New Freshman Scholarships

All students are encouraged to apply by November 16th (postmarked) for maximum scholarship consideration. In mid-December, the Academic Scholarship Office will begin awarding scholarships to students who have applied by November 16th and continue awarding the remaining scholarships until funds are exhausted. Students who miss the November 16th deadline may apply up until February 1st for consideration as funds allow. Students must also apply for admission to the University of Arkansas to be considered for scholarships. Please consult and complete the checklist provided in the scholarship application.

Application Checklist

IMPORTANT: Make sure you type your e-mail correctly and add compete@uark.edu to your address book to receive the PDF attachment after successful submission.

  1. Apply Online
  2. Include printed PDF sent via e-mail after successful online application
  3. Include an academic resumé
  4. List 5 works (fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, history, science, education, engineering, business, etc.) you have read this year that you have most enjoyed. Include two or three sentences after each explaining your attachment to the work, placing an asterisk by those you were required to read.
  5. Write a well-developed essay on one of the two choices provided on the PDF checklist
    Consider two historical figures that you would like to invite for a dinner or conversation. Discuss a particular insight that you believe each might provide to you as you embark on your educational and professional journey and then discuss how you might apply such to your dreams and goals. (Cite sources if appropriate.)

    - OR -

    Consider an experience that has had a profound influence on any of your academic, creative, career, or service goals. Discuss how what you learned from that experience informs your future plans.
  6. Provide an official transcript with test scores
  7. Mail to: New Freshman Scholarships, Academic Scholarships, MAIN 101, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Chancellor's Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $8000 per year
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture and MAT students)
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool

Silas Hunt Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $5000 or $8000 per year
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture and MAT students)
  • Awarded to students from under-represented communities who have demonstrated outstanding academic leadership qualities and potential. Under-represented communities include, but are not limited to, under-represented ethnic or minority groups, a student with an interest in a field that does not typically attract members of his/her ethnicity or gender, residence in an under-represented county in Arkansas, or a first generation college student.

Honors College Academy Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $4000 per year
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture and MAT students)
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool

Leadership Scholarship

  • Annual award up to $2000 per year
  • Renewable for 4 years (5 years for Architecture and MAT students)
  • Awarded to top candidates from the applicant pool

Chancellor's National Merit Scholarship

  • Annual award of $10,000 per year to 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 Honors College or Academic Scholarship Office of selection as a semifinalist or finalist