State & Federal Grants
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
Rules not yet finalized by ADHE, but this will be a “bump” for students demonstrating financial need, as indicated by the FAFSA. The “bump” will be scaled in increments of $1,000 annually, according to the level of need indicated. Stay tuned to sams.adhe.edu for more information.
Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship
Students do not need to apply for this program. The Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship will award eligible high school students $125 per course for up to two concurrent credit courses per semester. An applicant must be a high school student classified as a sophomore, junior or senior, be an Arkansas resident or, if the student is less than twenty-one years of age, either the student or one parent of the student is an Arkansas resident, be enrolled in an endorsed concurrent course or certificate program, provide proof that a completed student success plan has been submitted to the student’s high school or home school, not enrolled in a vocation center where the student’s enrollment is reimbursable, meet all established requirements for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses set by the Division of Higher Education. Students receiving this scholarship are usually in attendance at a public high school that provides a portion of the cost of tuition as this is an eligibility requirement. Students can find out more information at the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).
Arkansas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (NGTA)
This program is replacing the former GTIP program. Students are not able eligible for this funding if they are receiving the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. All current National Guard Soldiers who are Arkansas residents, complete basic training, do not already hold a bachelor or higher degree, are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an Arkansas public intuition of higher education, and are not currently flagged for serious misconduct should be eligible. This waiver covers tuition and mandatory fees only. Students interested in this program that plan to pursue other forms of aid available to Veterans, should check with the Financial Aid Office to see how these programs work together. 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 Federal Work Study Program web page of the UACCM website.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) Program
Like other grants, IASG provides money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, IASG includes special eligibility criteria. Students may be eligible to receive the IASG if: They are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of their EFC, but meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and they were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of their parent or guardian’s death.
Students apply by submitting a FAFSA form and all needed documentation to the Financial Aid Office. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed the institution’s cost of attendance for the award year. Sequestration, as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011, may also affect award amounts for this Grant. Once students have earned a Bachelor degree, their first professional degree, or have used up all 12 semesters of eligibility, they will no longer be eligible to receive the IASG.
Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
In certain situations, students may be eligible to receive benefits from the Veteran Readiness & Employment program. Services include help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. To learn more visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VR&E website.
Other forms of state aid can be reviewed using the Student Application Management Systems (SAMS).