Arkansas State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
- Out-of-state tuition waivers and regional reciprocity
- Honors College perks and key application deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~77%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20–26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1020–1240
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.4–3.9
Source: Arkansas State University Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Arkansas State University at a Glance
Last verified: October 18, 2025
Arkansas State University (A-State) offers strong automatic merit for both in-state and out-of-state students—plus competitive scholarships that can cover full tuition or even housing. The university’s Border State Waiver makes it a regional value for students across the South and Midwest.
With guaranteed academic scholarships, an ACT/SAT-required admissions policy with superscoring, and access to the Honors College, A-State provides a cost-friendly path for high-achieving students who want a research university experience without the flagship price tag.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — A-State requires ACT or SAT scores for freshman admission and accepts superscoring.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20–26; SAT: 1020–1240 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $13,085/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — A-State offers the Border State Waiver for residents of TX, TN, MS, LA, MO, and OK to pay in-state tuition rates.
https://www.astate.edu/a/recruitment/admissions-requirements/
https://catalog.astate.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=232
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/
https://www.astate.edu/college/honors-college/scholarships/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?106458-Arkansas-State-University-Main-Campus=
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/astate-excellence-scholarship.dot
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/astate-scholar-scholarship.dot
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/_scholarship-information.dot
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/privately-funded-scholarships.dot
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/#mileage-waiver
💰 Cost of Attendance at Arkansas State University
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,430 | $18,740 |
| Housing & Meals (Residence Hall) | $11,950 | $11,950 |
| Total (before aid) | $22,380 | $30,690 |
Note: This table shows only charges billed directly by the university (tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals). Other expenses such as books & supplies (~$1,250), transportation (~$3,570), and personal/miscellaneous (~$2,790) vary by student and are not paid directly to the college, so they’re excluded here for clarity.
- Out-of-State Scholarship: ACT 24+ (1160 SAT) and 3.0 GPA → waives the $8,310 non-resident fee.
- Mileage Waiver: Automatic for residents of LA, MS, MO, OK, TN, TX → in-state tuition rate.
- Academic Common Market: For certain majors if not offered in your state → in-state tuition rate. For more information, check out our plain english guide to ACM
Example: An out-of-state student’s billed total is about $30,690. With the Out-of-State Scholarship waiving the $8,310 non-resident fee, the billed total drops to approximately $22,380 — the same as the in-state amount.
Cost & Waiver FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition if I live out of state?
Students from border states (LA, MS, MO, OK, TN, TX) automatically qualify. Others can qualify with a 24 ACT/1160 SAT and 3.0 GPA,
or through the Academic Common Market for certain majors.
How much can my family really save?
Roughly $8,310 per year in tuition and fees if you receive the Out-of-State Scholarship.
Additional savings may apply via the Mileage Waiver or ACM, depending on eligibility.
Do we need a separate application?
The Out-of-State Scholarship and Mileage Waiver apply automatically once your student meets the criteria.
The Academic Common Market requires an application through your state’s coordinator.
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/tuition-fees/_cost-of-attendance/
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/tuition-fees/
https://www.asusystem.edu/headlines/asu-system-board-of-trustees-approves-budgets-tuition-for-fy2026
https://www.astate.edu/dA/ee462af28f/University%20Housing%20Rate%20Sheet%202025-26.pdf
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/scholarships/
https://www.astate.edu/a/registrar/students/residency/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?106458-Arkansas-State-University-Main-Campus=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Arkansas State University offers both automatic scholarships and a limited set of competitive awards based on GPA and ACT/SAT superscores. There’s no extra scholarship application for most—students are automatically reviewed upon admission and submission of all required academic records. All scholarships are renewable for 8 semesters with ongoing GPA and credit completion.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-State Scholar | Up to $18,000/yr | ACT 31+ or SAT 1400+ and 3.5 GPA | Yes (competitive app, due Feb 1) | Yes (3.5 GPA, 30 hours/year, 1 Honors course/term) | Top academic students, competitive process (with essays & recs) | Feb 1 |
| A-State Trailblazer | Up to $10,000/yr | ACT 28+ or SAT 1300+ and 3.5 GPA | No | Yes (3.5 GPA, 15 hours/term) | Strong B+/A- students, Honors consideration, no extra app | Feb 1 |
| A-State Inspire | $5,500/yr | ACT 25+ or SAT 1210+ and 3.5 GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA, 15 hrs/term) | Students with strong GPA and ACT/SAT, no extra app | July 1 |
| A-State Enrichment | $4,000/yr | ACT 21–24 or SAT 1060–1209 and 3.0 GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA, 15 hrs/term) | Mid-20s ACT scores, solid 3.0+ GPA | July 1 |
| A-State Endeavor | $4,000/yr | ACT 19–20 or SAT 990–1050 and 3.5 GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA, 15 hrs/term) | Students stronger in coursework than tests | July 1 |
| Out-of-State Scholarship | Waives out-of-state fee (~$8,310) | Nonresident; ACT 24+ or SAT 1160+ and 3.0 GPA | No | Yes (full-time) | Out-of-state with mid-20s ACT/SAT | July 1 |
| Mileage Waiver | Waives out-of-state fee (~$8,310) | Residents of LA, MS, MO, OK, TN, TX | No | Yes (full-time) | Border state residents admitted for fall | July 1 |
A-STATE uses ACT/SAT superscores for scholarship eligibility. The A-State Scholar and Trailblazer have additional deadlines and/or application components—see their pages for details. Some awards cannot be stacked with others; read the scholarship guide for rules.
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/scholarships/
https://astate.academicworks.com/
https://astate.edu/info/admissions/scholarships/
https://astate.edu/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
While many Arkansas State scholarships are automatic, a few highly selective programs offer much larger benefits for top applicants. These require essays, recommendations, and additional applications—and are only offered to a limited number of students each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-State Scholar | Up to $18,000/yr (tuition, housing, meals) | ACT 31+ or SAT 1400+, 3.5 GPA, US citizen, HS grad | Yes—application, essay, resume, 2 rec letters | Yes (3.5 GPA, 30 credit hrs/year, 1 Honors course/term) | Top scholars with academic, leadership, & service distinction | Feb 1 |
Note: These competitive awards cannot be stacked with other institutional scholarships. Recipients are typically among the most academically accomplished, with significant leadership, AP/IB coursework, and service.
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Who gets these? The very top ~10–20 students in each incoming class for A-State Scholar, and a larger group for Trailblazer are selected based on a holistic review of leadership, rigor, and service.
Is everything covered? No—award values get close to full cost of attendance but may not cover every expense.
Can they be stacked? No—they replace other institutional merit awards.
When to apply? Complete admissions (and Scholar application) by Feb 1. Trailblazer candidates must “accept” in their MyDen portal after award notification in March.
https://www.astate.edu/a/finaid/scholarships/
https://astate.edu/info/admissions/scholarships/
https://astate.edu/
🎖️ Honors College
For high-achieving students, the Honors College at Arkansas State University offers a smaller community within the larger campus. It’s designed to give undergraduates more challenge, closer faculty mentorship, and the kinds of experiences—like research and thesis projects—that prepare them for graduate school or competitive careers.
ACT 28+ (1300 SAT*) and a 3.5+ GPA, with a transcript full of rigorous coursework, leadership roles in clubs or service, and a genuine curiosity for research or creative projects.
*Estimate based on published admission markers
- Priority class registration each semester
- Access to small, discussion-based Honors seminars
- Dedicated Honors housing in the Living-Learning Community
- Funding opportunities for research, travel, and study abroad
- Thesis option that helps with grad school or professional prep
Honors-Specific Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Honors Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000/yr | High-achieving incoming freshmen with ACT/SAT and GPA similar to Scholar-level requirements; must enroll and stay in Honors College | Yes (Honors application) | Yes (must remain in Honors and complete requirements) | Students admitted to Honors who meet top academic thresholds but don’t receive the full A-State Scholar award |
| Honors Experience Grants (HEG) | Up to $1,000/yr | All Honors College students; supports research, study abroad, internships, or conferences | Yes (proposal required) | No (one-time activity-based) | Engaged Honors students pursuing experiences beyond the classroom |
| Hoeper Family Honors Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000 | Honors student; preference for out-of-state students with high ACT scores; financial need considered | Yes (Honors donor scholarship application) | Varies | Out-of-state Honors students with strong academics and demonstrated need |
| Shelby Rhodes Honors Scholarship | $1,000 (one-time) | Junior or senior Honors students with leadership, campus involvement, and strong academics | Yes (Honors donor scholarship application) | No | Upper-division Honors students recognized for service and leadership |
| Honors Donor Scholarships | $500–$2,000 | Active Honors students; criteria vary by donor (major, GPA, service) | Yes (Honors application; deadline often Feb 1) | Some renewable | Honors students who match donor requirements and stay engaged in the program |
Note: Award amounts are based on recent A-State Honors listings; they may vary year to year depending on donor funding and applicant pool.
Honors College FAQs
Is Honors admission automatic?
No. While high-achieving students are flagged during admission review, you must confirm interest and meet GPA/test benchmarks.
Does Honors add time to my degree?
Not if planned correctly. The senior thesis is built to be completed within your major, so Honors does not extend graduation.
When should my student apply?
As early as possible after admission. For top scholarships, most applications are due by February 1 each year.
Is there extra funding for Honors students?
Yes. Experience Grants and donor scholarships provide additional support for research, travel, and enrichment beyond the classroom.
📎 Official Links
⭐ College Specialty
Arkansas State University may not be as large as some flagship schools, but it has carved out a reputation for practical, career-focused programs that serve both Arkansas and the wider region. Parents often find that A-State offers strong pipelines into health care, emergency management, and bioscience fields—areas where employers are actively hiring. It’s also a teaching-focused public university (not R1), which means undergraduates often get more faculty interaction and hands-on opportunities earlier in their studies.
- Biosciences Research: Home to the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, a statewide agricultural and medical research hub that provides undergraduates with hands-on lab access.
- Emergency Management: Among the first universities nationwide to offer a bachelor’s degree in Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management, with alumni working in FEMA and state agencies.
- Engineering & Robotics: A growing College of Engineering & Computer Science with labs in robotics and advanced manufacturing, connecting students to regional industry pipelines.
- Business & Agriculture: Well-established programs in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship that support Arkansas’s largest economic sectors.