Arkansas Department of Higher Education

Arkansas Department of Higher Education

If you have FFELP loans, they will still be serviced by your loan provider, or you can consolidate under the Direct loan program.

All state programs require students to submit their FAFSA. Check your Arkansas FAFSA deadline .

Arkansas had been offering rate reductions through their Arkansas EdLoan for students entering targeted professions, (teachers, nurses, paramedics, law enforcement, national guard) but this program has been suspended as of July 1, 2008.

Arkansas Nursing Student Loan Program

- On Feb. 3, 2009 a new law was passed increasing the amount students can access from $6,000 to $20,000 per year. This loan is also now extended to graduate students seeking advanced degrees to qualify as nursing school teachers.


Students who intend to be teachers can still get loans through the STAR Forgivable Loan for Future Teachers program. There are two maximum limits:

1. $6000 per year if agreeing to teach in an Arkansas public school in a geographic area with a critical shortage of teachers AND in a subject with a critical shortage of teachers.
2. $3000 per year if agreeing to teach in an Arkansas public school in a geographic area with a critical shortage of teachers OR in a subject with a critical shortage of teachers.

Arkansas Scholarships

For Arkansas residents who have not earned a B.A., but have been accepted into an approved degree or certificate program and are certified to be drug-free, Selective Service compliant, not in default on a federal or state loan, and not incarcerated and who have filed a FAFSA.

• Traditional or Incoming Freshman
• 2.5 high school GPA or at least 19 ACT score
• enrolled full-time (27 credits the first year; 30 per year each year after)
• graduated after Dec. 2009
• Current Achievers
• must have entered college before the 2010-2011 academic year as full-time, first-time freshmen (within 12 months after high school graduation)
• continuously enrolled
• have at least 12 credits completed with a 2.5 GPA
• Nontraditional Students
• enrolled full or part-time in college
• must have either graduated from an Arkansas high school with a 2.5 GPA or ACT score of 19, or from an out of state high school with an ACT (or equivalent) score of 19, or completed at least 12 credits in college with a GPA of 19

The award for this scholarship overseen by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education is $5,000 per year for a 4 year school, and $2,500 per year for a 2 year school.

Check to see which college grants and scholarships you qualify for.

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