ADHE Scholarship Application Management System - Search Scholarship

Overview: The Lottery Scholarship That Keeps Arkansas Students Home

Funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, the Academic Challenge Scholarship (ACS) is the state’s signature program to keep residents enrolled in Arkansas colleges. Award amounts start at $1,000 for freshmen at two-year colleges, $5,000 for first-year students at four-year institutions, and adjust as you progress toward graduation. Because the scholarship is renewable for up to 120 attempted credit hours, it can cover a substantial portion of tuition over four years. In 2025, Arkansas updated credit completion rules and added an accelerated application review for adult learners, making this scholarship more accessible than ever.

Eligibility Deep Dive

Residency and Graduation Requirements

Applicants must either be Arkansas residents or have graduated from an Arkansas high school (public, private, or homeschool). Residency typically requires living in Arkansas for at least 12 months prior to enrollment and demonstrating intent to remain through driver’s licenses, voter registration, or tax filings. Homeschool graduates must have completed the state’s Notice of Intent to homeschool and provide transcripts.

Academic Criteria

Traditional students qualify with a minimum ACT composite of 19 (or SAT equivalent). Alternatively, completing the Smart Core curriculum with at least a 2.5 GPA also meets eligibility. For students who graduate high school without meeting the ACT benchmark, Arkansas offers a “success completion” pathway: complete 12 college credits with a 2.5 GPA before applying, and you can still qualify. Adult learners (over 24) can qualify with a cumulative 2.5 GPA on 12 completed college credits in the past five years.

FAFSA Requirement and Financial Need

While the scholarship is not strictly need-based, you must file the FAFSA to coordinate aid and verify you are not in default on federal loans. The state uses FAFSA data to confirm citizenship, Selective Service registration, and other compliance factors. Filing early also helps you access other grants like the Arkansas Future Grant or state-funded STEM scholarships.

Enrollment Intensity and Credit Completion

Recipients must enroll in at least 15 credit hours each fall and spring semester at an approved Arkansas college. You must complete 27 hours by the end of your first academic year and 30 hours each subsequent year with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students attending two-year colleges must complete 12 hours per semester to maintain eligibility, with 30 hours annually. Summer enrollment can help you make up credits if you fall short; however, scholarship funds do not cover summer tuition, so plan accordingly.

Application Roadmap

October–December: Create an account in the YOUniversal Scholarship portal (sams.adhe.edu). File the FAFSA as soon as it opens and link it to YOUniversal.
January–March: Gather documentation such as transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and homeschool verification if applicable.
April–June: Complete the YOUniversal application, selecting the Academic Challenge Scholarship. Verify all personal information—Social Security numbers, addresses, and intended college.
July 1 Deadline: Submit your application by July 1. The system timestamps submissions; late applications are not accepted.
July–August: Monitor the portal for status updates. Complete any requested verification (citizenship, Selective Service, GPA). Accept the award once your status reads “Awarded.”
August: Enroll in required credit hours and attend mandatory orientation or advising sessions at your college.

Maximizing Your Scholarship

Stack with Arkansas Future (ArFuture) Grant: If you enroll in high-demand fields at two-year colleges, you can combine ACS with ArFuture to cover remaining tuition and fees.
Take Advantage of Concurrent Credit: High school students earning dual credit can accelerate degree completion. However, be mindful of the 120-hour lifetime cap; too many credits before college can reduce future eligibility.
Use Summer to Catch Up: If you fall short of required hours, take summer classes at your institution. Although ACS funds do not cover summer tuition, finishing credits avoids losing eligibility.
Participate in Academic Support: Utilize tutoring centers, writing labs, and mentoring programs. Maintaining a 2.5 GPA ensures renewal and positions you for institutional scholarships.
Appeal Strategically: If you experience medical issues or family emergencies, file an appeal with supporting documentation to retain the scholarship despite credit or GPA shortfalls.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Treat the ACS as a foundational piece of your financial package. Build a budget that includes tuition, fees, housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Allocate the scholarship toward tuition and mandatory fees first, then use Pell Grants or institutional aid for housing and books. Consider work-study or part-time employment to cover personal expenses without increasing loan debt. Track disbursement dates—funds typically release after census, so ensure you have resources to cover initial expenses such as textbooks.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Missing the 15-Credit Requirement: Dropping below 15 credits mid-semester can trigger probation or cancellation. Consult advisors before withdrawing from classes.
Late FAFSA or YOUniversal Submission: Even if you meet academic criteria, missing the July 1 deadline disqualifies you for the year.
GPA Slips: A cumulative GPA below 2.5 leads to probation. Use academic alerts to seek tutoring early.
Failure to Renew: You must reapply each year via YOUniversal and file the FAFSA. Failure to renew by the deadline cancels future awards.
Transfer Confusion: If you transfer between Arkansas institutions, update YOUniversal immediately so funds route correctly. Transferring out-of-state ends eligibility.

Special Populations

Nontraditional Students

Adult learners returning after workforce or military service can leverage the 2.5 GPA on 12 recent credits pathway. Many Arkansas colleges offer evening, weekend, and online programs to help you meet the 15-credit requirement. Communicate with advisors about credit pacing; some institutions approve academic plans that include summer credits to reach 30 hours annually.

Military Families

Active-duty military stationed in Arkansas qualify as residents. Dependents should gather proof of service (orders, LES statements) to expedite residency verification. If deployment interrupts studies, file an appeal to pause the scholarship without losing eligibility.

STEM and High-Demand Majors

Students pursuing STEM majors can pair ACS with the Arkansas STEM Scholarship or the Regional Workforce Grant. Work with financial aid to ensure funds stack without reducing the ACS amount. Internships and co-ops may affect credit loads; plan ahead to maintain 15 credits or request approval for alternative schedules.

Homeschool Graduates

Submit detailed transcripts, course descriptions, and standardized test scores. Consider taking the ACT multiple times to meet the 19 composite. If you fall short, enroll in concurrent or early college programs to build the 12-credit, 2.5 GPA needed for alternative eligibility.

Renewal Checklist

October: File FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
November: Log into YOUniversal to renew your application.
December: Verify fall grades and credit completion. Schedule spring classes to ensure 15 credits.
May: Confirm you completed 27 or 30 hours for the year. If short, register for summer courses.
July: Check YOUniversal for renewal status and submit any required documents.

Support Resources

Arkansas Division of Higher Education Help Desk: Provides application assistance via phone and email.
College Financial Aid Offices: Assist with appeals, credit planning, and SAP monitoring.
Arkansas Career Coach Program: Offers mentoring for first-generation and low-income students in high school to prepare for application.
University Student Success Centers: Offer tutoring, study skills workshops, and time management coaching.

Final Thoughts

The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship transforms lottery ticket sales into college degrees for Arkansans. Treat the application and renewal process with the seriousness of a job contract: meet deadlines, maintain academic momentum, and communicate proactively with advisors. With disciplined planning, the scholarship can carry you from freshman year to graduation without crippling debt.