New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship NRTA Eligibility Map
**Updated July 2025. Effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.**
The New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship (NRTA) is an opportunity that benefits domestic students from across the country by making tuition even more affordable. The NRTA scholarship covers the majority of the difference between out-of-state tuition and in-state tuition and is automatically granted to eligible degree-seeking students. Students must apply for admission to be considered but are not required to submit a separate scholarship application. New Arkansan NRTA recipients will be first notified on their admission profile residency statement. Awarded students will also receive additional information from the Academic Scholarship Office.
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.
Incoming new freshmen to the University of Arkansas who will complete 24 transferrable college credit hours prior to completion of their high school diploma may be reviewed for the NRTA under the new transfer student criteria.
Hours may be earned during the summer session between high school graduation and the start of University of Arkansas classes. Hours must be confirmed with an official transcript from the transfer school. However, new freshmen must submit the transcript or scores for evaluation by the Registrar and the term of completion must be prior to their University of Arkansas admit term.
This does not affect their new freshmen status or eligibility for Academic Scholarships or Fellowships. It can help a student gain the NRTA or improve their award percentage.
When the transcript has been processed confirming the hours, the student can request review from the Academic Scholarship Office by writing to scholars@uark.edu.
Eligibility Map
Select your state to view eligibility requirements and award amounts.
New Arkansan NRTA for Surrounding States
Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas
Entering freshmen must have a 3.20 or higher cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Transfer students must have at least a 3.00 or higher overall cumulative college GPA and at least 24 transferable hours.
All grade point averages are calculated to a standard 4-point scale, with weighted credit given for AP, IB, and concurrent enrollment.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 hours ("Transfer Freshmen") must meet the requirements for both entering freshmen and transfer students.
Students can continue to improve grade point averages after admission. Qualifying GPA must be earned prior to the student's first day of classes at the University of Arkansas.
The NRTA is only available to incoming new students. A student who does not meet the eligibility criteria at the time of enrollment may only become eligible for the award in a future term by receiving a University of Arkansas scholarship of $4,000 or more, pursuant to Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 516.0.
Award Amount
| Award Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| 90% | 3.80 GPA |
| 80% | 3.60 GPA |
| 70% | 3.20 GPA |
| Award Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| 90% | 3.20 cumulative GPA |
| 80% | 3.00 cumulative GPA |
The New Arkansan NRTA is awarded to entering freshmen and transfer students from Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Entering freshmen with a 3.80 or higher cumulative GPA will receive a New Arkansan NRTA that pays 90% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Entering freshmen with a 3.60 or higher cumulative GPA will receive a New Arkansan NRTA that pays 80% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Entering freshmen with a 3.20 or higher cumulative GPA will receive a New Arkansan NRTA that pays 70% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Transfer students with a 3.20 or higher cumulative transfer GPA will receive a New Arkansan NRTA that pays 90% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Transfer students with a 3.00 or higher cumulative transfer GPA will receive a New Arkansan NRTA that pays 80% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Extended States New Arkansan NRTA
Entering freshmen must have a 3.20 or higher cumulative high school GPA on a 4.00 scale.
Transfer students must have at least a 3.20 or higher overall cumulative college GPA and at least 24 transferable hours.
All grade point averages are calculated to a standard 4-point scale, with weighted credit given for AP, IB, and concurrent enrollment.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 hours ("Transfer Freshmen") must meet the requirements for both entering freshmen and transfer students.
Students can continue to improve grade point averages after admission. Qualifying GPA must be earned prior to the student's first day of classes at the University of Arkansas.
The NRTA is only available to incoming new students. A student who does not meet the eligibility criteria at the time of enrollment may only become eligible for the award in a future term by receiving a University of Arkansas scholarship of $4,000 or more, pursuant to Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 516.0.
Award Amount
| Award Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% | 3.60 GPA |
| 50% | 3.20 GPA |
| Award Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% | 3.50 cumulative GPA |
| 50% | 3.20 cumulative GPA |
Entering freshmen with a 3.60 or higher cumulative GPA will receive an Extended States New Arkansan NRTA that pays 80% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Entering freshmen with a 3.20 or higher cumulative GPA will receive an Extended States New Arkansan NRTA that pays 50% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Transfer students with a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA will receive an Extended States New Arkansan NRTA that pays 80% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. Transfer students with a 3.20 or higher cumulative GPA will receive an Extended States New Arkansan NRTA that pays 50% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Renewal Criteria
Students must complete 24 or more hours per academic year and maintain a 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA to renew the New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship. See the NRTA Renewal page for more specific criteria.
Cost of Attendance for 2025-2026
Estimated costs for a program include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, course materials, supplies and equipment, personal living expenses, and transportation. These estimated costs for the most recent academic year can be found through the Office of Financial Aid, along with our policies regarding special projects and over-awards.
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $8,092 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $10,496 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $32,690 |
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $10,197 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $12,601 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $34,795 |
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $12,302 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $14,706 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $36,900 |
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $14,408 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $16,812 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $39,006 |
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $18,619 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $21,023 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $43,217 |
| Expense | Amount in US Dollars |
| Hours | 30 |
| Tuition | $29,146 |
| Fees | $2,404 |
| Tuition/Fee Subtotal | $31,550 |
| Books | $1,216 |
| Room | $9,600 |
| Food | $5,368 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,370 |
| Transportation | $2,640 |
| Total | $53,744 |