Arkansas student grants

State grants for Arkansas students, verified on the official agency site, plus the federal grants every eligible student can get. Start with the FAFSA.

Arkansas state grants

See deadline note

Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship

$2,000 first year, rising to $5,000 in year 4 at four-year schools; plus need-based Challenge PLUS · Arkansas Division of Higher Education

Who qualifies: Arkansas residents attending an approved Arkansas college; renewal requires academic progress. Challenge PLUS adds need-based funds based on SAI.

How to apply: Apply through ADHE's YOUniversal scholarship application and file the FAFSA.

Deadline: Annual deadline (was July 1 for 2026–27) — check the official page for the 2027–28 date.

Merit-basedARGrant
Official site ↗Last verified Oct 15, 2026

Federal grants for Arkansas students

See deadline note

Federal Pell Grant

$7,395 per year (2026–27 maximum) · U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid)

Who qualifies: Undergraduates with exceptional financial need who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Amount depends on your Student Aid Index, cost of attendance and enrollment status. Does not have to be repaid.

How to apply: File the FAFSA each year; no separate application.

Deadline: Rolling — file the FAFSA as early as possible each year; schools and states set earlier priority dates.

Need-basedGrant
Official site ↗Last verified Oct 15, 2026
See deadline note

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

$100–$4,000 per year · U.S. Department of Education; awarded by each participating college

Who qualifies: Undergraduates with exceptional financial need (priority to Pell recipients). Not every college participates, and funds run out — apply early.

How to apply: File the FAFSA early and check your college's financial aid deadlines.

Deadline: First-come at each college — each school sets its own deadline for campus-based aid.

Need-basedGrant
Official site ↗Last verified Oct 15, 2026

All federal grants →

Always confirm on the official site. Grant amounts, deadlines and rules change every year and depend on state funding. We list only grants we confirmed on the administering agency's official page and show the date we last checked. We are not affiliated with any government agency.

Frequently asked questions

What state grants are available in Arkansas?

Our verified list for Arkansas includes: Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Eligible Arkansas students can also get the federal Pell Grant and FSEOG.

How do I apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship?

Apply through ADHE's YOUniversal scholarship application and file the FAFSA. Deadline: Annual deadline (was July 1 for 2026–27) — check the official page for the 2027–28 date.

How do I apply for federal and state grants?

For almost every grant on this site, the first step is the free FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Many states use the FAFSA alone; some add a short state application. File as early as you can — many state grants are first-come, first-served.

When should I file the FAFSA for 2027–28?

As soon as it opens for the year. Federal Pell has a late federal deadline, but state grants and college aid often have early priority dates or run out of money.

Do grants have to be paid back?

Generally no. A grant may have to be repaid if you withdraw early, and the TEACH Grant becomes a loan if you don't complete its teaching service requirement.

How often is this grant list checked?

Every week our checker re-opens each official grant page and flags changes for review. Each grant shows its last verified date. Last site update: Oct 15, 2026.