LITTLE ROCK — State higher education officials say they have notified 8,000 Arkansas high school seniors that they have been awarded lottery-funded college scholarships for the next school year.
By Thursday morning, 3,500 of the students had accepted Academic Challenge Scholarships, according to Arkansas Department of Higher Education Interim Director Shane Broadway said.
The scholarship program is funded largely by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery but also receives some state taxpayer dollars.
“We are pleased to award these students who have worked hard to prepare for continuing their education, and we encourage them to log into the ADHE website — the sooner the better — to accept the award,” Broadway said.
The application deadline for all of the state’s financial aid programs is June 1 for both the fall and spring semesters for the upcoming school year. Submissions can be completed online at the ADHE’s website or through the free YOUniversal smart phone application.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
By Thursday, 14,000 traditional students had begun or completed the application process, and 4,000 non-traditional students had applied.
ADHE officials said 5,800 non-traditional students are eligible for the scholarship, but current legislation limits funding to $12 million for that group of students. Awards for those students will be determined later, based on funding availability.
Each student who graduates from an Arkansas high school in 2012 and completes the eligibility qualifications is guaranteed to receive an Academic Challenge Scholarship, funded in part through the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Those enrolled at four-year universities will receive $4,500 over the course of two semesters and those at two-year colleges will receive $2,250. Award amounts are set annually by the legislature.
Last year, the Academic Challenge Scholarship was awarded to more than 31,100 students.
Students who received the scholarship in 2010 will continue to receive $5,000 to attend four-year schools and $2,500 to attend two-year schools, provide they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
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On the Net:
www.adhe.edu