Scholarship Opportunity

Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship

Offered by Arkansas Division of Higher Education

Lottery-supported aid for qualifying traditional and nontraditional Arkansas students, with academic entry alternatives and different awards by college type and year.

EssayNot required
RenewableYes
Grade LevelHigh School Senior, College Freshman, College Sophomore, College Junior, College Senior, Adult Learner

Application Timeline

Important application dates

This scholarship offers more than one application cycle. Review each window carefully before applying.

2027–28 Academic Challenge application

OpensOctober 1, 2026
DeadlineJuly 1, 2027

Eligibility

  • Be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months before enrollment and a US citizen or lawful permanent resident; meet the program's other state-aid conditions.
  • Be accepted into an approved degree, qualified certificate or nursing diploma program; initial applicants must not have a bachelor's degree or 120 or more earned semester credits.
  • Traditional entry alternatives: Diploma of Merit; GPA below 3.0/equivalent with ACT 19, SAT 990 or qualifying equivalent; or high-school GPA at least 3.0 with a standardized score on record but no specific score minimum.
  • Nontraditional entry with college credit uses a minimum 2.5 college GPA. The overview also lists ACT 19/equivalent or 3.0 high-school GPA for no-college-credit applicants; confirm the GPA alternative with ADHE because lower detailed text still lists only the test route.
  • Traditional enrollment is at least 12 credits first fall and 15 thereafter; qualifying nontraditional students may enroll part-time at 6–14 credits with prorated payments.

Requirements

  • Apply through SAMS and complete FAFSA; income is not a base-award entry requirement.
  • Supply academic pathway evidence, test scores when applicable, and requested residency/eligibility documents.
  • Traditional renewal: 2.5 cumulative GPA, 27 earned credits first academic year and 30 per year thereafter. Nontraditional renewal requires 2.5 GPA and earned credits appropriate to full/part-time status.

How to Apply

  1. 1Complete SAMS for Academic Challenge in the application window.
  2. 2Submit FAFSA and the documents supporting your specific traditional or nontraditional entry route.
  3. 3Monitor SAMS and verify enrollment/award level with your school. Renewal normally follows spring review without a new annual application.