The University of Central Arkansas is offering a record number of scholarships for the fall 2017 academic year.
The university has sent scholarship offers to 2,079 potential first-time students for the fall, 308 more than last year.
“Our prospective class for the fall may yield the most qualified incoming freshman class in the history of this institution,” said UCA President Houston Davis. “It is a direct result of our increase in admission standards that we are seeing more students with higher GPAs and ACT scores.”
The university, beginning in 2015, implemented new admission standards for first-time undergraduates requiring a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and an ACT score of 20 for unconditional admission. In 2016, unconditional admission required a minimum score of 21 on the ACT. Students are unconditionally admitted when they meet all minimum state and institutional requirements and do not require additional coursework or testing.
Davis said in response to the admission changes, the university has been engaging potential students by providing more outreach efforts and academic supports.
“We are creating a foundation for the increased success of our students and are committed to raising the profile of the university over the next 10 years,” Davis said. “All of our efforts indicate that we are headed in the right direction.”
UCA offers a range of academic scholarships for up to eight consecutive semesters excluding summer sessions to students with a 3.25 minimum GPA and ACT scores ranging from 24 to 36.
- The University Scholarship awards $3,500 per year with an ACT score of 24 to 25. Those offers have increased by 132 over the previous year.
- The Achievement Scholarship awards $6,000 per year with an ACT score of 26 to 27. Those offers have increased by 62 over the previous year.
- The Excellence Scholarship awards $7,000 per year with an ACT score of 28 to 29. Those offers have increased by 22 over the previous year.
- The Distinguished Scholarship awards $8,500 per year with an ACT score of 30 to 36. Those offers have increased by 50 over the previous year.
UCA also offers the Future Leaders scholarship with $1,000 per year for four consecutive semesters excluding summer sessions to students with a 3.25 minimum GPA and 23 ACT score. Those offers are up by 41 versus the previous year.
Scholarship eligibility is based on a student’s admission application, but the deadline to have all documents submitted for consideration was January 31.
“It’s a testament to this university’s dedication to making sure that we are attracting high-caliber students and, more importantly, those that are college ready,” said Courtney Bryant, director of Admissions. “These numbers are evidence of our ‘heart of service’ in trying to help students and their families find their home here at UCA.”
The university also offers privately funded scholarships through the UCA Foundation. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 10. Visit https://uca.edu/foundation/foundation-scholarships/ for more information.
