University of Central Arkansas

Figuring out how to pay for college is an issue that concerns many parents and college bound students. At UCA, we understand that the financial aid process can be intimidating, that's why we've taken the time to gather a brief description of all the financial possibilities you can explore while preparing for college. It's just another way the University of Central Arkansas is dedicated to helping you make your college experience a wise investment.

UCA Scholarships: UCA wants to see every student succeed. We have many wonderful scholarship and work study opportunities on our campus:

• Academic Scholarships- Academic scholarships are awarded to incoming freshman and transfer students through the UCA Admissions Office. Please visit our Academic Scholarship Page or call us at (501) 450-3128.

• Faculty Senate Scholarships- Faculty Senate scholarships are awarded directly by the Faculty Scholarship Committee. These scholarships are awarded for one calendar year to incoming freshmen. A 3.25 cumulative high school GPA is required in addition to an essay and two letters of recomendation. For more information, please contact Dr. Alma Corley at acorley@uca.edu or by calling (501) 450-3342.

• Honors College Scholarships- Honors Scholarships are awarded directly through the Honors College. For more information about the Honors College application and scholarship process, visit www.uca.edu/honors or call (501) 450-3198. You can also reach them by e-mail at honors@uca.edu.

• UCA Foundation Scholarships- Each year, the UCA Foundation provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to UCA students. Scholarships and awards are made possible by private gifts and vary considerably in dollar value and criteria. For more information, visit www.uca.edu/foundation or call (501) 450.5288.

• Athletic and Performance Scholarships- 

  • Band, Choral, and Music Scholarships- Contact the Department of Music at (501) 450-3163 or visit http://www.uca.edu/cfac/music/financial_aid.html for more information.

  • Athletic Scholarships-  Amounts vary from registration fees to full college costs and are awarded by the coach in each area. For more information contact the Athletics Office at (501) 450-3150.

  • Speech, Theatre, and Mass Communications Scholarships- Contact the College of Fine Arts and Communication at (501) 450-3293 or visit http://www.uca.edu/cfac/mct/theatre/Scholarships.htm for more information.

  • Army ROTC-  Tuition, fees, books and up to $5,000 in stipends each school year. Scholarships are based on academics and demonstrated leadership potential. Contact the Department of Military Science at (501) 450-3145.

• Department Work-Study Employment- Unlike the federal work-study program, departmental work-study jobs are awarded directly from many UCA departments on campus and are NOT need based. Students can apply for these positions by visiting any department of interest.

Federal Aid: All potential UCA students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. There is a wide range of federal financial assistance available:

• Grants- Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART).

• Loans- Perkins Loans, Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)

• Work-Study Employment- This program is need based, and eligibility must be assessed by completing the FAFSA process. Many departments on UCA's campus employ work-study students.

You can find out more information about all of these opportunities by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov or calling our Financial Aid office at (501) 450-3140.

State Aid: There are many state financial aid grant and scholarship options available for Arkansas residents: 

• Academic Challenge Scholarship

• Arkansas Health Education Grant Program (ARHEG)

• Governor's Scholars Program

•  GO! Opportunities Grant, and many others.

You can find out more information about all of these opportunities by visiting www.adhe.edu and clicking on "Find Money for College" or by calling the Arkansas Department of Higher Education at (800) 54-STUDY or e-mail them at finaid@adhe.edu.

Local and Corporate Aid: Many civic organization and corporate sponsors offer a wide variety of scholarship opportunities. Make sure you explore local resources such as Kiwanis, Lions Club International, Rotary Clubs, and university alumni organizations, as well as a multitude of corporate sponsors. You can find a lot of helpful information concerning scholarships through their corporate web sites.