University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: Financial Aid
Policy Number: LR 508.1
Effective Date: April 23, 2014
Revised Dates: April 1, 2010; April 23, 2014
Most Recent Review Date:
Policy
UA Little Rock offers aid from various sources, including federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations, to help students pay for their studies. Financial aid and scholarships are meant to supplement a student’s ability to pay for college costs, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and other educational expenses.
To be eligible for any form of financial aid, a student must be accepted for admission with an eligible admission status and be enrolled at UA Little Rock as a degree‐seeking student. Students who wish to apply for financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) each year. Students may apply online at fasfa.gov. Applications are available in January of each year and students are encouraged to apply early. Additional financial aid information can be obtained by calling 501-916-3035 or by e‐mailing financialaid@ualr.edu.
Financial Aid
Financial aid available to UA Little Rock students includes grants, loans, scholarships, and employment. Aid packages can include a combination of different types of aid, as follows:
- Grants: Financial aid that the recipient does not have to pay back.
- Loans: Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.
- Scholarships: Gift aid with eligibility based on academic achievements, talents, skills, or merit.
- Employment: Part‐time on‐campus and community service jobs that allow the student to earn money to help pay for school.
The majority of the financial aid available at UA Little Rock is provided by the federal government. The State of Arkansas also provides student aid, as do UA Little Rock and its contributors.
Federal Aid
The U.S. Department of Education provides funding for grants, student loans, scholarships, and employment. Most awards are based on financial need; some are based on merit. Federal student aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work Study, and various scholarship awards. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application required for all federal financial aid and can be completed on‐line at fafsa.gov. The UA Little Rock school code is 001101.
State Aid
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) provides loans, grants, and scholarships to Arkansas residents enrolled at UA Little Rock. Award criteria include financial need, academic achievement, and/or study of specific subjects. For additional information about financial aid, call ADHE at 800. 54.STUDY, or in the Little Rock area, 501-371-2050, or visit adhe.edu.
Private Aid
UA Little Rock offers scholarships and grants‐in‐aid provided by institutional and departmental funds, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Eligibility requirements vary. Criteria for different scholarships include academic achievement, demonstrated talent or ability, a specific major or student classification, university or community involvement, and/or financial need. Some scholarships are available for part‐time students.
The deadline to apply for UA Little Rock scholarships is March 1 for the coming academic year. Different scholarships have different final deadlines. Learn more about scholarship opportunities at ualr.edu/scholarships. Scholarships may be awarded for academic merit, talent, or in support of your academic program of study. Students are encouraged to apply for the many funding opportunities.
UA Little Rock Scholarships
UA Little Rock offers a number of competitive scholarships. Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Scholarships are awarded to freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership capability in high school activities. Donaghey Scholars Honors Program Scholarships are most often awarded to high school seniors with exceptional academic promise. See “Academic Policies & Requirements” on page 25 for specific academic or talent awards and scholarships, or contact the appropriate department.
EIT Scholar Scholarships are awarded to outstanding entering students in Computer Science, Information Science, and Systems Engineering. EAST Scholarships are available to selected students who participated in the EAST Program in high school. Science Scholars is a scholarship and enrichment program for students majoring in biology, chemistry, and earth science.
Entering Freshman Scholarships are based on availability of funds and awarded to selected high school seniors who meet the February 1 final deadline and have at least an ACT composite score of 24. Freshman Award may also be available to students with an ACT composite score of at least 22. There are also scholarships available to students transferring from Arkansas public junior and community colleges. Applications and further information for these scholarships are available online at ualr.edu/scholarships. Students are encouraged to apply by the December 1 priority deadline.
Transfer students with a minimum 3.25 cumulative college GPA and at least 45 transferable hours at time of application from an Arkansas two-year college should apply for the Shelby Breedlove Junior Transfer Scholarship.
Private Scholarships and Awards
Private scholarships are made possible through the generosity of individual and/or corporate donations. UA Little Rock donors are deeply committed to the mission of UA Little Rock and the promise of UA Little Rock students. Learn more at ualr.edu/scholarships/private. The annual application deadline is always March 1.
Private Aid
Discover free scholarship searches that can identify miscellaneous scholarships. Small scholarships can add up to cover your expenses. Great free searches include fundmyfuture.info and fastweb.com. Also, findaid.org/scholarships contains a wealth of great information on scholarship searches.
Applying for Nationally Recognized Scholarships and Fellowships
As applications for the more prestigious scholarships often must be made while the student is still an undergraduate, students are encouraged to think ahead and start work on the application process at the earliest possible time. Commencing research on scholarship possibilities during the freshman year is not too early. UA Little Rock offers considerable support and assistance to undergraduate students seeking scholarships for graduate study. The university has had recent winners in the Truman, Rhodes, and Mellon competitions, and has had many students win other prestigious national awards and scholarships. Students are encouraged to aim high in their scholarship goals, and take advantage of the assistance and advice that professors at UA Little Rock can offer.
Students should visit ualr.edu/fellowships for further information on the Truman Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, James Madison Fellowship, National Security Education Fellowship (all of which fund graduate study); and the National Security Education Scholarship, Udall, and Goldwater Scholarships (which fund undergraduate study). The website includes for each scholarship a statement of the purpose for which the sponsoring institution is underwriting the funding; an overview of the eligibility requirements; some remarks on important features of the written application; a description of the application process and summary of deadlines; and the person on campus to contact for further information. Interested students should inquire early. Call 501-569-8399, for general information or a referral to the appropriate scholarship advisor.
Veterans Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides basic programs for veterans and service members seeking assistance for education or training. Veterans and service members who entered the military from January 1, 1977 through June 30, 1985 may receive educational assistance under the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) contributory plan. Individuals entering on active duty after June 30, 1985 may receive benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill contributory plan. Another educational entitlement program, referred to as the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (chapter 1606 and 1607 REAP), is available for members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard. Note: The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Please visit the website gibill.va.gov or call 1.888.GIBILL.1 for additional information.
The noncontributory GI Bill ended on December 31, 1989. No benefits are payable for any training pursued on or after January 1, 1990 under this bill.
Monthly educational assistance benefits are based on the number of hours of enrollment. Full‐time enrollment for an undergraduate student during fall and spring terms is 12 hours or more; three‐quarter enrollment is 9 to 11hours; half‐time enrollment is 6 to 8 hours. For fewer than six hours only tuition and fees are reimbursed, except in the case of the MGIB for Selected Reserve/National Guard (Chapter 1606), these benefits are based on one‐fourth of the full‐time amount. Full‐time enrollment for graduate students during fall and spring terms is 9 hours or more; three-quarters enrollment is 6 to 8 hours; half‐time enrollment is 3 to 5 hours.
Summer benefits for both graduate and undergraduate students are based on the number of hours enrolled and the number of weeks in the term.
There are survivors/dependents benefits for eligible persons. For further information, contact the VA Regional Office at 800-827-1000.
Other services available under the Veteran’s Affairs educational benefits include tutorial assistance, educational loans, and work‐study.
Students classified as non-degree seeking or provisional may be eligible to receive Veteran’s Education benefits for one semester. All eligible persons wishing to apply for Veteran’s Affairs educational benefits should contact the Office of Financial Aid at 501-916-3035.
Source: UA Little Rock Undergraduate Catalog
Status: Active
Originator:
Approved By: Existing Policy
Custodian: Office of Financial Aid