The University of Arkansas annually awards over $50 million of financial aid and scholarships to its students. Financial aid is divided into the categories of grants, work, loans, and scholarships. Unless otherwise specified, a student needs to complete only two forms to apply for all these basic types of assistance: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which analyzes the ability of the student's family to pay for college, and the University's Application for Admission. These forms collect information used by the Office of Student Financial Services and the scholarship committees of the colleges in determining awards. In some cases, copies of the parents' and/or student's tax returns are needed. Since many scholarship awards are determined by multiple criteria, scholarship applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED
To determine financial need a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students must release their information to the University of Arkansas and the financial aid agency within the State. To do so, you MUST fill in the college release section, with the Title IV Code 001108 for the University of Arkansas.
A student should submit the FAFSA for processing so that the results will reach the Office of Student Financial Services on or before the April 1 priority deadline. All federally-funded financial aid will be awarded on the basis of need as reflected by the FAFSA.
The Student Aid Report (consisting of several pages) will be sent directly to the student by the Central Processing Service. The student must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment before application for financial aid can be considered. To receive financial aid, the student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree, as defined by the University of Arkansas. (See "Satisfactory Academic Progress.")
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Apply for admission to the University, if not currently enrolled or admitted.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit to the Office of Student Financial Services according to the deadlines listed below.
All scholarship applicants must be admitted to the University by March 1. However, please check with your department for earlier deadlines and additional forms.
All financial aid applicants must also submit The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (See "Determining Financial Need.")
To receive priority consideration for financial aid, all forms and applications must be received by the Office of Student Financial Services by April 1. Students are encouraged to apply even if they miss the April 1 priority deadline since limited funds are often available after the priority date.
A student has several choices concerning processing their FAFSA. These include mailing the form to the Federal Student Aid Programs, submitting it electronically on the world wide web (www.FAFSA.Ed.Gov) or submitting a completed FAFSA to the Student Financial Services Office to submit the financial information electronically. The processing time for electronic applications is 2 weeks, and processing time for mailed applications is 4-6 weeks.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Federal regulation requires that a student must be making satisfactory academic progress regardless of whether he or she has previously received Title IV aid.
All students enrolled at the University of Arkansas who receive financial aid through the Title IV Assistance Programs must meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements as defined below to be eligible for further aid.
Satisfactory academic progress is deemed to have been made by any undergraduate student who meets both the quantitative and qualitative requirements indicated below.
QUANTITATIVE REQUIREMENTS
An undergraduate student must enroll in and successfully complete (pass), as a minimum, the hours of credit indicated below. All students will be allowed one year beyond the average expected degree completion time to complete a degree for financial aid considerations.
Year In College 1st calendar year 2nd calendar year 3rd calendar year 4th calendar year 5th calendar year |
Hours Per Calendar Year 18 hours 24 hours 27 hours 27 hours complete degree* |
Cumulative Hours 18 hours 42 hours 69 hours 96 hours complete degree* |
*Students enrolled in a four-year program are allowed five years to complete a degree as illustrated in the chart. Students in Engineering are permitted a total of five and one-half years to complete the degree, provided the required hours per year are earned. Students in Architecture are permitted a total of six years to complete the degree, provided the required hours per year are earned. Students pursuing an Associate's Degree are permitted a total of three years to complete the degree, provided the required hours per year are earned.
Students who return to work toward an additional undergraduate degree are permitted two calendar years to complete the degree for financial aid considerations, not withstanding the length of the degree program. No petitions for an extended period will be permitted. Full time students will be expected to enroll in and successfully earn a minimum of 27 hours for the first calendar year to gain consideration for the second calendar year. The same qualitative requirements exist as for a student working toward a first undergraduate degree.
Students who are awarded aid as part-time students, who attend on a part-time basis, or who attend for only one semester within the calendar year are required to complete a proportionate number of credit hours.
The "year in college" for transfer students will be computed for periods of enrollment at other institutions on the same basis as for students enrolled at the University of Arkansas, irrespective of the transferability of the courses.
The determination of each student's meeting the quantitative requirements of satisfactory progress will be made for each fall semester immediately following the conclusion of the previous spring semester. Students who plan to attend summer school to accumulate sufficient credit to be eligible to receive financial aid for the fall semester must notify the Financial Aid Office of their plans.
QUALITATIVE REQUIREMENTS
An undergraduate student is deemed to have met the qualitative requirements for satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes provided the student's academic standing is other than one of the following: continued on academic probation, continued on academic probation following suspension or dismissal, academic suspension, or academic dismissal. The qualitative requirements for satisfactory academic progress are determined each semester as well as for summer school.
GRADUATE AND LAW STUDENTS
Satisfactory academic progress for graduate and law students is determined by other criteria. Students pursuing such degrees may receive financial aid through the federally supported programs (if otherwise qualified) as long as they meet their school's or department's academic requirements.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, awards over 5,000 scholarships totaling more than $9 million for its students each year. This total does not include funds that support such external scholarships held by U of A students as Governor's Scholarships or Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Scholarships funded by the University fall into two broad categories: academic scholarships and special skill and interest scholarships.
Academic scholarships are either general University scholarships or those awarded by a specific academic area (college, department, or program). The general scholarships are awarded to new students by the Admissions Office in conjunction with the University Scholarship Review Committee. More specific scholarships are awarded to upper-class students whose scholastic performance at the University serves as a criterion for the awards.
Special skill and interest scholarships are awarded to new or continuing students on the basis of skills and performance in music (including band) and athletics, or on the basis of an interest in a military career (Army and Air Force scholarships).
Information about scholarship opportunities at the University is available from the Office of Admission or the Office of Student Financial Services. Students may also obtain specific information about scholarship opportunities from the University departments that award them. The following listing of scholarship programs is provided to demonstrate the scope of scholarship opportunities at the University of Arkansas. Space in this catalog does not permit an all-inclusive listing.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NEW STUDENTS
General University Scholarships
The Bodenhamer Foundation, acting through its trustee, Lee Bodenhamer (BSBA 1957, MBA 1961), established the Bodenhamer Fellowships to begin in the fall of 1998. The Bodenhamer Fellowships, among the most competitive and prestigious scholarships in the nation, encourage Arkansas' brightest and best high school students to pursue any course of study that leads to a baccalaureate degree at the University of Arkansas. Bodenhamer Fellows will receive up to $44,000 for four years of study or up to $55,000 for five years if the student is pursuing an accredited five-year degree program. The rigorous requirements for the Bodenhamer Fellowship include 1) an ACT composite score of at least 32, or an SAT score of at least 1420, or to be a National Merit Semifinalist; 2) evidence of strong leadership qualities in school, civic, church, or other organizations; 3) proficiency in a second language or willingness to become proficient; 4) a superior high school grade point average in a college preparatory curriculum; 5) agreement to conduct personal and professional affairs with the utmost integrity, thereby serving as a role model for other students. To apply for the Bodenhamer Fellowships visit the following web site: http://pigtrail.uark.edu/depts/chancellor/bodenhamer/. For information call (479) 575-3433 or e-mail bhamer@comp.uark. edu.
A limited number of academic scholarships also are awarded to entering freshmen and transfer students. Selection criteria include national test scores (ACT or SAT), grade-point average, National Merit or National Achievement recognition, quality and quantity of courses taken, and other pertinent factors.
The following regulations govern the general University scholarships described below:
1. March 1 is the scholarship deadline for entering freshmen and March 15 for entering transfer students. The applicant must be admitted to the University by the above mentioned deadline to be considered for these scholarships.
2. An "entering freshman" is defined as a student who has not enrolled in another post-secondary institution in a fall or spring semester following graduation from high school.
3. Eligibility for renewal of general University scholarships is determined at the end of the spring semester each "year." For this purpose, a "year" is defined as an academic year composed of summer sessions, fall semester, and spring semester, in this order.
4. These scholarships are generally awarded per academic year to cover the fall and spring terms, up to an eight semester maximum. Renewal criteria is evaluated every two fall or spring semesters.
5. Students who are placed on academic probation forfeit their scholarships effective the semester of probation.
College and Departmental Scholarships
The following college and departmental scholarships are available to entering freshmen at the University of Arkansas. Complete addresses and phone numbers of the colleges, schools, or departments listed below can be found in the respective college or school sections of this catalog.
School of Architecture
Herbert Thomas Memorial Academic Scholarship is available to an entering freshman with outstanding high school records and ACT (or SAT) scores. This scholarship carries an annual stipend of $750. It is renewable annually to the recipient who maintains a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in either the Bachelor of Architecture degree program or the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree program and makes satisfactory progress toward the degree. (Recipients must carry a minimum of fourteen hours of work each semester.) Upon graduation or forfeiture by the recipient, another scholarship is awarded.
Mary Pipkin Johnson Memorial Scholarship is available to a freshman entering the School of Architecture in the amount of $1,000. This funding is based on high school performance and promise of professional ability. The scholarship continues as long as a 3.00 grade-point average is maintained by the recipient in the architecture or landscape architecture program. Upon graduation or forfeiture by the recipient, another scholarship is awarded.
Martha Marie Pedersen Memorial Scholarship is available in the amount of $1,000 to an entering freshman in the School of Architecture. The student must have a 3.25 GPA and a strong work ethic. Special consideration will be given to an individual with high morals who has proven themselves to be a well-rounded student. This scholarship is renewable as long as a 3.00 cumulative grade point average is maintained. Upon graduation or forfeiture by the recipient, another scholarship is awarded.
Professional Advisory Board Freshman Scholarship. The recipient of this award is chosen by past academic success. He or she must show promise as a future professional in the field of architecture. It is open to a student interested in either architecture or landscape architecture in the amount of $1,000.
The EDI Architecture, Inc. First Year Scholarship, in the amount of $500, is available annually to an entering freshman who wishes to study architecture. Preference will be given to a student with proven academic success who shows a financial need.
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
The Sturgis Endowment for Academic Excellence, awarded by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, provides for undergraduate fellowships each in the amount of $43,000 over four years to exceptionally talented students with the intellectual potential to become future leaders in society. Sturgis Fellows participate in the four-year Fulbright College Scholars Program and will receive financial support for the pursuit of optimal intellectual growth. For information contact the Director of Honors Studies, Fulbright College.
The James Victor Spencer, Jr., Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to freshmen entering the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Recipients must be Arkansas residents at the time of high school graduation. For additional information write to: Associate Dean, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
The Dean Robbin C. Anderson Scholarships are awarded to students transferring into the Fulbright College from Arkansas junior or community colleges. To be eligible for consideration, students must be ranked in the highest ten percent of their classes. For additional information write to: Associate Dean, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
The University of Arkansas Physics Department awards scholarships in the amount of $500 to selected freshmen entering the U of A as physics majors. The awards are renewable for four years on the basis of academic achievement. Recipients are selected on the basis of both overall achievement in science/math and on demonstrated interest in physics or astrophysics. Application deadline March 1. For application forms and additional information, write to: Physics Scholarships, Department of Physics.
The Jacob and Wilma Sacks Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to freshmen entering the University with a major in chemistry. The awards are in the amount of $500 a year and are renewable for four years on the basis of academic achievement in a chemistry program. For additional information, write to: Chairman, Department of Chemistry.
The Department of History awards the Sidney Moncrief Scholarship and the David W. Edwards Scholarship. The Sidney Moncrief Scholarship is awarded to an entering history major or minor interested in the study of black history. The initial award of $300 is renewable for up to four years. The David W. Edwards Scholarship provides $3,000 for the academic year and is renewable for four years on the basis on achievement. All current history majors, incoming freshmen and transfer students intending to major in history are eligible. Applications for either of these scholarships must be submitted by March 1. For additional information write to: the Moncrief Scholarship Committee or the David W. Edwards Scholarship Committee, Department of History.
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
Scholarships are available through each of the nine academic departments and the School of Human Environmental Sciences, as well as the College. For further information regarding scholarships in this College, write to Dean's Office, Agriculture Building, Room 206, or see page 96 in this catalog.
College of Business Administration
Scholarships are available through the departments of Accounting, Computer Information & Quantitative Analysis, Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing & Transportation as well as through the College's general scholarship program. Scholarships are primarily awarded on the basis of academic achievement and/or financial need.
For further information on scholarships in this college, write to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Undergraduate Studies, BA 328.
College of Education and Health Professions
As with other U of A colleges, the College of Education and Health Professions has competitive scholarships available to upper-class students who have demonstrated scholastic promise during enrollment at the University. Scholarships are generally awarded on the basis of academic achievement, financial need and academic promise. For detailed information, see College of Education and Health Professions scholarships on page 394.
College of Engineering
The College of Engineering offers scholarships on a competitive basis to upper-class students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. The College and departments have a limited number of scholarships available to entering freshmen who have an outstanding record of achievement in high school. For more information write to the various departments or the Dean's office.
Participants in the Transition Retention Minority Engineering Program (TRMEP) may be eligible for awards in the academic year following the summer TRMEP class. Recipients must present competitive grade-point averages and national test scores. For additional information write to: Director, Minority Engineering Programs, College of Engineering.
Special Scholarships
Arkansas Alumni Association Scholarships
The Arkansas Alumni Association awards two four-year Arkansas Alumni Association Scholarships per academic year to high school seniors planning to attend the University of Arkansas. Selection is based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, applicant's letter of application as well as extra-curricular and community involvement.
The Arkansas Scholarship recipients are automatically considered from applicants for the Arkansas Alumni Scholarship. Candidates are selected from various regions across the state, therefore the recipients must be Arkansas resident. Number of scholarships awarded depend on funds made available by the sale of the Razorback Collegiate License Plates.
Arkansas Alumni Chapter Scholarships are funded by participating alumni chapters across the country in order to encourage high school seniors from their geographical areas to attend the University of Arkansas. Recipients are condsidered from applicants for the Arkansas Alumni Scholarship.
Application deadline for above scholarships is March 1.
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is available to out-of-state students with a parent who is a UAF graduate as well as a current member of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Selection criteria includes national test scores (ACT or SAT) and grade point average.
Contact the Alumni Association Scholarship Coordinator for information at 501/575-2801.
Music and Band
The Music Department offers scholarships for talented students who sing or play instruments. Music and Band Scholarships are available to music majors and to students majoring in other areas who participate in ensembles. The largest scholarships can cover the cost of the registration fee. All music scholarships require an audition. To set up an audition, contact the Music Department at 575-4701 or the Band Office (for the Marching Band) at 575-4100.
Air Force and Army ROTC
The Air Force and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps programs offer a number of scholarship opportunities for entering freshmen and on-campus students.
Four-year Air Force ROTC scholarships pay tuition, a variable book allowance, some fees, and a stipend of $150 per academic month. Four-year scholarship winners also receive room and board in a residence hall provided by the University. The application period for these four-year scholarships is June 1 to December 1 of the year preceding enrollment in the freshman year. All Air Force ROTC scholarships will cover out-of-state tuition.
Air Force ROTC also offers scholarships ranging from 2 to 3 years for students already enrolled at the University, as well as the Professional Officers Corps Incentive (POCI) which provides $1,000 per semester for the junior and senior year. Requests for application and inquiries concerning eligibility requirements should be made to Air Force ROTC, University of Arkansas, or phone (479) 575-3651.
Four-year Army ROTC scholarships are awarded competitively on a nationwide basis to U.S. high school students. The scholarship pays tuition and fees, $450 per year for books, and a stipend of $150 per month to the recipient.
Application deadlines are July 15th for early-cycle consideration and November 15th for regular-cycle consideration. Students are encouraged to apply during the spring semester of their high school junior year.
Four-year Army ROTC scholarship recipients who score a minimum of 24 on the ACT (1010 SAT) will receive free room and board provided by the University. Application packets are available from the Professor of Military Science, telephone (479) 575-4251.
Other scholarships are available to enrolled college students. These range from two-year guaranteed reserve forces duty scholarships to three-year on-campus and active duty scholarships. It is not necessary to be enrolled in Army ROTC to compete for these scholarships. Application deadline is March 1st.
Scholarship recipients normally require an active duty obligation of 2-4 years following graduation and commissioning.
Contact the Professor of Military Science for information at 575-4251.
VETERANS BENEFITS
The University of Arkansas is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education for veterans and veterans' beneficiaries who are working toward a degree. Veterans of recent military service, service members, members of reserve units, and the dependents of certain other servicemen may be entitled to educational assistance payments under the following programs: Title 38, Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill for Veterans; Title 38, Chapter 32, Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP); Title 38, Chapter 35, Survivors and Dependents Education; and Title 10, Chapter 106, Montgomery GI Bill for Selective Reserves.
All students must be working toward a degree and should follow the curriculum outline for their objectives, since only specific courses may be applied toward VA certification and graduation. Persons eligible for educational benefits should contact the Office of the Registrar for information.