Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Reimburses Arkansas teachers and administrators up to $3,000 a year for up to six college credit hours related to their job.
- How much
- Up to $3,000 per year
- Who qualifies
- Licensed Arkansas classroom teacher or administrator
- Bona fide Arkansas resident 12 months before the deadline; current Arkansas teacher/administrator license; employed as a teacher or administrator in Arkansas; enrolled at an approved Arkansas institution in job-related courses; 2.5 GPA in the funded courses.
- For grad students, undergrads, adults going back to school
- For education students
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- When to apply
- Open now · due July 1, 2027 Annual; opens Oct 1, priority deadline June 1, final deadline July 1 (documents by July 15)
- How to apply
- Apply in your SAMS account (opens October 1)
- Priority deadline June 1 (documents postmarked by June 1)
- Final deadline July 1 (documents postmarked by July 15): college transcript, itemized statement of charges, paid receipt, and syllabus if claiming books
- What you'll need
- state application + transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (sams.adhe.edu) and page 2
The details
Reimburses out-of-pocket tuition, mandatory fees, books and required supplies paid for up to 6 college credit hours completed per academic year (summer, fall, spring), up to the lesser of $3,000 or the highest public-institution tuition and fees in Arkansas. Payments made with scholarships, grants, or third-party aid are not reimbursed. Funds go directly to the applicant. Priority, if needed, for courses in science, technology, engineering, math, computer science, literacy/reading, pre-K, or special education. Reapply every year. The ACCESS Act changes it to a scholarship (not reimbursement) covering dual licensure and additional training, expected for Fall 2026.
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
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.