Deadline Nears for Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Applications

Arkansas students planning to attend college this fall have just a few weeks left to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, with the application deadline set for July 1, 2026.

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Funding Helps Thousands of Arkansas Students

This is the scholarship funded through proceeds of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and is available to Arkansas residents attending eligible two-year and four-year colleges and universities within the state. Both traditional students entering college after high school and non-traditional students returning to school may qualify.

“The lottery was founded more than 15 years ago with the mission of raising funds for in-state student scholarships, and we’re excited to see our hard work come to fruition for another year,” Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Executive Director Sharon Strong said. “We encourage Arkansans, whether they’re a high school senior or a returning student, to take the next step and apply.”

Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has funded more than 873,000 scholarships, generating more than $1.6 billion for Arkansas students through lottery ticket sales.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities Available

In addition to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, lottery proceeds help fund the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and the ACCESS to Acceleration scholarship program. Students interested in the Workforce Challenge Scholarship must apply at least 30 days before enrolling in an eligible workforce training program. The ACCESS to Acceleration program is scheduled to be fully implemented by Fall 2029 and will eventually replace the Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program.

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While the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery raises funds for the programs, scholarship awards are administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

How to Apply

Students can apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and learn more about available programs through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Additional information is available online or by calling 501-371-2000.