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Financial Aid Division

Financial Aid Programs | Rules and Applications

IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is current as of the date this site was updated and is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a compete description of the programs and their requirements. For complete information about a particular program, review the program's rules and regulations which are available in pdf format for review, download, or printing. The eligibility requirements and rules governing the programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education are subject to legislative and regulatory amendments subsequent to the date this site was updated. Please e-mail the Financial Aid Division at finaid@adhe.edu if you should need further information.

Please Note:  Due to current economic conditions, awards for all ADHE programs may be limited by the availability of funds.  Applicants are encouraged to apply but are also encouraged to pursue all sources of financial aid. See our links to other financial aid resources.

Financial Aid Calendar
The calendar is subject to change. If you see errors or omissions, please contact our division.
Financial Aid Calendar | 2008-2009 PDF
Scholarship Policies
Certain restrictions apply when receiving multiple scholarship awards.  Read the Stacking policy for details.
ADHE Stacking Policy PDF
Academic Challenge Scholarship
Due to additional funding made possible by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship has been expanded to provide opportunities for higher education to previously unserved Arkansans (traditional & non-traditional students).  The applications for the Academic Challenge Scholarship will be available on January 1, 2010.  The scholarship will be available to high school seniors and non-traditional students.
Academic Challenge Scholarship Overview (on-line application available January 1, 2010) PDF
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act (Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship) PDF
Academic Challenge Scholarship Rules and Regulations  (Proposed) PDF
Arkansas Smart Core WEB
Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) WEB
Arkansas Health Education Grant (ARHEG)
Provides financial assistance to students seeking professional training in chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine to allow them to attend out-of-state institutions.
Arkansas Health Education Grant Information and Participating Institutions WEB
Arkansas Health Education Grant Rules and Regulations PDF
Arkansas Health Education Grant Application and Arkansas Resident Affidavit PDF
Arkansas Health Education Grant Graduate Reporting Form PDF
Arkansas Health Education Grant - Dental Deferment Request PDF
Arkansas Health Education Grant - Dental Loan Forgiveness Voucher PDF
Governor’s Scholars Program
Up to $4000 annually for graduating high school seniors based on academic achievement, test score and leadership. The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship for those scoring 32 on the ACT or 1410 on the SAT, and a 3.50 academic grade point average, or are named National Merit Finalists or National Achievement Scholar pays tuition, mandatory fees, room and board up to $10,000 per year.
Governor's Scholars Program Overview/Online Application WEB
Governor's Scholars Program Rules and Regulations PDF
Higher Education Opportunities Grant (GO! Opportunities Grant)
Provides $1000 grants to full-time and $500 grants to part-time students based on financial need. Students must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months prior to applying for the grant.  Students also must meet the financial need criteria established for the GO! Grant and attend an approved Arkansas institution. Applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the GO! Opportunities Grant application.
Go! Opportunites Grant Overview WEB
Go! Opportunities Grant Rules and Regulations PDF
Go! Opportunities Grant Online Application WEB
Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) WEB
Law Enforcement Officers' Dependents Scholarship Program
Waiver of tuition, fees, and room at any public college, university, or technical institute in Arkansas for dependents and spouses of Arkansas law enforcement officers, some Highway and Transportation Department employees, and other public employees, who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Law Enforcement Officers' Dependents Scholarship Overview WEB
Law Enforcement Officers' Dependents Scholarship Rules PDF
Law Enforcement Officers' Dependents Scholarship Application PDF
Minority Masters Fellows Program
Offers forgivable loans to African-American, Asian-American, Native American, and Hispanic college students seeking a masters degree in education in a field other than administration, or in the fifth year of a five year teacher licensure program.
Minority Masters Fellows Program Overview WEB
Minority Masters Fellows Program Rules and Regulations PDF
Minority Masters Fellows Program Application PDF
Minority Teachers Scholars Program
Offers forgivable loans to African-American, Asian-American, Native American, and Hispanic college juniors and seniors seeking an education degree leading to an initial teacher license.
Minority Teachers Scholars Program Overview WEB
Minority Teachers Scholars Program Rules and Regulations PDF
Minority Teachers Scholars Program Application PDF
Military Dependents Scholarship Program
Waiver of tuition, fees, room and board at any public college, university, or technical institute in Arkansas for dependents and spouses of Arkansans who were killed or missing in action or who were prisoners of war or who are totally and permanently disabled.
Military Dependents Scholarship Overview WEB
Military Dependents Scholarship Rules and Regulations PDF
Military Dependents Scholarship Application PDF
Nursing Student Loan Program - Nurse Educator Loan
Provides forgivable loans to students pursuing a course of study leading to qualification as a nurse educator.  Funding for this program is provided through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.  All eligible applicants will be considered for award by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Nursing Student Loan Program Application Overview/Application PDF
Nursing Student Loan Program Rules and Regulations PDF
Second Effort Scholarship
Up to $1000 annually to the individuals with the top 10 scores on the GED exam during the previous calendar year.
Second Effort Scholarship Overview WEB
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Program
Offers forgivable loans OR loan repayment grants to current or future educators teaching in a subject and/or geographic shortage area in an Arkansas public school. STAR Loans are for future teachers seeking an education degree leading to an initial license. STAR Repayment Grants are for current teachers who did not receive a STAR Loan.
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Overview WEB
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Rules and Regulations PDF
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Online Application  WEB
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Commissioners PDF
State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Loan Repayment Grant for Teachers Application PDF
STAR Teacher Shortage List | 2009-2010 PDF
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
Designed to allow undergraduate students to conduct in-depth research projects in their specific fields of study with the assistance of faculty mentors.
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Overview WEB
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Brochure PDF
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Application Checklist PDF
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Application PDF
Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Budget XLS
Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
Offers forgivable loans OR reimbursement grants to current Arkansas teachers seeking to further their education. TOP Loans provide assistance with educational expenses and require school district nomination and matching funds. TOP Loan recipients must be seeking an additional license in a subject shortage area, as determined by the Arkansas Department of Education. TOP Reimbursement Grants are available for teachers whose school districts do not participate in the TOP Loan program.
Teacher Opportunity Program Overview WEB
Teacher Opportunity Program Rules and Regulations PDF
Teacher Opportunity Program Dual Licensure Loan Application |No longer available PDF
Teacher Opportunity Program Reimbursement Grant Online Application  WEB
Workforce Improvement Grant
Awards up to $2000 annually to students at least 24 years old based on financial need. Students apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and awards are made by the institution the student attends. Students may be enrolled part time.
Workforce Improvement Grant Overview WEB
Workforce Improvement Grant Rules and Regulations PDF
Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) WEB