Arkansas Heroes Scholarship
Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Covers in-state tuition, on-campus housing and mandatory fees for spouses and children of Arkansans killed, missing, captured or totally disabled in military service or in the line of duty as police, firefighters and other public safety workers or teachers.
- How much
- In-state tuition, housing and mandatory fees at eligible Arkansas institutions
- Who qualifies
- Spouse or dependent child (under 26) of an Arkansan killed, MIA, POW, Medal of Honor/Purple Heart recipient, or 100% permanently disabled in military service, or killed/permanently disabled in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, forester, corrections, transportation, state park, EMT or Community Punishment employee, or teacher
- Legal Arkansas resident for at least 1 year before applying; biological child, stepchild, adopted child (adopted before the death/disability) or spouse; spouse loses eligibility on remarriage; dependent children must be under 26.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- When to apply
- Due July 1, 2027 Annual; July 1
- How to apply
- Apply in your SAMS account at sams.adhe.edu by July 1 and submit documents: death certificate or casualty report/DD214, VA 100% disability documentation and DEA/Chapter 35 application and benefits statement (military
- VA application by June 15), or the Arkansas State Claims Commission order (line of duty)
- Plus birth certificate, marriage license, or adoption papers as applicable
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 21, 2026, against the official page (sams.adhe.edu) and page 2
The details
Eight-semester scholarship for undergraduates seeking a bachelor's degree at any approved public or private Arkansas institution. Covers in-state tuition, housing and mandatory fees (not books, parking, dorm damages or utilities); institutions are reimbursed after verifying full-time enrollment (up to 15 hours). Qualifying 'Arkansas Heroes': military members killed in action, missing in action, prisoners of war, killed on ordnance delivery, Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients, or 100% totally and permanently disabled through service; and law enforcement officers, full-time or volunteer firefighters, municipal/college police, sheriffs and deputies, constables, game wardens, certain Highway and Transportation Department employees, state forestry firefighters, certain corrections and state park employees, EMTs, Community Punishment employees, and teachers killed or totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty. For military dependents, the scholarship pays the unpaid balance of tuition, housing and fees after three months of federal DEA/Chapter 35 benefits are deducted. Renewal: 2.0 GPA and 24 semester hours per academic year. Ends after 8 semesters or a degree. Replaces the Military Dependents' Scholarship and the Law Enforcement Officers' Dependents Scholarship starting with the 2025 application cycle (for Fall 2026); adds DOD medical retirees and Medal of Honor and Purple Heart dependents.
More money from Arkansas
- Governor's Scholars Program - Distinguished ScholarsUp to $10,000 per academic year for 4 years ($40,000 total)
- 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
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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