How to apply for Entering Freshman Academic Scholarships:
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Submit an admission application and required documentation to Admissions by January 27, 2025 (Achievement & Distinguished) or May 5, 2025 (University & Future Leaders). For information about the Admission application, visit the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services.
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Meet all of the eligibility criteria of the 2025-2026 Academic Scholarship Policy.
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A limited number of Distinguished Scholarships will be awarded through a competitive review process. In addition to all other eligibility requirements, students must submit a separate application by the January 27, 2025 deadline to be considered. Factors including but not limited to GPA, high school accolades, community service and response to an essay will be considered in determining recipients. The application will be reviewed by a Scholarship Committee and scored based on a rubric including those factors.
The Distinguished Scholarship application is open. If you have issues completing the application, please contact the Office of Admissions at 501-450-3128 or admissions@uca.edu. If you have questions about eligibility for the Distinguished Scholarship, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 501-450-3140 or finaid@uca.edu.
2025-2026 UCA Freshman Academic Scholarships
| Scholarship Level | Cumulative H.S. GPA (6th/7th semester) | Tuition & Fee Award | Housing Award | Annual Total Award | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished | 3.75 Cumulative GPA, ACT/SAT Score, Service* | $6,500 | $2,000 | $8,500 | Jan. 27, 2025 |
| Achievement | 4.000 Cumulative GPA | $5,000 | $1,500 | $6,500 | Jan. 27, 2025 |
| University | 3.750 Cumulative GPA | $3,500 | $1,000 | $4,500 | May 5, 2025 |
| Future Leaders | 3.500 Cumulative GPA | $1,000 | $500 | $1,500 | May 5, 2025 |
| *Click here for the Distinguished Scholarship application. The Distinguished Scholarship will be competitively awarded to a limited number of students through a committee decision and will be based on factors such as ACT/SAT test score, service, and GPA. ACT/SAT scores and a separate application, are required to apply for the Distinguished Scholarship. ACT/SAT scores must be within the last five years and no later than the December 2024 test date. Click here for a more detailed 2025-2026 Academic Scholarship Chart. |
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Students must meet enrollment and renewal requirements each semester. Please use the following link for the 2025-2026 UCA Freshman Academic Scholarship Policy information. Renewal information can be found on the second page of the policy.
2025-2026 UCA Honors College Scholarships
| Scholarship Level | Cumulative H.S. GPA (6th/7th semester) | Stipend | Private Room Upgrade | Annual Total Award | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schedler Honors College | 3.500** | $2,000 | See note** | $2,000 + room upgrade | Jan. 27, 2025 |
| University Scholars Program | 3.500** | $1,000 | See note** | $1,000 + room upgrade | Jan. 27, 2025 |
| **To apply, students must be admitted to the University and complete the application to the Schedler Honors College and/or University Scholars Program at uca.edu/honors by the deadline. 80 students will be selected to join the Schedler Honors College and an additional 40 will be selected to join the University Scholars Program. Stipends are in addition to any academic scholarship in the above table awarded following admission to the University. Students will also receive a private room upgrade each semester they reside in Honors housing. Click here for a more detailed 2025-2026 Scholarship Chart. | |||||
The UCA Honors College Application is now open. To apply and for more information about the 2024-2025 Honors College Scholarships, visit https://uca.edu/honors/.
Additional Freshman Academic Scholarship Information
- Student must be a UCA first-time entering undergraduate student
- Student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Students must submit all required documentation to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services by the applicable deadline.
- If a student is graduating from high school early, a 4th or 5th-semester transcript will be considered.
- All institutional scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on academic performance and available funds.
- Scholarships are for the duration of 8 consecutive fall and spring semesters or through completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.
- Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 UCA credit hours as of the 8th class day each fall and spring semester during the term of their scholarship.
- Students must remain in good academic standing as described in the current UCA Undergraduate Bulletin.
- Students must live in University housing to receive the housing award and, therefore, the annual total award. Click here to learn more about University housing options.
- Academic scholarships will only apply to charges for in-state tuition, room/board, and mandatory fees directly assessed by the University. The housing award will only apply to housing charges directly assessed by the University.
- Please see the 2025-2026 Academic Scholarship Policy at uca.edu/scholarships/policies for all scholarship requirements.
- For information on the Academic Scholarship renewal, click here.
Additional Schedler Honors College Scholarship Information
- To be considered for the Schedler Honors College and/or University Scholars Program, students must be admitted to UCA and complete the application to the Schedler Honors College and/or University Scholars Program at uca.edu/honors by the deadline. Please contact the Honors College at
honors@uca.edu or 501-450-3198 with any questions or for more information regarding these scholarships. - For information on the Schedler Honors Scholarship renewal policy, click here.