Best Scholarships in AR

Quick Highlights:

Arkansas students may be eligible for scholarships to help with college costs, some covering full tuition.
College degrees increase salaries and career advancement chances.
Scholarships are available for different types of students including veterans’ children, nursing students, alternative education, and more.
Scholarship applications have unique criteria. Students may need to submit their GPA, write an essay, provide recommendations, or meet financial need criteria.

Many people have higher education goals as they understand that people with college degrees make higher salaries and have a better chance of advancement in their careers than those who do not. Even in careers that don’t require college degrees, a post-secondary diploma can increase earning power significantly. Unfortunately, too many people believe that attending college is nothing more than a dream as they don’t think they can afford tuition. For residents of Arkansas, there are many scholarships available that can help defray the cost of a college education as well as some that will provide full tuition for eligible applicants.

Featured Programs

1. Academic Challenge Scholarship

The Academic Challenge Scholarship is for Arkansas residents who are pursuing higher education. The scholarship is available to students just graduating from high school, enrolled in college or re-enrolling after a period out of college. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 if they have earned 12 credit hours or more or a score of 19 or higher on the ACT. If the student is a high school graduate, they must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must submit a separate, official transcript from every college or university they attend.

2. American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arkansas Nurses Scholarship

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arkansas Nurses Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to veteran’s children in Arkansas who desire to study nursing. There is one $500 award each year. Applicants must be Arkansas residents, and the child must have at least one parent who is a veteran who meets the criteria for membership in the American Legion. The student must be aa high school senior or recent graduate. Recipients are determined by their character, Americanism, leadership, financial need and academic achievement.

3. Ann Burns Smith Scholarship Endowment

The Ann Burns Smith Scholarship is for alternative education students who reside in Arkansas. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be attending a college or university that is regionally accredited. The application can be completed online, and the scholarship is for $500. The scholarship is managed by the Arkansas Community Foundation.

4. AQHA Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship

The American Quarter Horse Association offers scholarships to their youth affiliate ambassadors who are youth leaders actively involved through their state affiliation. AQHA ambassadors from 19 states, including Alabama, are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school and must maintain a GPA of 2.5. Current or previous awardees are not eligible to apply. The award is applied to a four-year undergraduate degree program, but the awardee can choose any degree program at any college or university in the United States.

5. Arkansas Chamber Singers Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship

The Arkansas Chamber Singers Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship is designed to promote the art of choral music. Applicants must master the skills and acquire the knowledge necessary to bring high quality to choral music performances in Arkansas. Applicants must complete and mail an application as well as a typewritten essay of not more than 300 words detailing the career they hope to obtain in music. Three sealed letters of recommendation are also required, one from a teacher, one from a choral music teacher and one form a community member.

6. Arkansas Department of Higher Education Minority Grant Program

Financial assistance is available for students seeking professional training in chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine or veterinary medicine so that they may attend out-of-state institutions. The grant recipient must remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward a degree. The maximum grant is $5,000, and students must demonstrate financial need.

7. Arkansas Health Education Grant Program

8. Arkansas High-Tech Scholarship

The Arkansas Hi-Tech Scholarship provides $250 per semester, $500 per year, to Arkansas high school graduates who plan to enroll in highly technical programs at a public Arkansas post-secondary school. Applicants must demonstrate leadership capabilities and meet specific academic criteria. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and minimum ACT scores of 19 or 730 on the SAT. Applicants must be ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class. The scholarship may be continued into the second semester and renewed annually up to four years if the recipient remains a full-time student an achieves a 3.0 GPA.

9. Arkansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association Scholarship

Children, grandchildren, adopted children or stepchildren of any employee or member of the Arkansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association may apply for a $1,000 scholarship. The member may be a ready mix producer or associate member. Along with the application, three character references from non-relatives and a transcript must be submitted. There is also an essay required as part of the application. The scholarship is a one-time scholarship, but recipients may reapply each year. Applications may be handwritten but must be printed, or they may be typed.

10. Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship

The Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship assists children of Arkansas residents who died in service to the state, nation or local communities. Awards are given based on financial need, scholarship, and leadership. Along with the application, students must provide a written narrative of one-half to one page explaining extra-curricular activities, leadership roles in your school and community as well as how the scholarship will further life goals. Also, a transcript, copy of a birth certificate verifying parental identity and a brief note or letter that describes the circumstances of the parent’s death.

11. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship is for single parents in Arkansas who are pursuing a course of instruction that will improve their earning potential. Applicants must be a single parent living in Arkansas and be considered economically disadvantaged. They must have custodial care of one or more children under the age of 18, and they may not have a degree from a four-year institution. Other requirements may differ from county to county which may require specific programs of study, income level, GPA and financial aid eligibility.

12. ARNF Research Grant

Arkansas Nurses Foundation Research Grant provides scholarships nurses who are conducting a research project approved by an IRB in any regionally accredited institute of higher learning. Applicants must hold an Arkansas Nursing license in good standing and those who hold a bachelor’s degree must have graduated from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE. An application is required as well as a paragraph statement that explains how the applicant perceives the research will be used by nurses in Arkansas. A cover letter stating short and long term career goals as well as how the grant being sought will enhance those goals is also required. A financial assistance statement that describes any grants, funding or stipends is required as well as a statement of approval from an Institutional Review Board governing ethical treatment of subjects in a research study. Applicants must also provide a current resume.

13. Art Porter Music Education Memorial Scholarship Program

The Art Porter Music Foundation offers a $3,000.00 scholarship that is awarded over four years to a graduating senior. The scholarship is awarded in four instalments, $1,500 the first year, $500 for the next three consecutive years. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 each year. Applicants must demonstrate musical talent and plan to pursue a music degree and career. Letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s musical and academic capabilities as well as their character are required. The applicant must agree to serve the state of Arkansas for at least one year after graduation. Applicants must reside in the state of Arkansas at the time of application.

14. AT&T War Memorial Scholarship

The AT&T War Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces who plans to attend a two- or four-year college or university in Arkansas. The applicant must be a veteran of the United States Armed Services and a current resident of Arkansas. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, community leadership and the potential to succeed in college. The scholarship is $2,500 and was created by AT&T to honor Arkansas’ 25 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

15. Betty Black Hatchett Scholarship

The Betty Black Hatchett Scholarship is for members of Kappa Alpha Theta. There is no minimum GPA for the scholarship and awards may be used for tuition, course-related fees, and required textbooks or supplies. Although transcripts are not necessary with the application, they will be required if the applicant is chosen as a recipient. Students must reside in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas.

16. Bird Dog Foundation Essay Contest

The Bird Dog Foundation offers a scholarship to promote wildlife conservation and related subjects. Through their College Scholarship Essay Contest, two high school seniors residing in Arkansas, Mississippi or Tennessee may qualify for a $1,500 scholarship. Applicants may not be related to an employee or sitting board member of the Bird Dog Foundation. The essay must be between 900 and 1,000 words on a topic chosen by the foundation each year. A cover sheet must accompany the essay to include the title, student name, home mailing address, home and/or cell number, email address, the date the essay was completed and the name of the student’s high school.

17. Church’s Chicken Community Scholarship Program

The Church’s Partners Foundation provides scholarships to students residing in 16 eligible states, including Arkansas, who plan to further their education. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors and home school students are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and be a resident of the United States. Applicants must plan to enroll part- or full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational school. The maximum scholarship is $1,000, and there is one award.

18. Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust

Disadvantaged high school students and post high school graduates throughout Arkansas who are under the age of 25 are eligible to apply for the Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust. Applicants must be economically disadvantaged and have completed a high school diploma at the time they apply. They must plan to enroll at an accredited university, college or vocational school. Applicants must have roots in Arkansas and be between 17 to 25 years old.

19. Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa Scholarship

Students who are residents of Arkansas may apply for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Iowa Scholarship. Students must be planning to enter a two- or four-year degree program to study one of the following:

Agricultural Communications
Agronomy
Business Management
Crop Science
Economics
Education
Extension
Finance
Journalism
Marketing
Plant Pathology/Breeding/Genetics
Public Relations
Sales
Soil Science

Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and one scholarship in each eligible state will be awarded.

20. Florence Wood Scholarship

Students who are enrolled and have completed at least one year of occupational therapy specific courses in an AOTA accredited program or who are enrolled in an occupational therapy assistant program may apply for the Florence Wood Scholarship. The $500 scholarship is available to Arkansas residents, and they must be seeking their first degree in occupational therapy. Applicants must have a sustained record of outstanding scholastic achievement and must provide an application, two references as well as a statement from their program director.

21. Fred R. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship

The Fred R. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship is for students who are enrolled ina baccalaureate or higher degree program. Preference is given to students enrolled in electronics, communications or related fields. Applicants residing in the FCC Fifth Call District, which includes Arkansas, are also given preference and must be attending school within that district. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must be licensed amateur radio operator. The award is for $500.

22. Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship

The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship is an academically rigorous award offered to seniors who score a 32 or higher on the ACT or a 1410 or higher on the SAT. They must also have a 3.5 academic GPA. Students who are named National Merit Finalists, or National Achievement Scholars may qualify without the GPA requirement, although the ACT/SAT requirements remain. The award may be used for tuition, fees, room and board up to $10,000 per year.

23. Icy Lee Rainey Scholarship

The Icy Lee Rainey Scholarship is designed for non-traditional students who are mothers. Applicants can be married, widowed or divorced who have stayed at home with their children for a minimum of two years and who live in Faulkner, Washington, Conway or St. Francis Counties. Awards are based on financial need, community leadership and the potential to succeed in college. If academic progress is shown, the scholarship is renewable. Applicants must provide a high school transcript, one letter of recommendation from a non-relative and a 500-word essay by the applicant describing how they meet the criteria of the scholarship as well as how they will use their education to align with the legacy of Icy Rainey.

24. Law Enforcement Officers’ dependent Scholarship

Dependents and spouses of Arkansas law enforcement officers, highway and transportation employees and other public employees who were killed in the line of duty are eligible to apply for the Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependent Scholarship. To qualify, the applicant must be the natural, adopted or stepchild of a public employee who died in the course of going to or returning from or in the performance of their duties. Spouses may also apply. Along with the application, the student must provide documentation in the form of a death certificate, an order and finding of facts from the Arkansas State Claims Commission, a copy of their birth certificate and a copy of their marriage license if they are a spouse.

25. Higher Education Opportunities Grant

Students who can demonstrate financial need may apply for the Higher Education Opportunities Grant for up to $1,000 for full-time and $500 for part-time studies. Students must be an Arkansas resident for at least one year before their application and must meet the requirements for financial need. They must attend an approved Arkansas institution. The FAFSA is required to qualify.

26. Merwin T. and Agnes Bowman Nursing Scholarship

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a qualified college or university or who is seeking to license as a Registered Nurse may apply for the Merwin T. and Agnes Bowman Nursing Scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and community involvement as well as the potential to succeed in college. Two letter from non-relatives and a brief essay explain why the applicant meets the criteria as well as how they plan to use their education are also required. Scholarships may be used to attend either two- or four-year schools in Arkansas.

27. Military Dependents Scholarship

Military dependents whose parent or spouse was killed in the line of duty can apply for the Military Dependents Scholarship. Parents and spouses who were prisoners of war, entirely or permanently disabled are also eligible to apply. Applicants must provide a death certificate certifying the death of the parent or spouse as well as a Report of Casualty from the appropriate branch of the Armed Forces. Applicants must also provide documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a statement from the Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. A copy of a birth certificate, adoption papers or marriage license must also be provided.

28. Murray T. Harris Allied Health Scholarship

The Murray T. Harris Allied Health Scholarship provides students in Washington and Benton Counties the opportunity to pursue a degree in allied health programs. Programs include, but are not limited to, radiology technicians, clinical laboratory scientists, nursing and respiratory therapy. The scholarship is provided to those who enter an underserved health profession in an effort to attract more candidates to those fields. It is a $1,000 scholarship and the application can be found online.

29. NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program

Students who plan to work directly with children may apply to the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. (NAJA) scholarship. Applicants must be pursuing graduate-level studies for one year in fields of study that may include counseling, working with exceptional or gifted and talented children as well as those that are hearing impaired. Degrees in mental health, psychology, remedial skills development, speech pathology and special education are also eligible programs. Students must be planning to work directly with children so educational administration degree programs are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

30. NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarship

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Foundation provides $3,500 scholarships to a student in each region of their organization. Applicants must display outstanding abilities in education and be classified at a high school senior residing in Region III, which includes Arkansas. Applicants must have an outstanding achievement record. They must also demonstrate an aptitude for college work based on ACT or SAT scores.

31. Poultry Federation Scholarship

The Poultry Federation offers scholarships to Arkansas students already attending college who are pursuing a degree in the poultry and egg business. There are four types of scholarships available:

College Sophomore
College Junior
College Senior
Graduate Student

Graduate students must be pursuing a degree in poultry/animal science. Applicants must submit a personal essay, transcript, and an online application.

32. Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship

Presbyterian students who are full-time degree students attending accredited United states institutions may apply for the Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship. Applicants must be a member of the Presbyterian Church and have completed their first year of college. They must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university and have a GPA of 2.5 or above. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Awards are for up to $2,000 for students seeking a bachelor’s degree.

33. Second Effort Scholarship

A scholarship is available for students with the top ten GED scores during the previous calendar year. Recipients must be at least 18 years of age or a former member of a high school class that has graduated. The recipient many not have graduated from a traditional high school and must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien. The recipient must have passed the Arkansas High School Diploma GED test and must have been an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months.

34. Sheffield Nelson University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School Fund

Arkansas residents who attend the University of Little Rock who are enrolled full-time in the law school may apply for the Sheffield Nelson Scholarship. Applicants must be United States citizens and must demonstrate outstanding academics and community service. Also, awards are based on participation in athletics, the student’s future goals and recommendations provided by faculty or advisers. Financial need is also used in determining recipients. The number of awards given each year varies and it is a non-renewable scholarship. In addition to the law school scholarship, the foundation also provides scholarships to the University of Central Arkansas and students of Brinkley High School, all alma maters of Mr. Sheffield.

35. Teacher Opportunity Program

Grants are available for current Arkansas teachers and administrators who want to further their education. Teachers may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for up to six credit hours for an academic year, not to exceed $3,000. Applicants must be residents of Arkansas and hold a valid teacher license with the Arkansas Department of Education. They must be currently employed as a classroom teacher, librarian, specialist, guidance counselor or administrator. They must have been employed for at least three years and be accepted into a teacher education program. Students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

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