University of Arkansas at Little Rock Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~58%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22
- Middle 50% SAT: 1095
- Average GPA: 3.6
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Arkansas at Little Rock at a Glance
UALR is one of those schools that quietly makes a lot of financial sense—especially for families trying to avoid big student loan numbers. The automatic merit is straightforward, the GPA/test score cutoffs are realistic, and the border-state waiver can instantly drop costs for out-of-state students. This is a place where solid students can stack aid and actually get to a low net price without chasing long-shot scholarships.
The big upside is the Donaghey Scholars Program, which is a true full ride—but that’s a selective track, not something to count on. For most families, the real value here is predictable discounts and affordability. UALR works best for students who want a practical, career-focused education in a city setting and are more focused on outcomes than brand name. If your goal is “graduate with little to no debt,” this is the kind of school that should be on your list.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — University of Arkansas at Little Rock is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22; SAT: 1095.
Average net price? About $11,225/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
University scholarship page: https://ualr.edu/scholarships/freshmen/
Donaghey Scholars Honors Program site: https://ualr.edu/donagheyscholars/financial-package/
University scholarship page: https://ualr.edu/clc/
University scholarship page: https://ualr.edu/scholarships/50scholarship/
UA Little Rock SURF information page: https://ualr.edu/biology/adhe-surf-grants/
University scholarship page: https://ualr.edu/scholarships/trojan-guarantee/
Study Abroad Office page: https://ualr.edu/studyabroad/trojantravels/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 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 official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
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.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $10,185 | $23,605 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $7,606 | $7,606 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $17,791 | $31,211 |
Average Federal Net Price: $11,225 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
- 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/