Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Arkansas Department of Higher Education

Here’s a clearer, teacher-friendly summary of the Governor’s Scholars (Non‑Distinguished) Scholarship — what it is, who can get it, and what you’ll need to do.

Overview
- Purpose: Provides up to $5,000 per academic year (tuition, mandatory fees, and room & board) for eligible Arkansas high school seniors. Award may be renewed up to 4 years (maximum $20,000 total).
- Who it serves: The highest scoring senior in an Arkansas county where a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar was not selected that year; OR any senior who graduates with a Diploma of Distinction; OR a student who has earned an Associate’s degree by the end of the summer semester following high school graduation.

Important deadline
- Annual application deadline: July 1

Who may apply
- Graduating high school seniors in the current academic year.
- Non‑U.S. citizens holding an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or students with a parent who has an EAD, may apply. (FAFSA is not required for these EAD cases — see contact below.)

Basic eligibility (must meet all)
- Arkansas resident for at least 12 months.
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident, OR you (or your parent) hold an EAD.
- Graduating high school senior.
- Have completed the ACT or SAT before July 1 (annual deadline).
- Complete the FAFSA (except EAD situations noted above).
- Plan to enroll in at least 15 credit hours each semester (12 credit hours is allowed during the first college semester only).

Continuing eligibility (to renew the award each year)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (4.0 scale) at the end of each academic year.
- Earn at least 27 semester credit hours in the first academic year, and at least 30 semester credit hours each year after that.

Award details and interaction with the Academic Challenge Scholarship
- Governor’s Scholars (Non‑Distinguished): up to $5,000 per year for tuition, mandatory fees, room & board (renewable up to 4 years).
- Students may accept both the Governor’s Scholars (Non‑Distinguished) Scholarship and the Academic Challenge Scholarship. If you receive both, the typical award amounts per academic year are:

For students at a 4‑year institution:
- Year 1: Academic Challenge $2,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000
- Year 2: Academic Challenge $4,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000
- Year 3: Academic Challenge $4,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000
- Year 4: Academic Challenge $5,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000

For students at a 2‑year institution (until transfer to a 4‑year):
- Year 1: Academic Challenge $2,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000
- Year 2: Academic Challenge $3,000 + Governor’s Scholars $5,000
- 5th semester (if applicable): Academic Challenge $1,000 + Governor’s Scholars $2,500

Notes and next steps
- Be sure you’ve taken the ACT or SAT before July 1 and complete the FAFSA unless you qualify for the EAD exception.
- Keep copies of transcripts and credit-hour documentation so you can show you meet the continuing eligibility requirements.
- Questions about eligibility (especially EAD situations) or other specifics: contact the office at 501-371-1064.

If you want, I can help you make a checklist for your application (ACT/SAT dates, FAFSA steps, transcript requests, deadlines).