Scholarships provided by

Arkansas Department of Higher Education

 

 

·       Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship)

·       Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program

·       Higher Education Opportunities Grant (GO! Grant)

·       Arkansas Health Education Grant

·       Law Enforcement Officers Dependents’ Scholarship

·       Military Dependents’ Scholarship

·       Nursing Student Loan Program

·       Second Effort Scholarship Program

·       State Teacher Education Program

·       Teacher Opportunity Program

·       Workforce Improvement Program

 

To apply for any of these, students complete one application – the YOUniversal application.  This application is online at www.adhe.edu.  The application is open to current seniors from January 1, 2012 through June 1, 2012.  Arkansas Department of Higher Education will award any and all scholarships/programs that the applicant is eligible to receive—the applicant does not have to specify.  If you meet the qualifications for one, two, or more of these programs, and funds are available, the award(s) will be offered to you.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Go to www.adhe.edu.  There is no paper application. 

1.    On the home page, click on the blue and green YOUniveral application box. 

2.   On the next screen, click on New Users – Search Now.

3.   Begin your Financial Aid Search by answering questions designed to determine what programs/scholarships you are eligible for.

4.   Create an ADHE account.

5.   Complete the profile and the application, review, and when you are satisfied everything is correct, submit your application. 

 

You will receive a confirmation on screen that your information has been received and ADHE will also confirm that the application was received via e-mail.  (All correspondence from ADHE will be conducted via e-mail).  In addition, students can access their ADHE account at any time by logging on with their user name and password, and find up-to-date information about the status of their application. 

 

 

 

The programs/scholarships that are most frequently given to high school seniors are described below: 

 

1.   Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship)

For traditional students (high school seniors who will graduate and enter college in the fall)

a.   Seniors must have completed the Arkansas Smart Core Curriculum, and have EITHER a 2.5 cumulative GPA OR an ACT composite of 19 or higher;            OR

b.   Seniors who have NOT taken the Arkansas Smart Core Curriculum must have BOTH a 2.5 cumulative GPA AND an ACT composite of 19 or higher.

c.   If attending a 4-year college or university, the amount per year is $4,500; 2-year college or technical school, the amount per year is $2,250.  This scholarship is renewable for four years, if students maintain a 2.5 GPA in college, and earn at least 30 hours per year (27 for the freshman year).

 

When to apply:  The YOUniveral application for high school seniors will open on January 1, 2012, and close on June 1, 2012. 

 

Awards will be made, beginning in the spring and throughout the summer, prior to fall enrollment.  Students will receive notification of their award via e-mail, and then must log on to their ADHE account and accept the award.  The funds will be sent in the student’s name to the college or university they attend in the fall. 

 

2.  Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program

a.    Arkansas Governor’s Scholars – for a high school senior who has an ACT composite of at least 27 OR a cumulative GPA of 3.5.  This scholarship is awarded to 75 seniors (one per Arkansas county) for outstanding academic achievement and leadership.  The amount of the scholarship is $4,000, and this may be combined with the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for a total amount of $8,500.

 

b.   Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholars – for a senior who has an ACT composite of 32 or above AND a 3.5 cumulative GPA OR is a National Merit Finalist or a National Achievement Finalist.  A maximum of 300 scholarships will be awarded each year.  The amount of the scholarship is $10,000, and it may not be combined with the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for the Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program is FEBRUARY 1, 2012.  You can file your application between January 1 and February 1, 2012 (one month window).  After that date, your application will be considered for Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship but NOT Governor’s Scholars.

3.     GO! Grant –

This grant is awarded to seniors who have financial need and will be eligible for federal grant money, as well.  The amount of the GO! Grant is $1,000 per year.  To receive federal and/or state grants, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  To complete the FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.  One caution:  State grant money is limited, so those who apply earliest are more likely to get the money.  Once funds are depleted, no more state grants can be awarded for the school year. 

 

 

For more information, visit www.adhe.edu, or contact ADHE’s financial aid division at 800-54STUDY or 501-371-2050.