UCA Commitment

UCA

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

What does the program cover?

The UCA Commitment program will ensure that eligible students’ in-state tuition and fees directly assessed by the University (except for approved programs through the Office of Education Abroad) are covered after all Federal, State, and institutional aid has been deducted.

The program does not cover charges for housing, meal plans (food), or course materials; however, private scholarships, work study earnings, loans, and personal funds may be applied toward those charges, and the portion of institutional academic scholarships that specify funds for housing will apply to room and board costs.

Students enrolled in fully online programs through UCA Online are not currently eligible for the UCA Commitment program.

How do I apply?

The application for the UCA Commitment program is opens October 1 for the following Fall term. You’ll also need to apply for admission and submit all required admission materials, test scores, a completed FAFSA (school code 001092), and proof of a completed Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship application for eligibility consideration.

How can I submit proof of applying for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship?

Students can either 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 them to their application portal.  For specific details on how to submit documentation, visit our Future Student Guide. 

When will I know if I’m eligible?

We will notify students of eligibility after all necessary documentation is received. This will likely occur on a rolling basis starting in the early spring term.

Are non-Arkansas students eligible?

Students from outside of Arkansas are not eligible at this time. However, students from contiguous states are eligible for automatic in-state tuition and students from non-neighboring states and other countries can receive in-state tuition if they reside in campus housing.  Learn more about our Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship.

Do I have to be an incoming freshman?

Yes, UCA Commitment is only available to incoming first-time freshman students.

Can I start in the Spring Semester?

Spring start students are not eligible for UCA Commitment at this time.

Am I eligible if I take a gap year before starting college?

Yes, as long as you don’t enroll at another college or university after high school graduation, you would still be considered an incoming freshman for the next academic year.

Is your institution still test-optional?

Yes, students with at least a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA may be admitted without test scores. However, ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores are required for UCA Commitment eligibility and placement purposes.

Scholarships & Finances

I don’t qualify for this program; what do I qualify for?

UCA supports incoming students through a variety of scholarship opportunities including freshman academic scholarships and UCA Foundation scholarships. We encourage all students to explore opportunities available through state and private aid programs.

Will the housing portion of my academic scholarship be applied to my housing costs?

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

Why do we have to complete the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is required to determine eligibility based on family income and to ensure that eligible students maximize available aid opportunities.

Service

What are Service Requirements?

All UCA Commitment participants receiving funds in a given semester must complete a minimum of 10 service hours for that 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.

What counts as service hours?

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

  • Service-learning classes: Courses designated with a “service-learning” attribute that include a direct service, indirect service, research, or advocacy project in partnership with a campus or community organization
  • Campus-wide service days:  These are service events for all UCA Students to participate in together for one cause.
    • Ex: First-Year Experience MobilePack meal packing event, Bear Boots on the Ground, The Big Event
  • Campus-wide events:  These are events that are hosted by University departments that are open to all students to participate.
    • Ex:  Move-In Day, Family Weekend, Brake for Bears, Commencement
  • Episodic (one-time) service:  These are events that happen once.
    • Ex:  Milestones playground clean-up, Conway ArtsFest art activities, Keep Arkansas Beautiful clean-up event, Green Bear Coalition campus garden work day
  • Ongoing service:  These are service opportunities that occur more than once over a period of time.
    • Ex: SOS Leaders, Ambassadors, Boys & Girls club after-school volunteer, Bear Essentials Food Pantry volunteer, Religious Organization volunteer
  • National service
    • Ex:  ROTC or military service

Where can I find Information about service?

The UCA Service site will  help you find general information about service, service opportunities, and how to use GivePulse, UCA’s volunteer system.

If I join an RSO, Greek organization, service-learning class, or a UCA Sponsored service organization, will these hours count toward UCA Commitment?

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.