How to Apply for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship

Did you know that over $100 million in scholarship funds goes unclaimed each year simply because students don’t apply?

The Arkansas Challenge Scholarship could be your perfect chance to afford college education. Thousands of Arkansas students benefit from this scholarship each year. The Arkansas Lottery funds this program that provides the most important financial support for both two-year and four-year college programs.

The scholarship application process might seem daunting at first. We’ve broken it down into simple, manageable steps that will help you succeed. This detailed guide walks you through everything from checking your eligibility to meeting deadlines and keeping your award.

Your college education awaits proper funding. Let’s explore how to apply for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship and boost your chances of success.

Check Your Basic Eligibility Requirements

Let’s explore the eligibility requirements for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship. Understanding these requirements is a vital first step to secure this valuable funding.

Residency Requirements

You must be an Arkansas resident for at least twelve months before college enrollment. Students under 21 need to meet this requirement themselves or through a parent/guardian. Military families get special consideration – the Division of Higher Education adjusts residency calculations if you’re deployed outside Arkansas.

Academic Requirements

Requirements differ between traditional and non-traditional students:

Traditional Students (Recent High School Graduates):

Non-Traditional Students:

• Either a 19 ACT score OR
• 2.5 GPA in previous college coursework

Enrollment Status Options

The scholarship offers flexible enrollment options that fit different educational paths:

Full-Time Students:

• First academic year: Minimum 27 semester hours
• Subsequent years: 30 semester hours per academic year

Part-Time Students:

• Must complete at least 6 semester hours per term
• Cannot exceed the maximum hours for full-time status

Important Note: You need continuous enrollment unless you request a hold in advance (maximum 2 semesters)

Note that meeting these simple requirements doesn’t guarantee funding – it depends on available lottery revenue and legislative approval. Students can use the scholarship for bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and qualified certificate programs.

Gather Required Documentation

Let’s get started with your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship application now that you’re eligible. We’ll help you organize all the documents you need to submit a great application.

Academic Records

Your academic documentation is a vital part of the application process. Here’s what you need:

For Public School Students:

• Your school will update your information through the state TRIAND system
• Test scores and transcripts (7th or 8th semester)

For Private School and Homeschool Students:

• You must send test scores and transcripts directly to ADHE
• Upload documents to your SAMS application or mail to:
• Arkansas Division of Higher Education Financial Aid Division 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 Little Rock, AR 72201

Identification Documents

You’ll need these documents to verify your eligibility:

Financial Information

Income doesn’t determine your eligibility, but you still need to submit these financial documents:

Required Financial Documents:

• Completed FAFSA (due by August 1, 2024)
• Verification that you don’t owe any federal/state aid refunds
• Confirmation that you haven’t exceeded federal loan limits

Pro Tip: Use a personal email account instead of your school email for the application. This way, you’ll always have access to important communications after graduation.

Note that transfer students need to submit transcripts from their previous institution that show both GPA and earned hours between semesters. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit.

Complete the YOUniversal Application

The next significant step in securing your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship is completing the YOUniversal application through the Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS). This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Creating Your Account

SAMS makes it easy to get started. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Visit the SAMS portal at https://sams.adhe.edu/
2. Click “Create an Account” to begin
3. Set up three security questions for account recovery

Important: Use a personal email address rather than a school email to ensure continuous access to important communications.

Filling Out Personal Information

Your login gives you access to a detailed questionnaire that has:

The system will display all qualifying programs in the “Potential Programs Available” section once you submit the questionnaire.

Uploading Required Documents

We’ve optimized the document submission process to make it simple:

Document Upload Guidelines:

• Click “Details” under your scholarship application
• Use the upload button in “Additional Supporting Documents”
• Submit all documents before the specified deadlines

Pro Tip: Check your application status regularly through your SAMS account. The system will mark documents as either ‘Accepted’ or ‘Rejected’ as they’re reviewed.

Your email inbox will receive a confirmation message from [email protected] that lists all scholarships you’ve applied for. You can update your SAMS account information 24/7 if needed.

Important Deadlines:

• FAFSA Submission: August 1, 2024
• Application Updates: October 1 for Fall term
• Institution Changes: February 1 for Spring term

Choose Your Institution Type

Your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship benefits depend on whether you choose a two-year or four-year institution. Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice.

Two-Year vs Four-Year College Considerations

These key factors will help you choose between institution types:

• Program Length: Two-year institutions offer associate degrees and certificates, while four-year schools provide bachelor’s degrees
• Credit Hours: Two-year institutions limit students to 72 credit hours
• Location Options: State-supported institutions or private nonprofit colleges headquartered in Arkansas are available to you

Important: You must transfer to a four-year institution to receive remaining benefits if you reach 72 credit hours at a two-year institution with 3 semesters or less eligibility left.

Award Amount Differences

The Arkansas Challenge Scholarship awards vary based on your institution type:

Four-Year Institution Awards:

Two-Year Institution Awards:

Additional Funding (2024-2025): Students with an SAI below 7,999 might get extra funding up to $2,500 per semester, based on their institution type.

Transfer Options

The transfer process between institutions is simple:

1. Transfer Deadlines:
   • Fall Term: October 1st
   • Spring Term: February 1st
2. Requirements:
   • Keep a 2.5 GPA
   • Send transcripts from your previous institution
   • Update your SAMS account with the new institution

Pro Tip: Start planning early if you want to transfer. Make sure your credits will transfer to your new institution. Don’t forget to update ADHE through your YOUniversal account before the deadline.

Submit Your Application Before Deadlines

The right timing makes a significant difference in your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship application. You should know the deadlines and how to monitor your application status.

Important Dates to Remember

Here’s everything in the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship timeline:

Submission Confirmation Process

After submitting your application, this happens:

1. Immediate Confirmation:
   • You’ll get an automated email from [email protected]
   • The email shows all scholarships you’ve applied for
2. Status Updates: Your application moves through these stages:

• Submitted Application
• Eligibility Pending
• Eligible
• Pending Acceptance
• Accepted
• Awarded

Pro Tip: Check your SAMS account often. High volume might slow down document processing.

Following Up on Your Application

Tracking your application is straightforward:

Document Verification:

• Access your SAMS account to check document status
• Add more documents through the “Details” section
• Look for status changes in your account

Transfer Requests: Need to change institutions? Here’s what to do:

1. Log into SAMS
2. Go to the “My Profile” page
3. Select “Request Transfer”
4. Submit before the semester deadline

Important: You can pause your scholarship for up to 2 semesters. Submit hold requests by October 1 for fall and February 1 for spring.

Need help? Contact the Arkansas Division of Higher Education at 501-371-2000 or visit sams.adhe.edu.

Maintain Your Scholarship

Your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship comes with specific academic standards and requirements. Let’s walk through what you need to do to keep your funding secure.

GPA Requirements

Your grades play a significant role in keeping your scholarship. You’ll need to:

• Keep a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Check your GPA when each spring semester ends
• Take summer classes to boost your GPA if needed

Pro Tip: Your GPA drops below requirements? You can take summer courses at your expense to meet the standard. Make sure to submit your summer grades to ADHE by October 1st.

Credit Hour Requirements

The credit requirements vary based on your student category:

Important: You must enroll in at least 12 credit hours during your first fall semester after high school. After that, take 15 credit hours each semester.

Renewal Process

The renewal happens automatically when you meet the requirements. Here’s what you should know:

1. Automatic Renewal Requirements:
   • Meet GPA and credit hour standards
   • Stay enrolled each fall and spring
   • Finish all remedial courses within first 30 hours
2. Special Considerations:
   • You can put your scholarship on hold for up to 4 semesters
   • Withdrawing from fall semester without earning credits means immediate loss of scholarship
   • Students with concurrent credit from high school can request second-year award level after completing 27 hours by graduation

Important Alert: ADHE will work with your institution to determine the maximum renewal period if your degree needs more than 120 credit hours.

Questions about your scholarship? Contact ADHE’s financial aid division at [email protected] or visit sams.adhe.edu for more information.

Conclusion

The Arkansas Challenge Scholarship is a chance to fund your college education with awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. We have outlined each significant step to help you check eligibility and maintain your award.

These points will lead to success:

Success Tip: Start your scholarship application today through the YOUniversal portal to maximize your chances of receiving this valuable financial aid.

Your college dreams are achievable. Submit your Arkansas Challenge Scholarship application and take the first step toward your educational goals. You can join thousands of Arkansas students who benefit from this program each year by preparing well and following the requirements.

Do you need help? Contact the Arkansas Division of Higher Education at 501-371-2000 or visit their website to find more scholarship resources and guidance.