Non-Resident New Freshman Academic Scholarships

Thank you for your interest in applying for new freshman academic scholarships at the University of Arkansas. Please see the Guide to Academic Freshman Scholarships for application information. The University of Arkansas also offers a number of endowed fellowships available through the Honors College. All freshman scholarships support undergraduate programs only. Most scholarships require recipients to be U.S. citizens, legal residents of the United States, or foreign nationals permitted to pursue a course of study in the United States.

The Office of Academic Scholarships uses a holistic process to award freshman scholarships. In addition to test scores, high school grade point average, and the written scholarship application, other information, including but not limited to financial need and family educational background, may also be considered. Applications will be considered for the following scholarships, but selected students will not be awarded more than one scholarship.

New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship

  • Annual award ranging from $9,500 - $17,000 per year based on 30 hours of enrollment
  • Awarded automatically (scholarship application not required) to admitted freshmen from Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas who have a 3.20 or higher cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (test score requirement waived for summer/fall 2023 applicants)
  • See nrta.uark.edu and our Test Score Policy for additional information
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 24 hours per year and 2.75 GPA
  • The New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship serves as the university's main scholarship opportunity for non-resident students. Exceptionally well-qualified students may also receive additional merit-based scholarships or endowed fellowships. To apply, complete a scholarship application and submit ACT or SAT scores no later than the final scholarship deadline of February 1. 

Extended States New Arkansan NRTA

  • Annual award of as much as $9,500 - $15,000 per year based on 30 hours of enrollment
  • Awarded automatically (scholarship application not required) to admitted freshmen from the rest of the country who have a 3.20 or higher cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (test score requirement waived for summer/fall 2023 applicants)
  • See nrta.uark.edu and our Test Score Policy for additional information
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 24 hours per year and 2.75 GPA

Chancellor's Merit Scholarship

  • Annual award of $10,000 per year to National Merit, corporate, and University of Arkansas sponsored National Merit scholars
  • Awarded to Merit finalists who name the University of Arkansas as 1st choice to the National Merit Corporation
  • Applicants should notify the Scholarship Office at scholars@uark.edu or 479-575-4464 of selection as a semifinalist or finalist
  • Students awarded the Chancellor's Merit Scholarship also receive a New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 30 hours per year and 2.75 GPA

Chancellor's Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $8,000 per year
  • Students awarded the Chancellor's Scholarship also receive a New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 30 hours per year and 2.75 GPA
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool

Chancellor's Community Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $5,000 per year
  • Students awarded the Chancellor's Community Scholarship also receive a New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 30 hours per year and 2.75 GPA
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool who also have a demonstrable commitment to community service

Silas Hunt Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $5,000 or $8,000 per year
  • Students awarded the Silas Hunt Scholarship also receive a New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 30 hours per year and 2.75 GPA
  • Also considered: first-generation student status and demonstrated financial need.

Leadership Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $2,000 per year
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture students) with 30 hours per year and 2.75 GPA
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool

First-Year Advantage Scholarship

  • One-time award for the first year for students living in U of A housing up to $5,000
  • OR a one-time award for the first year for students living at home (within 60 miles of campus) up to $3,000
  • Need will be considered but not required