University of Arkansas at Little Rock Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to the College & University Scholarships hub • See Arkansas state aid
Last Updated on March 14, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive scholarship tiers
- Donaghey Scholars Honors Program (full tuition + housing)
- How to combine state aid with university awards
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~79%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20 – 26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1020 – 1240
- Average HS GPA: 3.6 (unweighted)
Source: University of Arkansas at Little Rock Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Arkansas at Little Rock at a Glance
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) offers a strong mix of automatic merit aid and competitive honors scholarships. Top students can earn large renewable awards just through GPA and test scores, and the renowned Donaghey Scholars Honors Program provides a true full ride with housing and stipends.
Use this guide to see which scholarships your student might qualify for and how to combine them with Arkansas state grants for the lowest possible net cost.
FAQ
Is UALR test-optional? Yes — students can qualify for merit awards based on GPA alone through 2026.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 20–26; SAT 1020–1240.
What’s the average net price? Around $11,225 after grants and scholarships (IPEDS 2024).
Does UALR offer reciprocity or waivers? Yes — students from six bordering states automatically receive in-state tuition rates.
https://ualr.edu/admissions/
https://ualr.edu/scholarships/freshmen/
https://ualr.edu/honors/donaghey/
https://ualr.edu/financialaid/
https://ualr.edu/bursar/tuitionandfees/
https://ualr.edu/housing/rates/
https://ualr.edu/admissions/instate/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107558-University-of-Arkansas-at-Little-Rock=
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Full-Time, 30 credit hours) | $10,185 | $23,605 |
| Housing & Meals (Standard On-Campus Plan) | $7,606 | $7,606 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $17,791 | $31,211 |
Note: Books & supplies (~$1,800), transportation (varies), and personal/miscellaneous expenses are not paid directly to UA Little Rock and therefore are not included in the totals above. These are indirect costs used for financial aid budgeting but do not appear on the student’s university bill.
- Contiguous States Waiver: Residents of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma automatically qualify for in-state tuition rates. This lowers non-resident tuition from $22,870 down to the $10,185 in-state level.
- Academic Common Market (ACM): Through the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market, students from participating states can pay in-state rates for approved majors not offered at home. Application required through your state higher-ed office.
Cost & Aid FAQ
Do tuition rates differ by residency?
Yes — Arkansas residents pay around $10,185 per year, while non-residents pay approximately $23,605 before waivers or aid.
Are books and personal costs included?
No. These are indirect costs, meaning they’re estimated for financial aid purposes but not billed by the university.
Can out-of-state students qualify for in-state rates?
Yes. Students from six neighboring states qualify automatically under UA Little Rock’s regional tuition policy.
https://ualr.edu/bursar/tuitionandfees/
https://ualr.edu/financialaid/undergrad/coa/
https://ualr.edu/housing/rates/
https://ualr.edu/admissions/instate/
https://ualr.edu/scholarships/freshmen/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107558-University-of-Arkansas-at-Little-Rock=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Off Scholarship | Covers 50% of in-state tuition & fees (up to $5,000 for the year) | Enrolled full-time, first-time freshman, AR resident; not already receiving $5,000+ in other institutional aid | No (automatic with admission) | Yes (renewable for sophomore year with 12+ credits/semester and Satisfactory Academic Progress) | First-year AR residents who complete admission/enrollment steps by start of term | Rolling, by enrollment |
| Chancellor’s Academic Distinction | $10,000 total ($2,500/year) | 4.0 GPA + ACT 20 / SAT 1030; AR or contiguous state resident | No | Yes (3.0 GPA & full-time credits) | Students with a perfect GPA and solid test score | Priority Feb 1 / Final July 1 |
| Provost’s Academic Excellence | $8,000 total ($4,000 tuition + $4,000 housing) | 3.75 GPA + ACT 20 / SAT 1030 | No | Yes | Strong GPA students who meet test minimums | Priority Feb 1 / Final July 1 |
| Deans’ Academic Merit | $6,000 total ($4,000 tuition + $2,000 housing) | 3.5 GPA + ACT 20 / SAT 1030 | No | Yes | Competitive 3.5–3.74 GPA students with test minimums | Priority Feb 1 / Final July 1 |
| UA Little Rock Academic Achievement | $4,000 total ($3,000 tuition + $1,000 housing) | 3.25 GPA + ACT 20 / SAT 1030 | No | Yes | Solid B+ students above cutoff | Priority Feb 1 / Final July 1 |
| Freshman Award | $2,000 | 3.0 GPA + ACT 20 / SAT 1030 | No | Yes | Typical students meeting minimums | Priority Feb 1 / Final July 1 |
Cutoffs reflect published UA Little Rock awards. Actual thresholds, renewability details, and stacking eligibility may change based on funding or updated university policy.
Do I need a separate application? No — these awards are automatic as part of your admission file, including the new Half-Off Scholarship.
Does UA Little Rock superscore? Yes, your highest ACT/SAT section scores across test dates are used for scholarship review.
Can I stack these awards? Only one academic (merit) scholarship can be combined with certain programmatic awards. The Donaghey Scholars Program and Half-Off Scholarship cannot be stacked with other institutional academic awards.
ualr.edu/scholarships/
ualr.edu/admissions/cost-financial-aid/
ualr.edu/catalog/academic-policies/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards require extra steps (an application, essays, interviews, or verified leadership/service). They’re selective and limited, but very achievable for students who prepare early.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) | $6,000/yr total ($3,000 tuition/fees + $3,000 on-campus housing) | First-time freshmen with leadership & service; typically 3.0+ HS GPA and ACT 19+ (or approved placement). On-campus living required first year. | Yes — UA Little Rock Scholarship Application | Yes — requires program participation and good standing | Students with documented leadership, consistent service hours, strong recommendations, and an interview; must commit to CLC activities | April 1 (typical) |
Stacking: University competitive awards follow UA Little Rock’s stacking guidance — typically you can combine one academic award with one programmatic award; some programs may not stack. Always confirm award letters.
What qualities make a strong CLC applicant?
The most successful Chancellor’s Leadership Corps applicants demonstrate sustained and meaningful leadership—such as founding or organizing a project, maintaining a role in community or school initiatives, or having a major ongoing impact in family, volunteer, or extracurricular settings. In addition to meeting academic minimums, applicants should express thoughtfulness and enthusiasm through their essays, recommendations, and interviews. The CLC interview committee especially values applicants who communicate well, show self-awareness, and are motivated to foster a positive campus community .
What is the CLC interview really like?
Applicants are typically invited to participate in a small-group or panel interview. The discussion covers topics such as personal service experiences, motivations for joining the program, and ideas for contributing to CLC programming. Interviewers aim to learn about a candidate’s initiative, reliability, and ability to articulate goals. Applicants are encouraged to dress professionally and prepare relevant examples to share with the committee .
What ongoing requirements do CLC scholars face?
Students in the CLC program are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, live on campus during their first year, complete the required orientation and First Year Experience courses, fulfill annual service hour requirements, and actively participate in professional development programming. Scholars must meet these criteria each year in order to renew their award .
Why does CLC housing matter?
The university strongly encourages CLC scholars to live in West Hall and participate in the Living Learning Community. This arrangement offers a built-in support system for adjusting to college life, enhanced networking with fellow scholarship recipients, and greater accountability for involvement and academic success .
Can CLC be stacked with other scholarships?
The CLC scholarship can generally be combined with a single academic or automatic merit award, in accordance with UA Little Rock’s university-wide stacking rules. However, certain flagship or high-value program awards are not stackable. It is always important to check the terms and award letters for each individual scholarship.
ualr.edu/clc/
ualr.edu/clc/requirements/
ualr.edu/scholarships/
ualr.edu/catalog/academic-policies/