Admissions

UCA

You’re In! Welcome to Bear Country.

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Central Arkansas! Your college journey is getting real, and we’re excited to help you get ready for your first semester at UCA.

There are a few things to take care of between now and your first day of class. Use this page as your guide to important next steps, deadlines, and opportunities along the way.

Application Status Page Visit Campus

First Things First

✓ Get connected to UCA

Your myUCA account gives you access to the tools you’ll use as a student, including your UCA email, housing portal, financial aid information, and more.

Use the username and password provided on your admission letter to log in to myUCA and start checking your UCA email regularly as you prepare for enrollment.

Troubles logging in? IT can help!

myUCA

 

✓ Check for any remaining admission items

Being admitted is a major milestone, but you may still have a few items to complete before you can register for classes.

Check your admission information and make sure UCA has any required documents. Incoming freshmen must provide documentation of two MMR immunizations or an approved exemption before registration. Students admitted through UCA’s test-optional pathway will also need ACT, SAT, CLT or Accuplacer scores for course placement before registering.

Application Status Page

Your Bear Country Timeline

📅 October 1 | Start planning for the year ahead

Several important applications open in the fall. You don’t have to complete everything in one day, but starting early gives you more time to explore your options.

✓ Complete the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine your eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

When completing your FAFSA, add the University of Central Arkansas using school code 001092.

Start your FAFSA

 

✓ Apply for Housing

Ready to start picturing your home at UCA? Complete the UCA Housing application through your myUCA via the My Housing tile.

Incoming freshmen complete the housing application and submit a $100 housing deposit as part of the process. Applying earlier gives Housing more opportunity to consider your residence hall and roommate preferences. The deposit serves as a placeholder for your room assignment, but don’t worry – it’s refundable as long as you notify us by May 10.

Launch My Housing

 

✓ Explore UCA Scholarships & Aid

Admission to UCA opens the door to several scholarship opportunities. Depending on your eligibility, you may want to explore:

Some scholarships require an additional application, while our institutional academic scholarships use information already submitted with your UCA admission application for consideration.

Review Freshman Scholarship Information

 

✓ Arkansas Students: Apply for UCA Commitment & State Aid

UCA Commitment provides last-dollar scholarship funding toward tuition and academic fees for eligible Arkansas students.

If your household income is $100,000 or less or you’re Pell-eligible, take a few minutes to review the program requirements and application process. You must apply and submit all required documentation to be considered for eligibility!

UCA Commitment: Eligibility & Information

 

Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is a state-aid program that can help you pay for college. We encourage all Arkansas students to apply.  Some financial aid programs, such as the UCA Commitment, require proof of application to this program. You can find more information and start your application on the ADHE SAMs website.

A number of other state-aid programs are available for Arkansas residents and can be applied at any Arkansas institution. We strongly encourage students to explore these options and pursue funds that are available.

Arkansas Scholarship Application Management Website

📅 January 25 | Scholarship Deadline

January 25 is an important date for several UCA scholarship opportunities, including:

  • Achievement Academic Scholarship
  • Schedler Honors College Application
  • UCA Foundation Scholarships

Review the requirements for each opportunity, and submit all required applications and admission documents by the deadline.

Review Freshman Scholarship Information

 

📅 February  1 | Register for SOAR

Summer Orientation + Academic Registration (SOAR) is your required orientation experience as an incoming freshman.

At SOAR, you’ll connect with other new Bears, learn more about campus resources, meet with an academic advisor, and register for your fall classes.

UCA offers both one-day and two-day SOAR experiences during the summer. Choose the experience and available date that works best for you.

📅 April 1 | Priority Housing Deadline

Complete your Housing application and pay the $100 housing deposit by April 1 for priority housing consideration.

Housing assignments are based in part on when we receive completed applications, so you don’t need to wait until the deadline if you’re ready to apply.

Launch My Housing

📅 May 3 | Scholarship & UCA Commitment Deadline

May 3 is another major financial aid and scholarship milestone for incoming freshmen.

This is the deadline for:

  • UCA Commitment application & required documentation
  • University, Future Leaders, & Momentum Academic Scholarships

Be sure to review individual eligibility requirements and submit everything required for the programs you’re pursuing.

Review Freshman Scholarship Information

🎓 After High School Graduation

You’re almost there! As you wrap up senior year, there are a few final things to keep on your radar.

✓ Send your final high school transcript

After you graduate, ask your high school to send UCA your official final high school transcript showing your graduation date and final coursework.

✓ Send your college transcript &/or AP scores

If you completed college or concurrent credit through another college or university, make sure UCA receives an official transcript from that institution as well so your completed credit can be evaluated. We also accept AP scores to award college credit, so make sure those scores are sent to us as well.

☀️ Summer 2027

✓ Attend SOAR

SOAR is one of the biggest steps between admission and your first semester.

During orientation, you’ll learn your way around UCA, connect with campus resources, meet other new Bears, and work with an academic advisor to build your first semester schedule.

✓ Complete New Bear Central

New Bear Central is UCA’s online orientation experience designed to complement SOAR.

Through three online modules, you’ll learn about academics, paying for college, campus life, student resources, move-in, Welcome Week, and other things you’ll want to know before classes begin. You will also get hands-on experience with Brightspace, UCA’s course management system, which you will use regularly to access class resources and stay connected to your instructors.

Complete all three modules before the start of the semester.

✓ Get ready for move-in and Welcome Week

As fall gets closer, watch your UCA email for information about:

  • Your housing assignment
  • Meal plans
  • Move-in
  • Parking permits
  • Tuition and fee payment
  • Welcome Week
  • Your first day of class

This is when Bear Country starts feeling a lot more like home.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.

There’s a lot happening between acceptance and your first semester, and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Your UCA Admissions Counselor is here to answer questions, connect you with campus resources, and help you navigate your next steps.

Meet Our Admissions Counselors

We can’t wait to welcome you to Bear Country!