🎓 University of Arkansas Scholarships & Aid Guide

← Back to Public University Scholarships

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

If your student has solid grades or test scores, the University of Arkansas could be more affordable than expected—thanks to automatic merit aid, the NRTA tuition waiver for out-of-state students, and Honors College scholarships. This guide outlines what most families don’t see on the official pages.

💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Arkansas (2025–2026)

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees	$10,496	$31,550
Housing & Meals	$9,600	$9,600
Books, Travel, Personal	$7,226	$7,226
Total (Estimated)	$27,322	$48,376

📉 Average Federal Net Price: $16,208 — what families actually paid after scholarships and grants (no loans), based on the latest federal data.

About 35% of Arkansas students receive institutional aid averaging ~$10,777, which brings the net price down significantly. This means many families pay closer to $16K per year rather than the full sticker price. Use the UA Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Reciprocity & Regional Programs: The University of Arkansas participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM), a tuition-savings program coordinated by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Both undergraduate and graduate students may qualify if their chosen program is ACM-approved and not offered at a public institution in their home state. This allows eligible out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition for specific degree programs.

In addition, the U of A offers several other residency-based programs and waivers:

Texarkana & Bowie County Reciprocity: Residents of Texarkana, Texas, and Bowie County, Texas are classified as in-state students through a long-standing reciprocity agreement.
New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award (NRTA): A merit-based scholarship that covers 70–90% of the out-of-state portion of tuition for qualifying non-resident freshmen and transfers.
Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship: Automatically awarded when a student earns $4,000+ in university-based scholarships during a semester, reducing out-of-state costs.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship: Discounts for children and relatives of U of A alumni.
Tribal, Military, and Federal Waivers: Special in-state classifications for members of federally recognized tribes, military personnel and their dependents, and citizens of Freely Associated States (e.g., Micronesia, Palau).

Example: An Arkansas resident pays about $28K before aid, while a non-resident pays about $43K — a difference of roughly $15,000 per year.

💡 Don’t Miss State Aid: Arkansas residents may qualify for programs like the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and other state-based grants. These can stack with campus aid. Explore our full guide:
👉 Arkansas State Grants & Scholarships

📘 Automatic Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded automatically based on GPA, test scores, or academic standing. Apply by the priority scholarship deadline (November 15)—late applicants may see reduced availability.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Chancellor’s Scholarship	Up to $8,000/yr	ACT 32+ or SAT 1420+ and GPA ≥ 3.90	No	Yes — 4 years; 30 hrs/yr; GPA ≥ 3.0	Students with both a very high GPA and top standardized test scores
Chancellor’s Community	Up to $5,000/yr	GPA ≥ 3.75 plus documented service record	No	Yes — 4 years	Students with strong academics and verified service hours
Silas Hunt Distinguished	$5,000–8,000/yr	ACT 26+ or SAT 1240+ and GPA ≥ 3.50; must be first-gen or from underrepresented background	No	Yes — 4 years	First-generation or underrepresented students who meet GPA/test thresholds
Advance Arkansas	Up to $4,000/yr	GPA ≥ 3.00; FAFSA required; first-gen preference	No (FAFSA required)	Yes — 4 years; 27 hrs first year then 30/yr; GPA ≥ 2.5	Need-based students who apply early and maintain minimum GPA
Razorback Bridge	Up to $3,500/yr	First-generation college student; GPA ≥ 3.00	No	Yes — 4 years	First-gen admits who join the cohort and remain in good standing
Leadership Scholarship	Up to $2,000/yr	ACT 26+ or SAT 1240+ and GPA ≥ 3.50; documented leadership roles	No	Yes — 4 years	Students with officer positions, captaincies, or equivalent leadership experience
First-Year Advantage	$5,000 (on-campus) or $3,000 (commuter)	Submit on-campus housing application (or commuter status)	No	No — one-time	Students who apply early for campus housing or commuter status

Disclaimer: GPA and test score cutoffs above are based on the latest published data and recipient patterns. Exact thresholds and award amounts may shift each year depending on the applicant pool and available funding. The University of Arkansas awards each student the single highest-value automatic scholarship they qualify for — these awards do not stack.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships require an extra application, essay, or nomination through the Arkansas Scholarship Application Management (ASAM) portal. They are not automatic and are limited in number.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Hunt Leadership Scholars	Full in-state tuition + fees	≈3.8+ GPA, verified leadership roles, strong essays	Yes — ASAM + essays	Yes — 4 years (GPA ≥ 3.25)	~15–20/year; documented leadership + service and high academics
Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship	Full ride (tuition, fees, room & board, stipend)	Arkansas resident; ACT 32+ or SAT 1410+; GPA ≥ 3.5	Yes — state application	Yes — 4 years	Top Arkansas academic achievers; ~300 statewide
Scholarship of Distinction	$2,000–$5,000/yr	High GPA/test scores + supplemental ASAM application	Yes — ASAM	Yes — 4 years	Strong academic admits who complete the extra application early

Disclaimer: Award amounts, eligibility thresholds, and selection volumes can change each year based on funding and applicant pools. Some competitive awards may replace, reduce, or stack with other aid depending on university and state rules—confirm details with UA’s Office of Scholarships.

📅 Deadline Note: The priority deadline is November 15. Final deadlines may extend into spring, but applying after November 15 significantly reduces chances for the most selective awards.

❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Are competitive scholarships automatic like merit awards?

No. Competitive awards require essays, recommendations, or interviews and are limited in number.

When should my student apply?

By November 15 for best consideration via the ASAM portal.

Who usually wins the big scholarships?

Top Arkansas students with strong test scores/GPAs and documented leadership/service (e.g., Hunt). Governor’s Distinguished goes to leading academic achievers statewide.

Can competitive scholarships stack with automatic merit?

Sometimes. Some replace automatic awards, others may stack. Confirm stacking in your official award letter with UA’s Office of Scholarships.

Is it worth the extra work?

Yes. A few essays or an interview can translate to thousands in renewable funding over four years.

💡 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic merit and headline competitive awards, Arkansas has a set of “quiet” scholarships that can make a big difference. Some are tied to participation (band, ROTC), some to being first-gen or a transfer, and others come from alumni or departmental funds. Parents often miss these — but they can add up to thousands per year.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Razorback Marching Band	Varies by instrument/role	Successful audition; full participation	Yes — audition	Yes — if you stay in the band	Most members receive something; strongest players get higher stipends
Army ROTC	Full tuition or R&B + stipend	Enrolled cadets; GPA ≥2.5; fitness/medical standards	Yes — ROTC application	Yes — contract length	Cadets who commit to service after graduation
Air Force ROTC	Covers tuition, fees, books + stipend	Meets AFROTC academic and service criteria	Yes — ROTC application	Yes — contract length	Cadets selected nationally; competitive and limited
Military Service Member Scholarship	Up to $4,000 (1 year)	Current or former service members	Yes	No — one year only	~25 awards/year to qualifying applicants
Military Dependent Scholarship	Up to $1,500 (1 year)	Child/spouse of a service member	Yes	No — one year only	~10 awards/year
Military Book Scholarship	$1,000 (1 semester)	Service member or dependent	Yes	No — one term	~10 awards/semester
Academic All-Star Transfer	Up to $10,000/yr	Named Academic All-Star at AR 2-yr college	No — automatic if designated	Yes — up to 5 semesters	Top transfers from AR two-year schools
Arkansas Transfer Achievement	Cuts tuition to UA System 2-yr rate	AA/AS from UA 2-yr; immediate transfer	No — auto if eligible	Yes — up to 10 semesters	Most UA 2-yr grads who stay in good standing
University Enrichment Scholarship	Up to $2,000 (one-time)	First-gen, financial need, or geographic diversity	No — automatic consideration	No	Students meeting one of the priority categories
Razorback Bridge	Up to $3,500/yr	First-gen or low-income, plus mentoring program	No	Yes — up to 4 years	Cohort of selected incoming freshmen
Alumni / Identity-Based Awards	$1,000–$5,000 typical	Varies by donor (race/ethnicity, leadership, chapter, etc.)	Yes — via AcademicWorks	Varies	Awarded through Alumni Association & Black Alumni Society

Disclaimer: Award amounts, eligibility, and renewal rules change year to year. Always confirm on the official UA site before relying on these figures.

❓ Hidden Gems — FAQs

Can these stack with automatic scholarships?

Many can. Band, ROTC, and alumni awards often layer on top of merit. Some may replace or reduce other aid — check with the Scholarship Office.

Do I need to apply separately?

ROTC, music, and alumni/identity awards require separate applications. Need-based/first-gen scholarships are usually automatic if you file the FAFSA and meet criteria.

Are transfer awards guaranteed?

Yes, if you meet the published criteria. Academic All-Star and Transfer Achievement are automatic once designated or confirmed.

🌟 What the University of Arkansas Is Known For

As the flagship research university of Arkansas, UA doesn’t just teach—it discovers, innovates, and leads. With its R1 (very high research activity) status, today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators. Here’s what that looks like in some of the standout programs most likely to impress your student or your resume.

Program to Watch:
The **Supply Chain Management** undergraduate program in the Sam M. Walton College of Business is **ranked No. 1 in North America** by Gartner—three years running. If logistics, operations, or business strategy is your game, this is one of the best places in the world to play it.

R1 Research Classification – UA is designated as a “Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity” (R1), placing it in the top tier of U.S. research institutions.
Business Programs – The Walton College is ranked #9 (undergraduate) and #11 (graduate) nationally by U.S. News; its Information Systems department is top-5 globally in research output.
Engineering Online Master’s – UA’s online master’s engineering programs are ranked #31 nationally, with subrank #20 for veterans.
Engineering (On-Campus) – UA’s on-campus engineering programs are ranked #1 in the state, with national rankings around #149 among doctoral engineering schools.
Law School – Consistently ranked among the top public law schools, historically around #43 among publics.
Graduate Business (MBA) – Full-time MBA is ranked #25 for public universities; part-time MBA is in the top 30 nationally.
Undergraduate Academics – UA’s undergraduate programs in business, economics, computer science, engineering, nursing, and psychology are all recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News.{index=8}
Poultry Science – Dale Bumpers College – One of the top three programs nationally in poultry science.

🎓 Honors College at Arkansas

What It Offers:
The University of Arkansas Honors College provides priority registration, smaller discussion-based classes, research and travel funding, and direct faculty mentorship. For the right student, it can be a springboard to graduate programs, national fellowships, and professional success.

Admissions: The Honors College requires a separate application with essays, transcripts, and test scores (superscored ACT/SAT are accepted). Admission is not automatic—even top students must apply.

Typical Admit: ACT 30+, GPA 3.8+, and strong writing portfolio
Deadline: November 15 for top fellowships; February 1 for general Honors admission
Automatic Invites? No. Every student must submit the Honors application.

🏅 Major Honors Fellowships

Fellowship	Award	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Sturgis Fellowship	Full COA + study abroad + research	ACT 33+, 4.0 GPA, strong research interest	Yes — Honors application + essays/interviews	4 years	Students with perfect/near-perfect stats and demonstrated passion for academic research
Walton Fellowship	Full ride + enrichment funding	ACT 32+, high GPA, leadership record, business interest	Yes — Honors application + interviews	4 years	Students with top academics and leadership, often aiming for business/economics
Tyson Fellowship	Full ride (STEM majors only)	ACT 31+, strong STEM GPA and record	Yes — Honors application + STEM focus	4 years	High-GPA students pursuing science or engineering with faculty research plans
Honors College Fellowship	$72,000 over 4 years	ACT 30+, GPA 3.8+, strong essays	Yes — Honors application + supplemental essays	4 years	Top Honors admits with strong leadership, essays, and academic rigor

Note: These fellowships are extremely competitive, with only a limited number awarded each year. Eligibility cutoffs are approximate; actual selection depends on essays, interviews, and available funding.

📎 Official Links

✨ Wrapping It Up

The University of Arkansas is more than just Fayetteville’s calling card — it’s a flagship R1 research university that pairs big-school opportunity with the personal touch of specialized programs like Honors and Razorback Bridge.

Automatic merit is generous for high scorers, competitive scholarships reward the leaders and doers, and hidden gems (from band to ROTC to alumni aid) help close the gap for families who know where to look. Layer on the nationally ranked Walton College of Business and top-tier research in engineering, agriculture, and sciences, and you’ve got a university that delivers serious return on investment — especially if you apply early and take advantage of every aid pathway.

If your kid is considering Arkansas, the real secret isn’t whether aid exists — it’s whether you know where to find it and how to stack it. That’s what turns the Razorback experience from a dream into a plan.

Last updated: August 2025