Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Arkansas Department of Higher Education

Description
The Governor’s Scholars (Non‑Distinguished) Scholarship is a state-funded award for Arkansas high school seniors who do not qualify as a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar in their county but meet other high-achievement criteria. It is offered to the top-scoring senior in any Arkansas county where no Distinguished Scholar was selected, and to seniors who graduate with a Diploma of Distinction or who earn an Associate’s degree while in high school. The scholarship covers tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board up to a set annual maximum and can be renewed for up to four academic years when renewal requirements are met.
- Award targets high-achieving Arkansas high school seniors.
- Available when a county has no Governor’s Distinguished Scholar.
- Also available to Diploma of Distinction graduates and students earning an associate degree in high school.
- Pays toward tuition, mandatory fees, and room & board.

Who May Apply
Eligible applicants are graduating high school seniors in the current academic year who meet the program’s residency and documentation requirements. Most applicants must complete the FAFSA as part of the application process, but there is an exception described below for certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) holders. Contact the scholarship office if you or a parent hold an EAD to confirm alternate filing requirements.
- Open to Arkansas high school seniors graduating that year.
- FAFSA normally required.
- FAFSA not required for applicants who hold an EAD or whose parent holds an EAD; contact the office to confirm.
- Verify eligibility and exceptions with the scholarship office before applying.

Basic Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet defined residency, citizenship/immigration, testing, and enrollment-start requirements at the time of application. You must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months and either a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident alien, or an EAD holder (or have a parent with an EAD). Applicants also must complete the ACT or SAT by the program’s annual deadline and plan to begin postsecondary attendance at at least 15 credit hours each semester (12 credit hours allowed in the first semester).
- Arkansas residency for 12 months required.
- Citizenship, permanent residency, or EAD status (or parent with EAD) required.
- ACT or SAT must be completed prior to the annual deadline.
- Initial college enrollment target: 15 credit hours/semester (12 credit hours allowed first semester).

Continuing Eligibility Requirements
To retain the scholarship after the first year, recipients must meet academic progress and credit-hour benchmarks each year. Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale at the end of each academic year. Additionally, recipients must earn at least 27 semester credit hours during the first academic year and 30 semester credit hours in each subsequent academic year.
- Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA required annually.
- 27 semester credit hours needed in year one.
- 30 semester credit hours required each year after the first.
- Progress is evaluated at the end of each academic year.

Award Value and Duration
The scholarship pays up to $5,000 per academic year for eligible costs and may be awarded for up to four years for a maximum of $20,000. Covered expenses include tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board, subject to the annual cap. Renewal each year depends on meeting the continuing eligibility requirements described above.
- Up to $5,000 per year for tuition, mandatory fees, and room & board.
- Maximum renewal period: 4 years (up to $20,000 total).
- Annual renewal contingent on meeting GPA and credit requirements.

Combined Awards: Academic Challenge + Governor’s Scholars
Students may accept both the Governor’s Scholars (Non‑Distinguished) Scholarship and the Academic Challenge scholarship; combined award levels vary by institution type and academic year. For students attending a 4‑year institution, the Academic Challenge increases from $2,000 in Year 1 to $5,000 in Year 4 while the Governor’s Scholars portion remains $5,000 each year. For students at 2‑year institutions (until transferring), the Academic Challenge is $2,000 Year 1, $3,000 Year 2 and $1,000 in a fifth semester; the Governor’s Scholars award is $5,000 in Years 1–2 and $2,500 for the fifth semester.
- 4‑year institution combined example: Year 1 — Academic Challenge $2,000 + Governor’s $5,000; Years 2–3 — $4,000 + $5,000; Year 4 — $5,000 + $5,000.
- 2‑year institution combined example: Year 1 — $2,000 + $5,000; Year 2 — $3,000 + $5,000; 5th semester — $1,000 + $2,500.
- Combined awards follow the published schedule and depend on continued eligibility for each program.

Application Requirements and Timeline
Applicants must submit required documentation and meet the program’s testing and financial-aid deadlines; exact dates vary yearly. Required items typically include a completed FAFSA (unless the EAD exception applies), ACT or SAT scores submitted by the program deadline, and school records that verify Diploma of Distinction or an earned Associate’s degree when applicable. Because annual deadlines are set by the scholarship office, applicants should confirm filing dates and required documentation well ahead of graduation and testing windows.
- Complete FAFSA unless exempted by EAD status.
- Submit ACT/SAT scores before the program’s annual deadline.
- Provide school documentation for Diploma of Distinction or earned Associate’s degree when applicable.
- Check annual deadlines and submission instructions with the scholarship office.

Contact and Important Notes
For questions about eligibility, EAD exceptions, deadlines, or documentation, contact the Governor’s Scholars program office directly. If you or a parent hold an Employment Authorization Document and need clarification about FAFSA requirements or application steps, call the office to confirm the alternative process. Always verify any institution-specific enrollment or billing rules with your college’s financial aid office once you receive the award.
- Scholarship office phone: 501‑371‑1064.
- Call the office for EAD-related FAFSA exceptions and other special situations.
- Confirm award billing and enrollment impacts with your college financial aid office.