Undergraduate Scholarships

The following scholarship are supported by generous gifts to the UCA Foundation and are aimed at recognizing students who are pursuing the teaching profession. For additional scholarships, visit the UCA Foundation Scholarship page.  For full scholarship guidelines and criteria, see complete applications.


Scholarship amounts and eligibility requirements
are subject to change without notice.

ONLINE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION


Robert A. and Edna Bandy Scholarship

Who? Recipient shall be a full-time student accepted into the teacher education program.
To apply: Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Selection shall be based upon financial need and the demonstration of an interest and capacity for becoming a successful teacher.
  • Recipient shall be chosen each year, ordinarily in the spring semester on the condition that the recipient maintains a 2.50 GPA and an acceptable record of conduct.  In the event the recipient discontinues enrollment after the beginning of the fall semester, the unused funds shall be awarded in subsequent years.

Scholarship Renewal

  • Submit a report each spring semester by March 15th providing GPA information and progress toward becoming a teacher.
  • Maintain a 2.50 GPA and acceptable record of conduct.

Betty J. Courtway Scholarship

Who?  Recipient shall be accepted into a degree program in the College of Education
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Selected by a committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation
  •  Minimum GPA of 3.00, majoring in elementary education or middle level education and be from a Faulkner County high school.
  • Consideration may be based on student need.
  • Scholarship is paid in two equal installments on dates of registration during academic years if recipient has maintained 3.00 GPA and full-time student status.

Scholarship Renewal

Once awarded, the recipient will continue to receive the scholarship if the follow criteria are met:

  • Submit an unofficial transcript each spring semester before March 15th
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Craftman’s Guild Scholarship

Who? Recipient shall be a student who will be enrolled in Internship II in the following semester.
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be selected by an appropriate committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Applicant shall have a minimum GPA of 2.50.
  • Scholarship is based on need.

Frank and Hattie Harrin Scholarship

Who? Recipient shall be enrolled in Internship II during the following semester.
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient(s) shall be selected by an appropriate committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Selection is based on need.

Audie Lynch and Sallijane Lynch Scholarship

Who? Undergraduate, full-time or part-time student pursuing teaching degree
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient(s) shall be selected by an appropriate committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Preference shall be given to students from Van Buren, Lonoke, or Faulkner County
  • Minimum grade point average of 2.8
  • Selection may be based on need.

Scholarship Renewal

The scholarship will be paid in two equal installments for the first and second semesters of the academic year provided that the recipient remains in good academic standing.


Hank and Patty Phelps Education Scholarship Fund

Who?  Recipient shall be a full-time student accepted into teacher education who has served or will serve on the Student Orientation Staff during the academic year of the award.
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be a full-time student who has been accepted into the teacher education program and who has served or will serve on the Student Orientation Staff during the award year.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.
  • Recipient shall provide a letter of recommendation from the Director of New Student Programs.

Scholarship Renewal

The scholarship will be paid in two equal installments for the first and second semesters of the academic year provided that the recipient:

  • Completes 12 or more credit hours during the first semester of the award.
  • Maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.

Hazel Ward Phillips Scholarship

Who?  Recipient shall be an entering freshman, female education student with ACT score of 24 or above and high school GPA of 3.25 or better.
Amount?  Renewable scholarship that includes in-state tuition/fees and room & board for the fall and spring semesters after subtracting any other scholarships being awarded (does not include need-based assistance such as Pell Grants, etc.) for up to 18 credit hours each semester.
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipients shall be selected by an appropriate committee approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Recipient shall be a female student admitted to the UCA and pursuing a course of study to become a teacher.
  • Selection shall be based on academic performance with a consideration for need.
  • Recipient shall have an ACT score of 24 or above with a minimum high school GPA of 3.25.
  • Scholarship shall be paid in two equal installments on the dates of registration for the academic year on conditions that the recipient has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above and have completed the recommended number of semester hours for completion of the course of study in a maximum of five years. Consideration shall be given to circumstances that may prevent meeting these requirements.

Scholarship Renewal

  • Submit unofficial transcript and admission criteria check sheet from the Office of Candidate Services (Mashburn 119) each spring semester by March 15th.
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
  • Be fully admitted to teacher education program before the completion of 60 credit hours.
  • Complete recommended number of hours for completion of program of study in a maximum of five years (consideration may be given to extenuating circumstances).

Myrtle Lee Selig Scholarship

Who?  Recipient shall be a full-time student who graduated from Conway High School, majoring in secondary education, and has been accepted into the teacher education program
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall demonstrate financial need and be selected by a committee approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • First preference shall be given to junior or senior students admitted into the College of Education majoring in secondary education who graduated from Conway High School.
  • Recipient shall be a full-time student with a GPA of 2.50 or above.  Scholarship shall be a four-year award with renewal contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 2.50 or above.
  • Scholarship will be paid annually in two equal installments on dates of registration during the academic year on the condition that recipient has completed a minimum of 12 semester hours and has maintained a GPA of 2.50 or better for the previous semester’s work.

Scholarship Renewal

  • Submit an unofficial transcript each spring semester by March 15th
  • Maintain a 2.50 GPA and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester

Templeton Education Scholarship Fund

Who?  Recipient shall be a full-time student who has been accepted into the College of Education, majoring in a teacher education program.
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Selected by a committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Recipient shall be a full-time student who has been fully admitted to the teacher education program and holds a 3.00 or better cumulative GPA.  Consideration may be given to financial need.
  • Scholarship paid in two equal installments on dates of registration during academic year if recipient has maintained a 3.00 or better GPA and full-time student status.

Katrina Reed Wilcox Scholarship

Who? Entering freshman, full-time teacher education student, graduating from any Conway school
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Selected by a committee from the College of Education approved by the president of the UCA Foundation.
  • Recipient shall be an entering freshman with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 who graduated from a Conway, Arkansas high school and who plans to teach.
  • Scholarship paid in two equal installments on dates of registration during academic year if recipient has maintained a 3.00 or better GPA and full-time student status.

Scholarship Renewal

  • Submit an unofficial transcript and admission criteria check sheet from Office of Candidate Services each spring semester by March 15
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Be admitted to teacher education program before the completion of 60 credit hours

The following scholarships are awarded by the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE).


Rose A. Berry Scholarship

Contact: Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE)
Who?  Junior or senior majoring in the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education
Amount? Scholarship amounts vary
To apply:  Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be selected by an appropriate committee from the College of Education and approved by the President of the UCA Foundation.
  • Recipient shall be a current junior or senior student majoring within the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education.
  • Scholarship shall be paid in two equal installments on the dates of registration during the academic year, on the condition that the recipient has maintained a cumulative 3.00 GPA or above and has completed 60 or more semester hours.

Mignon Newbern Scholarship

Contact:  Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE)
Who? Female elementary major
Amount? To be determined
To apply: Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be a female majoring in elementary education who is fully admitted to the teacher education program.
  • Selection is based on academic performance.

Father Lachowsky Scholarship

Contact:  Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE)
Who? Student majoring in Special Education (BSE/MSE)
Amount? To be determined
To apply: Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be a student majoring in Special Education (BSE/MSE).
  • Priority will be given to students currently enrolled in Special Education Masters Program.
  • Selection is based on academic performance.

Harold & Sue Love Scholarship

Contact:  Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE)
Who? Undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Special Education or pursuing a teaching license in Special Education.
Amount? To be determined
To apply: Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be a student majoring in Special Education or pursuing a teaching license in Special Education.
  • Recipient shall be an undergraduate or graduate student accepted into the College of Education with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.00 or better.
  • Consideration shall be given to need.

Verna Leola Harris Lamkin Scholarship

Contact:  Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE)
Who? Undergraduate or graduate Special Education students (BSE/MSE/MAT)
Amount? $1200 annually (divided between fall and spring semesters)
To apply: Submit the online application.

Selection Criteria

  • Recipient shall be an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education or pursuing a teaching license in Special Education (BSE/MSE/MAT).
  • Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  • Consideration will be given to need.

Other Undergraduate Scholarships

Many of these scholarship are provided by individuals and organizations who want to support those entering the teaching profession.  These scholarship and grant opportunities may not be affiliated with UCA.  The contact information for each is provided below or on the application.  For complete details about the scholarship or grant, see the application.


G.A. and Jean Davidson Scholarship

Contact: UCA Foundation, (501) 450-3197
Who? Students from Jacksonville, Arkansas majoring in education with plans to teach
Amount: Scholarship amounts vary

Selection Criteria

  •  Recipient should ordinarily be chosen in the spring preceding the academic year for which the award is made by the UCA scholarship committee or the appropriate committee approved by the president of the UCA Foundation
  • Recipient shall be a freshman student from Jacksonville High School (AR) who plans to teach. The recipient shall be a student who plans to major in elementary education or business education.
  • Recipient shall be a U.S. citizen born in Arkansas.
  • Recipient shall have an ACT score of 26 or above with a minimum high school GPA of 3.00 or better. Leadership and participation activities should also be considered.
  • Scholarship to be paid in two installments on dates of registration for academic year on the condition that the recipient has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above and has completed 15 semester hours.
  • Scholarship is renewable for up to seven additional semesters.

Information available at https://uca.edu/foundation/foundation-scholarships/


UCA Alumni Association Scholarships

Contact:  Buffalo Alumni Hall, (501) 450-3197
Who? Eligible UCA students
Amount?  Scholarship amounts vary

See Scholarship webpage for information about applications and deadlines
Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarship Information


State Teacher Education Program (STEP)

Contact: Arkansas Department of High Education, (501) 371-2050
Who?  Teachers in high need subjects or geographic shortage areas
Amount?  Repayment of federal student loans up to $4,000 for up to three years

See website for application information, details, and deadlines.
Arkansas Department of Higher Education STEP website


Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association

Contact:  FCRT Scholarship Committee Chairman, Jennie Webb — webbweb@conwaycorp.net
Who?  Teacher education students
Amount?  $500.00

Must be a student in good standing enrolled in higher education in Faulkner County and admitted to teacher education.  Applications due December 31.


Washington County Retired Teachers Association

Contact: Elizabeth Ford (Scholarship Chair), 14528 South Highway 170, West Fork, AR 72774
Who?  Teacher education candidates from any Washington County high school who has completed their sophomore year
Amount?  $1200 each semester (fall and spring)

Applications accepted in the fall and spring semesters for education candidates who graduated from any Washington County high school and who are completing their sophomore year in good standing.


Arkansas Geographical Critical Needs Minority Teacher Scholarship

Contact:  Geographical Critical Needs Minority Teacher Scholarship Program, University of Arkansas at Pine
Bluff, Mail Slot – 4986, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
Who? To be eligible an applicant must be a Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American or
Native American; be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment at a baccalaureate degree-granting institution
of higher education or at an accredited state-supported community college.
Amount: $1,500.00 per academic year (fall and spring semesters) for full-time enrollment and up to $750.00 per academic year for part-time enrollment.

Application deadline for the upcoming year is July 31. For more information, contact the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at (870) 575-8110 or (870) 575-7011.


UCA Foundation Scholarships

Contact:  UCA Foundation, (501) 450-3197
Who?  Eligible UCA students
Amount?  Scholarship amounts vary

Individuals and organization have established scholarships for UCA students.  Visit the UCA Foundation website for more information.   University of Central Arkansas Foundation Scholarships