Academic Challenge Scholarship

(Apply at https://www.ark.org/adhe_financialaid/Login.aspx)

General Information

Important Note: The following information is intended as a general overview of the program for those who are applying, or who are considering applying, for the scholarship, and is not intended to be a comprehensive compilation of program requirements. For complete information please refer to the program’s rules and regulations.

The Academic Challenge Program provides scholarships to Arkansas residents pursuing a higher education. Funded in large part by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the Academic Challenge Scholarship is available to students regardless of their academic status, whether just graduating from high school, currently enrolled in college, enrolling in college for the first time, or re-enrolling after a period of time out of college. 

Arkansas Scholarship Stacking Law

Academic Challenge Award Amounts

Students applying for the 2022-23 school year are awarded at the following rates:

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements for the Academic Challenge Scholarship are based on two student categories: Traditional (Incoming Freshman) and Nontraditional Students.

Basic Eligibility Criteria:
An applicant must:

• Be an Arkansas resident (at least 12 months prior to enrollment) and US citizen/lawful permanent resident

• Be accepted for admission at an approved institution of higher education in a program of study that leads to a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, qualified certificate or a nursing school diploma

• Not have earned a baccalaureate degree

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (although there is no maximum income)

• Not owe a refund on a federal or state student financial aid grant for higher education

• Not be in default on a federal or state student financial aid loan for higher education

• Not borrowed in excess of annual federal loan limits

• Not be incarcerated at the time of application for or during the time the applicant receives the scholarship

• Complied with the United States Selective Service System requirements for registration

• Certify to be drug free

Additional Eligibility Criteria for the Traditional Student:

• Enroll full-time each semester (Fall and Spring) - 12 hours the fall semester immediately following high school graduation and 15 hours each semester thereafter. Students must enroll in required hours at one institution. 

  • Students who complete their bachelors degree at the end of a term may be enrolled in less than 15 hours and still be awarded a prorated award amount based on their hours

• Students who graduate after 2010 must also meet the following:

1. Graduate from an Arkansas public high school and has a minimum composite score on nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent test

2. Applicant who has  a disability identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,20U.S.C.§ 1400 et seq., as it existed on July 1, 2009, and graduated from an Arkansas public high school, and either:

   • Achieve a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent; or

   • Score proficient or higher on all state-mandated end-of-course assessments, including without limitation, end-of-course assessments on:

   • Algebra I;

   • Geometry;

   • Biology; and

   • Literacy, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

3. Graduate from a private or out-of-state or home school high school and achieve a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent.

4. Students who are enrolled as a full-time, first-time freshman but not receiving the Academic Challenge will also be considered Traditional if they meet the following:

   • Successfully completed at least twenty-seven (27) semester hours in the academic year immediately following high school graduation; and

   • Achieved a post secondary grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale as a full-time, first–time freshman.
      

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

1. Maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA

2. Complete 27 semester hours the first academic year and 30 semester hours each year thereafter

3. Complete all remedial courses during the first 30 hours taken after receipt of the scholarship

4. Be continuously enrolled unless student request for scholarship to be placed on hold (Maximum hold of 4 semesters)

5. Shall enroll in courses that lead toward a baccalaureate degree after:

   • Earning an Associates Degree; or

   • Having less than four semesters of funding left.

6. Will be renewed until recipient first:

   • Earns a Baccalaureate degree

   • Attempts a total of 130 semester hours in 8 semesters

   • Starting with 2016 awardees, students will be renewed until the student attempts a total of 120 semester hours, or receives 8 semesters of funding, whichever comes first.
     NOTE: If the recipient’s undergraduate degree requires additional hours, ADHE in conjunction with the student’s institution, shall determine the maximum period of time for renewal.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is June 1 of the student’s senior year in high school.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for the Nontraditional Student:

• Enroll full-time or part-time each semester (Fall and Spring) - Full-time = 15 hours, Part-time = at least 6 hours

• Meet one of the following criteria:

1. If the applicant has not been enrolled in an approved institution of higher education, has either

   • Graduated from an Arkansas public high school and achieved a 2.5 high school grade point average; or

   • Graduated from an Arkansas public high school, a private high school, an out-of- state high school, a home school high school, or obtained a high school equivalency diploma approved by the Department of Career Education and had a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent; or 

2. If the applicant has been enrolled in an approved institution of higher education, has earned a post secondary grade point average of at least 2.5 in completed courses.
    

3. Continuing Eligibility Criteria for Traditional Students

   • Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA

   • Complete 27 semester hours the first academic year and 30 semester hours each year thereafter

   • Complete all remedial courses during the first 30 hours taken after receipt of the scholarship

   • Be continuously enrolled unless student request for scholarship to be placed on hold (maximum hold of four semesters)

   • Shall enroll in courses that lead toward a baccalaureate degree after:

     • Earning an associate degree; or

     • Having less than 4 semesters of funding left

   • Will be renewed until recipient first:

     • Earns a baccalaureate degree

     • Attempts a total of 130 semester hours in 8 semesters

     • Starting with 2016 awardees, students will be renewed until the student attempts a total of 120 semester hours or receives 8 semesters of funding, whichever comes first.

     • NOTE: If the recipient’s undergraduate degree requires additional hours, ADHE, in conjunction with the student’s institution, shall determine the maximum period of time for renewal.

ACT Equivalency Chart

IF you need help signing up for the ADHE scholarships, here are some steps to use. 

Understanding Your Universal Account