Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Merit Scholarships at the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas (U of A) recognizes and rewards academic excellence through a variety of merit-based scholarships. These scholarships aim to support students with strong academic records, leadership potential, and other outstanding qualities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the merit scholarship opportunities available at the U of A, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and renewal criteria.

Merit Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

A number of academic scholarships are awarded to entering freshmen based on a range of qualifications. The selection criteria may include national test scores (ACT or SAT), grade-point average, National Merit recognition, quality and quantity of courses taken, application materials, and other pertinent factors. For online information, go to scholarships.uark.edu.

Chancellor's Scholarship and General University Scholarships

These scholarships are generally awarded per academic year to cover the fall and spring terms, up to an eight-semester maximum for most students, or a ten-semester maximum for students in the Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programs, each of which is a five-year program. Eligibility for renewal of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and general university scholarships is determined at the end of the second semester each award year. The priority scholarship deadline for entering freshmen is November 15.

Endowed Fellowships

The University of Arkansas offers approximately 90 endowed fellowships per year. The fellowships are given in one of four different programs: Honors College Fellowships, established in 2002; Bodenhamer Fellowships, established in 1998; Sturgis Fellowships, established in 1985; and Boyer Fellowships, established in 2000. The endowed fellowships are among the most competitive in the nation and are awarded to the top 1-2 percent of students.

To be considered for these fellowships, students must apply for admission along with the Honors College Fellowship application (honorscollege.uark.edu).

Renewal criteria for Endowed Fellowships:

Cumulative 3.00 GPA and 27 hours earned by the end of the second semester of each academic year.
30 hours earned in each subsequent academic year.
Renewable for 4 years or 8 semesters total.

Academic Scholarship Selection Criteria

Selection criteria may include national test scores (ACT or SAT), grade-point average, National Merit recognition, quality and quantity of courses taken, application materials, and other pertinent factors.

Specific Scholarship Examples Based on Achievement

National Merit Finalists: Exceptional academic performance is considered.
National Merit Semifinalists and Semifinalists: They are also considered.
Top Applicants: Those from the applicant pool with a minimum 27 ACT and 3.50 GPA.

Scholarships Based on Demonstrated Qualities

Several scholarships target students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and/or leadership potential. Factors such as first-generation student status, demonstrated financial need, and geographic representation of Arkansas communities may also be considered.

Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students

The University of Arkansas also offers scholarships specifically for transfer students, recognizing their prior academic achievements and potential for success.

Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) Academic All-Star Program

Transfer student scholarships are awarded to students transferring from two-year colleges in Arkansas in conjunction with the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges’ (AATYC) Academic All-Star program. Nominations are submitted to the AATYC and recognized at their annual conference.

AATYC Academic All-Star Award

AATYC Academic All Star receives annual award that pays tuition and tuition related fees up to $5,000 per semester. Students nominated as AATYC Academic All Star by their two-year college. Scholarship application is not required. Maintain 2.75 cumulative U of A GPA after each semester. Renewable up to five semesters. Arkansas residents with strong academic performance at Arkansas two-year colleges.

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Eligibility: Arkansas residents with strong academic performance at Arkansas two-year colleges who are nominated as AATYC Academic All-Stars by their two-year college.
Award: Annual award that pays tuition and tuition related fees up to $5,000 per semester.
Renewal Criteria: Maintain a 2.75 cumulative U of A GPA after each semester. Renewable for up to five semesters.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships

Awarded to top applicants from two-year colleges who are members of Phi Theta Kappa.

Award: $2,000 per year.
Renewal Criteria: Cumulative 2.75 GPA and 24 hours per year of eligibility.
Deadlines: April 1 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester.

Additional Transfer Student Scholarships

Additional transfer student scholarships are also available.

Eligibility: Strong academic performance at another 2-year or 4-year college or university.
Renewal Criteria: Cumulative 2.75 GPA and 24 hours per year of eligibility.

General Scholarship Information

Application Process

To be considered for most merit scholarships at the University of Arkansas, students must apply for admission. Some scholarships may require a separate scholarship application, while others do not. It is important to carefully review the requirements for each scholarship of interest.

Application Deadlines

November 15 is the priority scholarship deadline for entering freshmen. The Prestigious Scholarship deadline for Fall 2026 is Jan. 12, 2026. For Honors Scholarship candidates, the preferred deadline is Nov. The application deadline is Feb. 1 of the year of high school graduation.

Renewal Requirements

Eligibility for renewal of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and general university scholarships is determined at the end of the second semester each award year. These scholarships are generally awarded per academic year to cover the fall and spring terms, up to an eight-semester maximum for most students, or a ten-semester maximum for students in the Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programs, each of which is a five-year program.

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Minimum GPA and Credit Hour Requirements

Many scholarships require a minimum cumulative GPA and a certain number of credit hours earned each year. For example, some endowed fellowships require a cumulative 3.00 GPA and 27 hours earned by the end of the second semester of each academic year, and 30 hours earned in each subsequent academic year.

Institutional Scholarships

Institutional scholarships are intended to cover University charges. Institutional scholarships for incoming freshmen do not have separate applications to complete, except our mentored programs.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Partial out-of-state tuition differential: Variable amount based on hours enrolled. No scholarship application is required. Renewable with completion of 24 hours per academic year and 2.75 minimum GPA.
First Bank Corp.: Admission and a scholarship application is required.

Arkansas Academic Challenge Award

An academically rigorous award program offered by ADHE to Arkansas residents pursuing higher education.

Do I have to apply every year? No.
renew as long as you meet the renewal criteria.

Arkansas Academic Challenge Award Amounts and hour criteria (Four-Year College)

Year 1 - $1,000 - 12 Fall hours. 15 Spring hours.
Year 2 - $4,000 - 15 Fall hours. 15 Spring hours.
Year 3 - $4,000 - 15 Fall hours.
who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. disabled. Scholarship funds are administered at the local level.

Other Scholarship Programs

Students must be working toward a minimum of an associate degree.
licenses may contact the Choctaw Nation Career Development Program.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

Credit Hour Requirements

To maintain scholarship eligibility, students are generally required to complete a certain number of credit hours each semester and academic year. For example, some scholarships require students to enroll in 15 credit hours each semester and earn 30 credit hours per year. Students may make up the hours in the summer term.

Grade Point Average

Maintaining a satisfactory GPA is crucial for scholarship renewal. Many scholarships require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.00.

Housing Considerations

Some scholarships may have specific requirements related to on-campus housing. For example, students may forfeit the entire housing portion of their scholarship if they do not live on campus or if they break their housing contracts. The housing application must be completed and turned in by March 15.

Impact of Changing Majors

Changing majors could result in a loss of awards.

UA Little Rock Grants

Awarded to students with exceptional financial need as funds are available.

2025-2026 FAFSA must be completed by July 1st.
Award amounts vary.

P.A.R.K. Scholarship

Awarded to students that complete the P.A.R.K. Program.

A letter must be submitted by P.A.R.K.

Key Considerations for Prospective Students

Apply Early: Students are encouraged to apply early for admission to UAFS.
Meet Deadlines: Ensure all application materials, including admission applications and scholarship applications, are received by the specified deadlines.
Review Requirements: Carefully review the eligibility requirements, application process, and renewal criteria for each scholarship of interest.
Maintain Academic Excellence: Focus on maintaining a strong GPA and completing the required number of credit hours each semester and academic year.

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