Arkansas scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Arkansas runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Show service scholarships (1) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship
Up to $3,000 per program (up to $1,500 for 80-179 clock-hour programs)Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Apply any timeUp to $3,000 per program for workforce training in manufacturing, construction trades, healthcare, IT, or logistics, for Arkansans not receiving Academic Challenge.
- What it takes: state application
- For trade school students, adults going back to school, students starting college, undergrads
- For advanced manufacturing, construction trades, health care students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Governor's Scholars Program - Distinguished Scholars
Up to $10,000 per academic year for 4 years ($40,000 total)Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due March 1, 2027Arkansas'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.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3.5+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or the student or a parent holds an Employment Authorization Document)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Washington Center Scholarship
Up to $6,000 (one-time)Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Check datesUp to $6,000 for Arkansas college students accepted to The Washington Center internship program in Washington, D.C.
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads
- Needs a 2.75+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
Year 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 totalArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due July 1, 2027Arkansas's lottery-funded scholarship: $2,000 the first year rising to $5,000 in the fourth year at a four-year college, with extra 'Challenge PLUS' money for students with a Student Aid Index under 8,000.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Governor's Scholars Program - Achievement Scholars
Up to $5,000 per academic year for 4 years ($20,000 total)Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due July 1, 2027Up to $5,000 a year for four years ($20,000) for Arkansas seniors graduating with a Diploma of Distinction or an associate degree, or the top student in a county without a Distinguished Scholar.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or the student or a parent holds an Employment Authorization Document)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Up to $4,000 (spring-summer or spring-fall) or $2,750 (spring only), incl. student stipend up to $1,250Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due November 1, 2026Up to $4,000 for Arkansas college students to do a faculty-mentored research project, including a student stipend of up to $1,250.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + recommendation + essay
- For undergrads
- Needs a 3.25+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture)
Tuition and general mandatory feesArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due January 10, 2027Covers tuition and mandatory fees for STEM and high-demand certificate and associate degree programs at Arkansas public colleges, first come, first served.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
- For STEM, state or regional high-demand fields students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Health Education Grant (ARHEG)
Varies by field; FY 2025-26 SREB contract fee per student: $10,000 (chiropractic) to $36,962 (veterinary)Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due July 1, 2027Helps Arkansans attend out-of-state dental, optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, and veterinary schools by paying part of their tuition through state contracts.
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students
- For dentistry, chiropractic medicine, optometry students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
Up to $3,000 per yearArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Open now · due July 1, 2027Reimburses Arkansas teachers and administrators up to $3,000 a year for up to six college credit hours related to their job.
- Who it's for: Licensed Arkansas classroom teacher or administrator
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For grad students, undergrads, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- For education students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver
Tuition and mandatory feesArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Apply any timeCovers tuition and mandatory fees at Arkansas public colleges for Arkansas Army and Air National Guard members working toward their first bachelor's degree.
- Who it's for: Arkansas Army or Air National Guard member (enlisted or officer) in good standing
- What it takes: membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Tuition Waiver for Students 60 and Older
Tuition (general student fees) waived; other fees vary by collegeArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Apply any timeArkansas residents 60 or older can take credit courses at Arkansas public colleges without paying tuition/general student fees, on a space-available basis.
- Who it's for: Age 60 or older
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship
Maximum of $2,500 per eligible semesterArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due January 10, 2027Up to $2,500 per semester for Arkansas students with intellectual disabilities in an accredited college transition program.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Arkansas Heroes Scholarship
In-state tuition, housing and mandatory fees at eligible Arkansas institutionsArkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
Due July 1, 2027Covers 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.
- Who it's for: 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
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.