Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program – Achievement Scholars

Eligibility

• Be a graduating high-school senior and bona fide Arkansas resident for at least 12 months.
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident, or qualify through an Employment Authorization Document held by you or a parent.
• Qualify through a public-school Diploma of Distinction completed through spring coursework/credentials/exams, an associate degree completed by the end of summer after high-school graduation, or the county-selection route.
• County selection ranks ACT/SAT, GPA and class rank in a county without a selected Governor's Distinguished Scholar; you must apply for Academic Challenge for this route.
• Complete ACT or SAT before the annual deadline and enroll at an approved institution in a qualifying program.

Requirements

• Apply through Arkansas SAMS by July 1; the next annual deadline is July 1, 2027.
• Complete FAFSA unless ADHE confirms the student/parent EAD exception.
• Enroll in at least 12 credits in the first fall immediately after high-school graduation and 15 each semester thereafter, normally at one institution unless an approved consortium applies.
• Renewal requires 3.0 cumulative college GPA, 27 earned credits in the first year and 30 each subsequent year, plus institutional satisfactory academic progress and continuing enrollment.

How to Apply

1. 1Choose and verify the Diploma of Distinction, associate-degree or county-selection eligibility route.
2. 2Submit the SAMS application, required test scores and FAFSA or approved EAD exception by the annual deadline.
3. 3For county selection, submit the Academic Challenge application; monitor SAMS for verified graduation/credential records.
4. 4Accept the award and maintain enrollment, earned-credit and GPA requirements; confirm stacking limits with your aid office.