the expansion of this program. Both traditional- and nontraditional-aged students may be eligible to receive funds under this program. All students are required to be Arkansas residents and be accepted for admission at an approved institution of higher education and be enrolled in a program that leads to a baccalaureate, associate, or qualified certificate program. Eligible traditional-aged students are required to have completed certain high school class, grade point, and ACT requirements. Eligible non-traditional-aged students are required to meet various grade point and ACT requirements. Students can find out more information and apply by using the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).
Arkansas Academic Challenge+ Plus Scholarship
Students who have demonstrated need based on their FAFSA’s Student Aid Index (SAI) are eligible for additional funding from Academic Challenge. Students with an SAI of 8,000 or higher are not eligible for the additional funding. Students can find out more information and apply at sams.adhe.edu through the Student Application Management System (SAMS).
Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver (NGTW)
The National Guard Tuition Waiver (NGTW) will only be awarded for programs leading to an undergraduate degree up to a bachelor’s degree in a state-supported public two- or four-year institution within the State of Arkansas. Guardsmen cannot have previously been awarded a bachelor’s degree. NGTW will cover tuition for all approved courses and mandatory institution fees. Each Guardsman is responsible for other costs, such as non-mandatory fees, room and board, textbooks, parking permits, etc.
The NGTW Program is open to all enlisted and officer personnel of the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard who have not previously been awarded a bachelor’s degree, are residents of the State of Arkansas, are in “Good Standing” with their unit, and who have completed Initial Active Duty Training (Basic Training or had the Basic Training requirement waived by the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). The Guardsman must be enrolled in an Arkansas state-supported public institution and in a degree-seeking program. Guardsmen who have been deployed or discharged may have a continuation of elibigility (see Subpart 3. Administration 6 CAR § 530-304. Continuation of eligibility).
Guardsmen will apply for NGTW through the National Guard Education office or their commanding officer.
Student can find out more information and apply at Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver (NGTW) website.
Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship
The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship is a non-refundable grant providing a scholarship for workforce training in high demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs, but can also include non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit criteria. Students can find out more information and apply by using the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a student financial aid program designed to assist students in their postsecondary education. Its purpose is to provide eligible students with a “foundation” of financial aid to help defray the costs of their education. All undergraduate students are eligible to apply for Pell Grant assistance. Student eligibility is based on financial need and is determined by a formula applied consistently to all applicants. The formula is developed by the U. S. Department of Education and Congress. Students may receive a Pell Grant until they have completed their first undergraduate program of study or until they have received 600% of their lifetime eligibility allowed (the equivalent of six full-time years). These grants are to be used for educational purposes. Students can apply at studentaid.gov/fafsa through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunities Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (FSEOG) is a student financial aid program that assists undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. In order for student to receive FSEOG, they must qualify for Pell Grant and have the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The availability of these funds vary by institutions. Funds are limited, so not all students will be able to receive this Grant. Student are encouraged to apply for the FAFSA and submit all needed documents to the Financial Aid Office to have the best opportunity to receive these funds.
Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work Study Program is designed to allow a limited number of students to meet their cost of attendance through part-time work. Selection is based upon need that is established through the need analysis process in effect during the academic year in question. Students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov/fafsa may apply for Federal Work Study Program. Qualified students are encouraged to check job availability on the Student Resources section in Workday under the title Find Jobs for Students.
Other forms of state aid can be reviewed using the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).