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State Scholarships & Grants

State Scholarships & Grants

Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) Scholarships & Grants

Descriptions and application deadlines for state scholarships and grants distributed the through Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) are available at http://scholarships.adhe.edu. Students may apply by completing one, YOUniversal application at www.adhe.edu. See a high school counselor or the Financial Aid Office for more information about any of these opportunities. 

Arkansas Academic Challenge

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. Award is made based on the applicant's meeting minimum standards with regard to the ACT composite score or ACT equivelant score. The student can apply online by completing the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship form by the specified deadline and must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify.

Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture)

Arkansas Future (ArFuture), is a state grant that aims to increase the education and skills of Arkansas’s workforce in an affordable manner.  The grant applies to students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) or regional high demand areas of study.  The grant covers tuition and fees for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs at Arkansas public institutions for eligible students.  The grant is available on a first come, first serve basis.

UA Cossatot programs that currently may be eligible for ArFuture funding include 

  • Associate of Science – STEM,
  • Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Science – Natural Resources
  • EMT
  • Medical Assisting
  • Nursing (PNRN)
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Welding

Students apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completing the YOUniversal application at www.adhe.edu by the specified deadline.

Law Enforcement Officers’ Dependents Scholarship (LEO)

LEO provides a 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.

Students must complete the YOUniversal application at www.adhe.edu by specified deadline to be eligible for this scholarship. For other infromation, please visit adhe.edu.

Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS)

MDS provides a 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.

Students must complete the YOUniversal application at www.adhe.edu by specified deadline to be eligible for this scholarship. For other infromation, please visit adhe.edu.

Other State Scholarships & Grants

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

UA Cossatot cooperates with the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services offices in placing students in approved training programs. Area rehabilitation counselors determine the benefits that students receive from this program. Arkansas Rehabilitation Texarkana office serves the following counties:  Howard, Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Polk, Pike and Sevier.  Contact the Arkansas Rehabilitation Counselor at (870) -773-2807.

American Indian

UA Cossatot collaborates with the American Indian Center offices in placing students in approved degree programs. American Indian Center counselors determine the benefits that students receive from this program. Contact the AIC Office 1-800-441-4513 or visit American Indian website at: www.arindianctr.org

Single Parent Scholarship

The purpose of our Single Parent Scholarships is to provide supplemental financial assistance to those single parents living in Arkansas who are pursuing a course of instruction that will improve their income-earning potential. Single Parent Scholarships are listed by county.  Applications and deadlines are available on line at www.aspsf.org.

Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a program that can help people get employed and/or trained in preparation for employment.  WIA of Southwest Arkansas has funding available for adult students, 18 and up, who are currently enrolled and are in one or more of the following categories.   

  • Students with outstanding balances
  • Students who have reached their maximum time to receive federal financial aid
  • Students seeking funding for summer school
  • Students who have been laid off, received notice of lay off or termination, or have been dislocated (dislocated workers)
  • Spouses (displaced homemakers) totally dependent upon the income of persons who have lost their income (dislocated workers)

WIA staff has a list of approved programs to discuss when students call.  Students are encouraged to call WIA staff to see if they meet eligibility requirements.  A person does not have to be unemployed to qualify, but there are income guidelines that will determine eligibility for all applicants.

Residents of the following counties should call the appropriate case manager:

  • Ouachita, Dallas, Calhoun – Kimberly Frazier, 870.837.6910
  • Hempstead, Sevier, Nevada – LaTracey Mason, 870.777.0810
  • Little River, Howard, Miller – Carolyn Woods, 870.777.0804
  • Columbia, Lafayette, Union – Lucy Carr, 870.864.6911

Interested students should leave a voicemail for the appropriate WIA case manager, if they are unavailable.  If a student’s phone call is not returned within 24 hours, students should contact Patrick Carter at 870.235.7507.

Open training slots could fill at any time, based upon the availability of funding.  Therefore, students should remember this is a first-come, first-serve process and not all applicants will meet program requirements.