Current Student Common Questions

You do not have to apply for the UCA Commitment program annually.  However, you do have to formally opt-in to the program by June 15 and maintain all other renewal criteria as referenced by policy.

No, if qualify for the UCA Commitment program your entering freshman semester and you opted-in, you may continue participation in the program as long as you maintain all other renewal criteria as referenced by policy.

No, UCA Commitment is only available to incoming first-time freshman students starting college for the fall 2024 term and beyond.  Continuing students are not eligible for the program.

Private scholarship funds are not calculated in your last dollar need.  We encourage all students to explore opportunities available through state and private aid programs, and to apply for UCA Foundation scholarships.

Yes, institutional academic scholarships that specify funds for housing will apply to room and board costs.

The FAFSA is required to ensure that eligible students maximize available aid opportunities.

All UCA Commitment participants must complete a minimum of 10 service hours per semester, regardless of the amount of funds received.  The UCA Commitment office will help students find opportunities to connect with their community through service. You can serve on campus, in Conway, your hometown, or across the globe.

For the purposes of UCA Commitment, service hours may include:

• Time spent on direct service to the community through a nonprofit organization or government agency, such as serving a meal or participating in a clean-up
• Time spent individually or with a group organizing direct service opportunities for others, such as planning and implementing a donation drive or service day
• Time spent on indirect or research-based service, such as creating a deliverable for a nonprofit organization through a service-learning course
• Unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations or government agencies
• Any service (whether in-person or remote) to fulfill a community identified need on campus or in your local, state, regional, national, or international communities that can be verified by a partner organization in the community
• Volunteer training required by a nonprofit organization in order to serve

Existing service projects that meet the program criteria will count towards UCA Commitment students’ service hours. UCA Commitment will increase our impact in the community by deepening our engagement with local and state partners and expanding service opportunities for students.

Work-study eligibility will be determined after  work study.  Eligible students must opt-in to the work portion each semester.

Eligible participants who have opted-in to work-study will be placed in a specific workstation based on a variety of student and departmental needs and interests.

Yes; all students may hold off-campus jobs as their schedule permits.