What started as a simple conversation with a small campus group about finding solutions to help our students decrease debt and meet their financial obligations has developed into what will be an institution-defining and life-changing program for Arkansas students and their families.
Our university has introduced the UCA Commitment, a student support initiative meant to provide financial assistance and assurance to a population of students who might think that they have been priced out of even considering pursuing a college degree. Through the UCA Commitment, we are ushering in a new era of stewardship at our institution and fundamentally changing the educational access landscape in our state and region.
Starting in the fall of 2024, incoming first-year students from Arkansas households earning up to $100,000 can choose to opt into the UCA Commitment, which will give them a pathway to earn a degree with greatly reduced debt.
We know that students from this population still owe an average of $4,000 per year after all other federal, state, and private aid are exhausted. The UCA Commitment can help in bridging this gap, allowing students to walk away with a degree and less debt. We are proud to continue finding new ways to eliminate financial barriers and increase our students’ capacity to succeed.
UCA recognizes the vital role that education plays in shaping the future of our state and society. Through higher education, we empower individuals, inspire innovation, and drive economic development, and the UCA Commitment is another investment in our students and in the state of Arkansas.