Governor's Scholars Program - Distinguished Scholars
Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Arkansas's top merit award: up to $10,000 a year for four years ($40,000) for seniors with a 32 ACT (1410 SAT) and a 3.5 GPA.
- How much
- Up to $10,000 per academic year for 4 years ($40,000 total)
- Who qualifies
- Bona fide Arkansas resident for 12 months; graduating high school senior; ACT composite or superscore of 32 or SAT 1410 (single sitting) plus a 3.5 cumulative GPA; FAFSA required (not for EAD holders); full-time enrollment.
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or the student or a parent holds an Employment Authorization Document)
- When to apply
- Due March 1, 2027 Annual; March 1 of the senior year (qualifying scores by the end of February)
- How to apply
- Complete the FAFSA and apply in your SAMS account at sams.adhe.edu by March 1 of your senior year
- If you reach a 32 ACT after already applying for other programs, submit another application in SAMS to report the new score before the deadline
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application + test scores + transcript
- Last checked
- October 21, 2026, against the official page (sams.adhe.edu) and page 2
The details
Pays tuition, mandatory fees, room and board up to $10,000 per academic year for 4 years. Can be combined with the Academic Challenge Scholarship; the combined total is $10,000 per year (four-year college: Challenge $2,000/$4,000/$4,000/$5,000 plus Distinguished $8,000/$6,000/$6,000/$5,000; two-year college: $2,000+$8,000, $3,000+$7,000, 5th semester $1,000+$3,500). Renewal: 3.25 cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year; 27 hours the first year and 30 each year after; 15 hours per semester (12 the first semester) at one institution. ACT/SAT scores must be earned by the end of February (the National February ACT). Unused senior-year semesters can be used for graduate school (Arkansas or an eligible out-of-state program).
More money from Arkansas
- Arkansas Washington Center ScholarshipUp to $6,000 (one-time)
- Arkansas Academic Challenge ScholarshipYear 1 $2,000; Years 2-3 $4,000; Year 4 $5,000 at a four-year college (two-year: $2,000 / $3,000 / $1,500 5th semester); plus Challenge PLUS for SAI 7,999 or below, up to $2,500 per semester total
- Governor's Scholars Program - Achievement ScholarsUp to $5,000 per academic year for 4 years ($20,000 total)
- Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)Up to $4,000 (spring-summer or spring-fall) or $2,750 (spring only), incl. student stipend up to $1,250
- Arkansas Workforce Challenge ScholarshipUp to $3,000 per program (up to $1,500 for 80-179 clock-hour programs)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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