Arkansas Financial Aid
State grants, eligibility, deadlines, and strategies for Arkansas students
Arkansas's primary state scholarship is the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, a lottery-funded program that provides merit-based aid to Arkansas students. The state also offers need-based grants for students at both public and private institutions.
Arkansas grant programs
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
HybridUp to $5,000/year at four-year institutions; up to $2,500/year at two-year institutions
Eligibility
- Arkansas resident
- Recent high school graduate or current college student
- Minimum 19 ACT composite (or equivalent SAT)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- File the FAFSA and complete the scholarship application
Deadline: June 1 for the fall semester (apply online through YOUniversal)
Official info →Tips for maximising Arkansas aid
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship requires a separate application through the YOUniversal portal — filing the FAFSA alone is not enough.
Current college students can also apply for the Academic Challenge Scholarship — it's not just for incoming freshmen.
Arkansas's public university tuition is relatively low nationally — combining the Academic Challenge Scholarship with federal Pell Grants can make attendance very affordable.
Educational guide only. State aid programs, amounts, and deadlines change annually. Always verify current information directly with Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) and your college's financial aid office before making decisions.
Put this into action
Find colleges in Arkansas that fit your budget, or learn more about the FAFSA process.