Automatically applied for qualifying students with residency proof
All data verified from official 2025–26 tuition and scholarship listings at UALR.
Last verified: October 2025
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.
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.
Average Net Price: Families paid about $11,225 on average after scholarships and grants (no loans), based on the most recent federal data.
Tuition Savings Options:
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.
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 2025–2026 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.
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.
Although these are not the headline scholarships, the right student can save thousands of dollars through these opportunities. Most hidden gem awards are need-based, support first-generation students, or fund experiences like study abroad and research.
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Trojan Guarantee
Covers full tuition & mandatory fees (up to 15 hrs/semester) as a last-dollar award after Pell + Academic Challenge
AR residents; Pell-eligible; must also receive the Academic Challenge Scholarship; full-time enrollment required
No; triggered automatically if eligible
Yes; up to 4 years if Pell + Challenge + GPA/credit hour benchmarks are maintained
Low-income AR residents who qualify for both Pell and Challenge
Enroll as a first-time full-time freshman by Aug. 1 (recommended). Admission credentials due by April 1,for fall awards.
Half-Off Scholarship
50% off in-state tuition & fees (approx. $5,000/yr)
AR residents; not Pell-eligible; must receive Academic Challenge; full-time status required
No; awarded automatically if Challenge is received
Yes; renewed with Challenge and full-time status
Middle-income AR students who qualify for Challenge but not Pell
Same as Trojan Guarantee: enroll by Aug. 1. Admission & aid materials by April 1 recommended.
Trojan Travels (Study Abroad)
$500–$2,000 toward approved program costs
UA Little Rock undergraduates accepted into an official study abroad program
Yes; separate application via Study Abroad Office
No
Students with need and a compelling academic reason for study abroad
Deadlines vary: April 1 (fall), October 15 (spring), December 1 (summer programs)
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
$1,000–$4,000, based on proposal and partnership
UA Little Rock undergrads with faculty mentor and approved research project
Yes; competitive application via UA Little Rock Research Office & ADHE portal
No (one-time per project; can reapply with a new project)
Upper-level students with strong research proposals and mentor support
November 1; earlier internal deadlines if using the UA system portal
Army ROTC Scholarships
Full tuition/fees, $420 monthly stipend, $1,200 books/yr
Commitment to Army ROTC; GPA, fitness, and service minimums; 2–4 year paths
Yes; national application opens summer before senior year of high school
Yes, if army and university standards are met
Students dedicated to completing ROTC and commissioning as officers
Vary by Army ROTC national deadlines; fall high school senior year recommended (often Dec–Feb)
Award amounts, eligibility, and deadlines reflect official UA Little Rock and ADHE guidance. Internal and national deadlines may vary for outside awards and must be confirmed annually.
Music and Pep Band Scholarships: Audition-based, awarded by the Department of Music, available to majors and non-majors; deadlines vary by area and ensemble.
First-Generation Opportunities: Most donor and first-gen awards are posted on ScholarshipUniverse, with rolling and program-specific deadlines.
Clubs and Civic Organizations: Private and civic organization deadlines are set by each donor and are usually announced on the UA Little Rock portal each spring.
Are these scholarships automatic?
The Trojan Guarantee and Half-Off Scholarship are automatic if all eligibility is met and aid credentials are submitted on time. Other awards, such as SURF and Trojan Travels, require an extra application and have specific deadlines.
Can these scholarships be combined with automatic merit?
Pell, Challenge, and Trojan Guarantee can be combined with stackable outside funding, but some awards have stacking and renewal limits. Students should check each program’s annual instructions.
Are award amounts and deadlines guaranteed?
All amounts and dates are based on the UA Little Rock and Arkansas Department of Higher Education releases; always confirm the current year’s instructions before applying.
Which students benefit most from these programs?
The most common recipients are Pell-eligible or middle-income Arkansas families, upper-level students with faculty-led research, and students planning to study abroad.
UA Little Rock’s honors experience is centered on the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, a campus-wide curriculum that replaces the traditional core with small, discussion-based seminars. Admission is selective and based on more than just grades—writing ability, leadership, and an interview matter as much as GPA or test scores.
What a Typical Donaghey Scholar Looks Like: Most recipients have a GPA in the 3.8–4.0 range, ACT scores in the high 20s or above (SAT ~1300+), a record of rigorous courses, demonstrated leadership roles, service projects, and the ability to shine in essays and interviews.
Honors Perks That Matter:
Full in-state tuition and fees covered for 8 semesters (up to 18 hours/semester)
$8,000–$10,000 annual stipend
Housing subsidy and a funded study abroad experience
Laptop computer provided to each scholar
Priority registration and access to faculty mentors
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Donaghey Scholars Honors Program
$75,000–$100,000+ total over 4 years Full in-state tuition & fees (up to 18 hrs/semester) + $8,000–$10,000 annual stipend + housing subsidy + study abroad funding + laptop
Incoming freshmen with near-perfect GPA (3.8–4.0) and ACT 28+ / SAT 1300+, plus demonstrated leadership, service, and strong writing/interviews
Yes — separate Donaghey application required
Yes — must maintain GPA and program standing
About 25 new scholars each year; recipients are top of class in GPA, rigor, essays, and leadership
Feb. 15 (final); Jan. 15 (priority)
Disclaimer: Published GPA and test score ranges reflect typical profiles of past Donaghey Scholars. Actual selection is holistic, and cutoffs may shift based on the pool.
Is admission automatic? No. Students must submit a separate application, essays, recommendations, and participate in an interview process.
Does the program add time to a degree? No. The Donaghey curriculum is designed to replace general education requirements, allowing students to graduate on a standard timeline.
What’s the priority deadline? UA Little Rock’s Donaghey Scholars Program applications are due by February 15; early applicants get priority if they apply by January 15.
How much can a scholar actually receive? Donaghey scholars can receive a value well over $90,000 across four years, including tuition, stipend, housing, study abroad, and a laptop.
UA Little Rock may not be the state flagship, but it has carved out a reputation in areas that matter locally and nationally. For parents, that means your student can plug into programs that carry weight with employers and graduate schools, especially in the capital city where internships and career pipelines are close at hand.
Best-Known Program: UA Little Rock’s Cybersecurity program is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security. That federal seal signals rigorous training and direct employer credibility in a fast-growing field.
Emerging Analytics Center (AR/VR & Visualization): Nationally recognized for immersive technologies and virtual reality research, with industry partnerships and advanced lab spaces.
Criminal Justice: One of the strongest programs in Arkansas, with statewide influence on law enforcement and corrections training.
Social Work: Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; the School of Social Work is well-regarded in Arkansas for preparing professionals in youth and family services.
Business & Public Administration: Located in the state’s capital, UA Little Rock connects directly to government agencies and Fortune 500 companies with internship pipelines.
Note: UA Little Rock is classified as an R2: Doctoral University — High Research Activity in Carnegie’s research rankings, not an R1.
For Arkansas families — and even neighbors from nearby states — UA Little Rock can be one of the most affordable four-year paths to a degree. Between automatic merit, hidden gems like the Trojan Guarantee, and the prestigious Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, students have multiple ways to bring the cost down. Add in the capital-city setting with internships close by, and this campus delivers real value without losing opportunity.
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