State Programs
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADHE) provides scholarship and grant funds to Arkansas residents pursuing a higher education. It is simple to apply for each of them through one application. The Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS) allows you to apply for state financial aid opportunities, such as the Academic Challenge (Lottery) Scholarship, the Governor's Distinguished Scholars Program, and more .
Have you heard the term the Lottery Scholarship, the Challenge, the Academic Challenge? They all mean the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
The Academic Challenge program provides scholarships to Arkansas residents pursuing a higher education. This program is primarily funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and is available to students regardless of their academic status. More information regarding this particular scholarship program may be found here.
How do I apply if I am an Arkansas resident?
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Complete a SAMS application and provide the required documents.
- Deadline for the SAMS application is July 1st (for most programs, please check the individual program deadline here) for the following school year.
- Renewal eligibility requires ADHE to receive and review annual transcripts of coursework.
- The University of Arkansas will send a copy of your University of Arkansas transcript to ADHE at the end of the spring semester.
- Transcripts including summer coursework and coursework from other institutions will need to be sent to ADHE by you.
Governor's Distinguished Scholarship Program
The Governor's Distinguished Scholarship Program is the most academically rigorous scholarship program offered for selected graduating seniors in Arkansas and provides up to $10,000 annually towards tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board. The deadline to apply is March 1st for the following school year. Complete program details may be found here.
More Information on ADHE Scholarships and Programs