The UCA Commitment program is a last dollar scholarship program that covers tuition and fee expenses, designed to support Arkansas students from households earning $100,000 or less a year. The program combines various forms of financial aid and support to ensure more equitable access to higher education opportunities.
Initial Eligibility Criteria
- Meet all admission requirements and submit required documents by May 10, 2024;
- Complete FAFSA & send to UCA (school code 001092) by August 28, 2024;
- Submit your Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship application and provide documentation of a completed application by May 10, 2024;
- Students can forward their confirmation email from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) stating they completed their application to commitment@uca.edu, or they may upload it to their application portal.
- Be a UCA first-time undergraduate freshman;
- Be an Arkansas resident as defined by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (section 5.10) and a graduate from an Arkansas public school, private school, homeschool, or GED recipient;
- Be Pell-eligible or have an annual household income of $100,000 or less as documented by a submitted FAFSA
- Students offered to participate in UCA Commitment must officially opt-in to the program by July 29, 2024
No separate application is necessary. All students who meet these criteria by the relevant deadlines for each requirement will be offered a place within the UCA Commitment program via email.
Read our policy for full eligibility and renewal eligibility criteria
How does it work?
The UCA Commitment program provides a multifaceted approach to address students’ financial needs while engaging participants in meaningful service opportunities. Tuition and fee costs will be fully covered for eligible students through scholarship and work-study opportunities, after deducting applicable Federal, State, and institutional aid.
Room and board (aka, housing and food) charges are not covered by the program; however, private scholarships may be applied toward those charges and institutional academic scholarships that specify funds for housing will apply to room and board costs.
Last Dollar Scholarships & Service
As a last dollar scholarship program, UCA will take the total cost of tuition and fees, and deduct all applicable Federal, State, and institutional aid. We’ll then cover any balance remaining to ensure tuition and fee expenses are fully covered. In return, all participants will be required to fulfill a minimum of 10 service hours per semester, encouraging community engagement and supporting retention practices.
Work-Study Opportunities
Participants with a higher last dollar need will be supported through a combination of scholarship and work-study dollars as a pathway to cover all tuition and fees. Work-study opportunities will be offered to eligible students, who may accept the working position to help support their total tuition and fees. Students are not required to accept work-study positions, but will forfeit work-study funding should they choose to decline work-study placement.
Student Support
- The program provides support for eight (8) consecutive fall and spring semesters or until the completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.
- UCA Commitment has staff who support and help students navigate the program acceptance and renewal requirements.
Renewal Requirements
- Maintain 2.5 cumulative UCA GPA
- Complete minimum number of credit hours per term
- Pay semester charges
- Submit a completed FAFSA by April 1 annually
- Opt-in to the program annually by June 15
- Complete 10 service hours per semester by noon on the date grade reports are due
- To continue eligibility for the work component, maintain good standing with on-campus employer