The Academic Challenge Scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen, current students and non-traditional students pursuing higher education. To be eligible, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and certify they are drug free. Additionally, scholarship candidates must not be in default or owe a refund on a government financial aid loan, not be in jail when applying for or receiving the scholarship and they must not already have a baccalaureate degree. As of 2010, scholarship award amounts are $2,500 per year for those attending 2-year colleges, and $5,000 annually for those attending 4-year colleges. Application deadlines are June first and November first.
The Law Enforcement Officers' (LEO) Dependents Scholarship covers eight semesters at any Arkansas state-supported college or technical institute. Dependents of law enforcement officers, constables, game wardens, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, firefighters and volunteer firefighters are eligible if the law enforcement officer was killed or disabled in the line of duty. In addition, scholarship recipients must be an Arkansas resident, U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien and under 23 years of age. Dependents can be the officer's child, stepchild or spouse. LEO Dependents Scholarship awards do not have a set amount but will cover reimbursement of tuition, fees and dorm room costs. The scholarship will not provide reimbursement for books, food, class materials or the costs of extracurricular activities. Application deadlines are June first and November first.
The Second Effort Scholarship is for those students who earn a GED and pass the Arkansas High School Diploma test. Ten $1,000 scholarships are given out each year to the 10 people with the highest score on the test. Recipients do not need to apply for this award. Winners will be contacted by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Scholarship winners can renew the scholarship for 3 more years.
The Military Dependents Scholarship gives financial aid to a dependent child or spouse of military personnel who is missing or killed in action, disabled due to military service or a prisoner or war. Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, Arkansas residents and be admitted to an Arkansas public school of higher education. Award amounts cover tuition, mandatory fees, dorm room costs and on-campus meals which are not covered by other military dependent benefits such as Dependents Education Assistance (DEA). Applications must be made by June first and November first.