Financial Aid and Scholarships

Transcription

1 Financial Aid and s FINANCIAL AID The University of Arkansas annually awards over $100 million of financial aid and scholarships to students. Financial aid is divided into categories of grants, work, loans, and scholarships. Students need to complete the Free for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which analyzes the ability of the student s family to pay for college; and the various scholarship applications offered through the Academic Office, the university s colleges and departments and the Arkansas Alumni Association. These forms collect information used by the Office of Financial Aid and the University s scholarship committees in determining awards. In some cases, copies of the parents and/or student s tax returns are needed. DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED To determine financial need, a student must complete the FAFSA. Students release their information to the University of Arkansas by completing the college release section with the University of Arkansas Title IV Code of There is a priority date of MARCH 1 for the submission of the FAFSA for the approaching school year for new students. Federally funded financial aid will be awarded on the basis of need as reflected by the FAFSA. The Student Aid Report from the FAFSA (consisting of several pages) will be sent directly to the student by the Central Processing Service. A student needs to be enrolled or accepted for enrollment before a financial aid award may be generated. To continue receiving financial aid, the student needs to make satisfactory progress toward a degree, as defined by the University of Arkansas, and complete the FAFSA each year. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress in next column.) APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Apply for admission to the University, if not currently enrolled or admitted. 2. Complete the Free for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the federal processor by mail or online. You may submit the FAFSA on the Web at Students hoping to be considered for scholarships need to have their application for admission and a separate application for scholarships submitted by November 15 to the University for priority consideration. Students applying for Honors College, Bodenhamer, Sturgis and Boyer s should also submit the materials for scholarships by the November 15 deadline for priority consideration, then submit the supplemental fellowship application materials by the specific fellowship application deadlines. Please check with your department for earlier deadlines and additional forms. To receive priority consideration for financial aid, all forms and applications need to be submitted by March 1. Students are encouraged to apply even if they miss this priority date. Funds will be available after the priority date. A student has a couple of choices concerning processing his or her FAFSA. These include mailing the form to the Federal Student Aid Programs or submitting it electronically on the Web at The processing time for electronic applications is three days, and processing time for mailed applications is four to six weeks. SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS Federal regulation requires that a student must be making satisfactory academic progress regardless of whether he or she has previously received Title IV aid. All students enrolled at the University of Arkansas who receive financial aid through the Title IV Assistance Programs must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements as defined below to be eligible for further aid. Satisfactory academic progress is deemed to have been made by any undergraduate student who meets both the quantitative and qualitative requirements indicated below. Quantitative Requirements There are two quantitative requirements that the student must meet to remain eligible to apply for financial assistance. First, the student must pass, at a minimum, 67 percent of the credits attempted while attending the University. Also, the student will remain eligible to apply for aid as long as the number of credits attempted is not more than 150 percent of the number of credits required for the student s degree. A transfer student may have earned credits at another school that will count toward his or her degree at the University of Arkansas. Class credits transferred to the University of Arkansas are used in both the 67 percent and 150 percent calculation. The determination of each student s meeting the quantitative requirements for satisfactory academic progress will be made annually following the conclusion of the spring semester. If a student fails to pass at least 67 percent of the credits attempted or has attempted more than 150 percent of the number of credits required for graduation, then the student must appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. Qualitative Requirements A student is deemed to have met the qualitative requirements for satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes provided the student s cumulative GPA, based upon their last term of enrollment not being greater than the previous spring term, is within an acceptable range. By default, students who do not have any university or transfer credits will pass the qualitative requirement. The units of transfer credit and units attempted are combined when determining a student s qualitative GPA range used in their SAP calculation. The cumulative GPA range used is listed below. Total Credits (Transferred and Attempted) Minimum Cumulative GPA and above The YOU of A

2 Financial Aid and s Graduate and Law Students Satisfactory academic progress for graduate and law students is determined as described above with one exception. In order to meet the quantitative requirement, the student must pass with at least a grade of C, at a minimum, 67 percent of the credits attempted while attending the University at the graduate level. SCHOLARSHIPS The Academic s Office is a part of Enrollment Services and is housed in Old Main, Room 101. The, awards over 3,000 scholarships totaling more than $12 million for students each year. This total does not include funds that support such external scholarships held by UA students as Governor s s, Arkansas Academic Challenge s or non-resident tuition waivers. s funded by the University fall into three broad categories: prestigious fellowships, academic scholarships, and special interest/skills scholarships. The scholarship information contained below applies to students entering for the academic year. Current high school students interested in matriculating for the academic year are encouraged to consult the Academic s Office website at for the most up-to-date information. s for new students Prestigious s (See chart below) The University of Arkansas offers approximately 85 prestigious fellowships per year. The fellowships are given in one of four different programs: Honors College s, established in 2002; Bodenhamer s, established in 1998; Sturgis s, established in 1985; and Bodenhamer s, established in 1998; the Boyer s, established in The prestigious fellowships are among the most competitive in the nation and are awarded to the top 2 percent of students. s are awarded competitively, and each Fellow receives up to $50,000 for four years of study (or $62,500 for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Master of Arts in Teaching programs). Students who wish to apply should visit the website at Academic s (See chart on following page) A number of academic scholarships also are awarded to entering freshmen. Selection criteria include national test scores (ACT or SAT), grade-point average, National Merit or National Achievement recognition, quality and quantity of courses taken, application materials, and other pertinent factors. For online information, go to Transfer student scholarships are awarded to students transferring from two-year colleges in Arkansas in conjunction with the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges (AATYC) Academic All-Star program. Nominations are submitted to the AATYC and recognized at their annual conference. Additional transfer student scholarships are also available. See scholarships.uark.edu. UA s General Information The following regulations govern the general University freshman scholarships described below: 1. NOVEMBER 15 is the priority scholarship deadline for entering freshmen. Applicants must apply to the University by November 1 to be considered for these scholarships. PRESTIGIOUS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS Name Annual Award Eligibility Criteria Procedure Renewal Criteria Honors College 32 ACT/1420 SAT and 3.80 GPA or higher. Strong academic curriculum and exceptional academic performance. Letters of recommendation required. application ( Priority Consideration total. (For programs with degree plans longer than 4 years, extra semester(s) of funding may be available.) Bodenhammer 32 ACT/1420 SAT, 3.80 GPA or higher. Strong academic curriculum and exceptional academic performance. Demonstrated leadership. Letters of recommendation required. application. ( Priority Consideration 4 years or 8 semesters total. total. (For programs with degree plans longer than 4 years, extra semester(s) of funding may be available.) Sturgis For majors in Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences. 32 ACT/1420 SAT and 3.80 GPA or higher. Strong academic curriculum and exceptional academic performance. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and creative pursuits. Letters of recommendation required. application. ( Priority Consideration total. Boyer For majors in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. 32 ACT/1420 SAT and 3.75 GPA or higher OR National Merit or National Achievement semifinalist. Strong academic curriculum and exceptional academic performance. Letters of reccomendation required. FAFSA demonstrated financial need required. Graduation from an Arkansas high school and Arkansas residency required. Requires application for admission along with the Honors College application (honorscollege.uark.edu). ( Priority Consideration Cumulative 3.50 GPA, good standing In the honors program and 30 hours total. The YOU of A 21

3 Financial Aid and s SCHOLARSHIPS Name Annual Award Eligibility Criteria Procedure Renewal Criteria Merit Up to $10,000, plus the amount of either a Corporate or a UofA National Merit, per year toward the direct cost of education, includes out-of-state tuition National Merit or National Achievement finalists. Exceptional academic performance. Competitively awarded Entering Freshmen semester of each award year. 4 years or 8 semesters total (5 years for the Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, and Master of Arts in Teaching programs). Merit. Up to $8,000 per year toward direct cost of education, including tuition, fees and double-occupancy room and board in UA residence hall or Greek housing. s are competitive and typically come from the top 5 percent of the applicant pool. National Merit Semifinalists and National Achievement Semifinalists are also Competitively awarded Entering Freshmen Community $5,000 per year Top applicants in the applicant pool who also have a demonstrable commitment to community service. Entering Freshmen Merit. Entering Freshmen Honors College Academy $4,000 per year Top applicants from the applicant pool with a minimum 27 ACT and 3.50 GPA. Competitively awarded. Merit. The New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award Freshman Academic Out-of-state tuition. Variable amount based on hours enrolled The New Arkansan Fee will be assessed to new students receiving the award. See index.php/nrta for more information. Students from TX, MS, LA, KS, MO, OK or TN must have a 3.25 GPA. Entering freshmen for Fall 2012 must score 24 on the ACT (1090 SAT); Transfer students must have 24 credit hours and a 3.00 GPA. $1,000 non-renewable Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Apply for admission. No scholarship application is required. Deadline: on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted Entering Freshmen Renewable with completion of 24 hours per academic year, 2.75 minimum GPA. Up to 4 years (5 years for students in Architecture or the Master of Arts in Teaching program). Non-renewable University of Arkansas Leadership Award Silas Hunt Distinguished Arkansas Academic All Star Transfer Transfer $2,000 per year Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential. Variable awards of $5,000 or $8,000 AATYC Academic All Star receives full-tuition scholarship. Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic leadership qualities and potential and are from under-represented communities, which include but are not limited to: underrepresented ethnic and minority groups; students with interest in fields of study that do not attract members of their ethnicity or gender; under-represented counties in Arkansas; or a first-generation college student. Competitively awarded. Strong academic performance in transfer college credit earned from an Arkansas two-year institution. $3,000 per year Arkansas residents with strong academic performance at Arkansas two-year colleges. Entering Freshmen Entering Freshmen Students nominated as AATYC Academic All Star by their two-year college. Deadline: April 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester Merit. Merit. per year of eligibility. per year of eligibility. Renewable Transfer $2,000 per year. Renewable Strong academic performance at another 2-year or 4-year college or university. Deadline: April 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester per year of eligibility. Renewable 22 The YOU of A

4 Financial Aid and s 2. An entering freshman is defined as a student who has not enrolled in another post-secondary institution in a fall or spring semester following graduation from high school. 3. Eligibility for renewal of and general University scholarships is determined at the end of the second semester each award year. Students may catch up in summer terms by taking classes at their own expense on the Fayetteville campus. 4. These scholarships are generally awarded per academic year to cover the fall and spring terms, up to an eight-semester maximum for most students, or a ten-semester maximum for students in the Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Master of Arts in Teaching programs, each of which is a five-year program. Renewal criteria are evaluated every two semesters. 5. A student who is placed on academic warning forfeits his or her scholarship effective the semester of academic warning. See php for a full description. s, Grants, and Other Awards for Non-Resident Students See page 32 in the Fees & Costs chapter. COLLEGE AND DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS The following college and departmental scholarships are available to entering freshmen at the University of Arkansas. Complete addresses and phone numbers of the colleges, schools, or departments listed below may be found in the respective college or school sections of this catalog. Fay Jones School of Architecture The Fay Jones School of Architecture offers a limited number of scholarships at various amounts to entering freshman in any of the degree programs offered by the School. Several scholarships are renewable annually to the recipient who maintains all the requirements of the scholarship. Many upper level scholarships are available to continuing students. s are available in the fall, and recipients are selected in the spring for the following academic year. For more information and scholarship applications, please go to: architecture.uark.edu/126.php. J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences offers many outstanding scholarship opportunities. For comprehensive information about these awards, call or visit the Web at php. Three college-wide scholarships merit special attention: Through the Sturgis Program, Fulbright College offers premier scholarships worth $50,000 over four years to exceptionally talented students with the intellectual potential to become future leaders in society. In addition, all honors students are eligible to apply for research and study abroad funding through the Sturgis Grants Program. For information or an application, contact Director of Honors Studies at The King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies offers substantial fouryear and two-year renewable scholarships to superior students majoring in Middle East Studies. The program also offers competitive funding for language study in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Funding for summer study abroad and research projects is considered on a case-by-case basis. applications and information about the program can be obtained by contacting mest@uark.edu or calling In honor of the Fulbright commitment to international education, the College offers the J.W. and Elizabeth W. Fulbright Endowed, which supports a year of study abroad. To qualify, students must display an interest in one of the following fields: literature, history (including theatre, art, and music history), jurisprudence, philosophy, archaeology, comparative languages, and those aspects of the social sciences that employ philosophical or historical approaches. For more information about these opportunities, call or visit scholarships.php. Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences opportunities within Bumpers College include the Division of Agriculture Land Grant Scholars Endowment Program which offers renewable scholarships to high achieving students; The Dale Bumpers Distinguished Scholars Program which provides an annual scholarship to an outstanding transfer student, an outstanding Ph.D. graduate student, and an outstanding M.S. graduate student; and International Study Abroad scholarships for students expanding their experiences around the world. Information and application procedures for the more than 200 Bumpers College and departmental scholarships is available at or by contacting the Management Coordinator at , or via to dbcafls@uark.edu. Sam M. Walton College of Business The Boyer is offered to Walton College students who have achieved at an outstanding level both in and out of the classroom. High grades and standardized test scores are required along with a strong academic curriculum and exceptional academic performance. Applicants for the Boyer also must demonstrate financial need, be an Arkansas resident, and graduate from an Arkansas high school. Other scholarships are available through the departments of accounting, information systems, economics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain management as well as through the Walton College s general scholarship program. s are primarily awarded on the basis of academic achievement and/or financial need. For further information on Walton College scholarships, contact the Undergraduate Programs Office at College of Education and Health Professions The College of Education and Health Professions offers several hundred scholarship awards each year varying in amounts. Recipient selection is based on a variety of different attributes that are specific to each award. Attributes may include but are not limited to: academic achievement, financial need, and character. applications are available during the month of January each year. The application is electronic and can be found on the college s website at uark.edu/scholarships.html. s must be submitted by January 31st. All current and future students are strongly encouraged to apply. For further information please contact Lori Foster at or llfoste@uark.edu. College of Engineering The College of Engineering awards numerous scholarships and fellowships beginning with the sophomore year to continuing students, transfer students, and graduate students. Most scholarships are based, primarily, on academic performance. However, scholarships are also awarded on the basis of financial need and diversity. s are available from both the college and its individual departments. College scholarships are available to any engineering student while departmental scholarships are meant for students enrolled in a particular discipline of engineering. Students must be admitted to the University of Arkansas and accepted into the College of Engineering to qualify and receive either a college or departmental scholarship. The college has a one-step application process that allows a student to be considered for all college level scholarships and departmental scholarships. For more information concerning scholarship and diversity opportunities, please see Music and Band The Department of Music offers scholarships (both music scholarships and band scholarships) for talented students who sing or play instruments. All scholarships are based on musical ability, academic achievement, and potential contribution to music department ensembles. s are renewable for up to five years (ten semesters), as long as the student meets the conditions specified on the scholarship letter or contract. Music and band scholarships are available to music majors and to students majoring in other areas who participate in certain ensembles. All scholarships require an The YOU of A 23

5 Financial Aid and s audition. To set up an audition, contact the music department at or the band office at Special s and Conditions ACT 1185 Arkansas income taxpayers who earn a minimum of $5,500 in wages and, with their dependents, reside in a bordering state in a county or parish contiguous to an Arkansas county in which a public institution of higher education is located may enroll at the University of Arkansas and receive non-resident tuition award under the provisions of ACT 1185 of 1995, Section 34. The availability of funds may vary each year, and the students must provide certain documentation. Please contact the Academic s Office at for more information. Arkansas Alumni Association s The Arkansas Alumni Association, through its members and chapters, sponsor five scholarship and grant programs. See brief information in the chart below. For information on the Arkansas Alumni Association, please visit Air Force and Army ROTC The Air Force and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps programs offer a number of scholarship opportunities for entering freshmen and on-campus students. See the Reserve Officer Training Corps section of this catalog for detailed information. Military Benefits The University of Arkansas is approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in benefit programs for veterans and their dependents who are working toward a degree. Veterans of recent military service, service members, members of reserve units, and the dependents of certain other service members may be entitled to educational assistance payments under the following programs: Title 38, Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty; Title 38,Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program; Title 38, Chapter 32, Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance; Title 38, Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill; Title 38, Chapter 35, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program; Title 10, Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill for Selective Reserves; Title 10, Chapter 1607, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP); and Federal Veterans Affairs Work Study Allowance Program. Students must be working toward a degree and following the curriculum outline for their objectives, since only specific courses may be applied toward VA certification and graduation. Students inquiring about educational benefit eligibility should contact the university s Veterans Resources and Information Center at for further information. Additionally, the University of Arkansas offers 20 one-year scholarships in the amount of $3,000scholarships to support current and former members of the United States military services and their eligible dependents. Students should contact the Academic Office at for further information. ARKANSAS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS Name Annual Award Eligibility Criteria Procedure Renewal Criteria $6,500 per year for four years Incoming freshmen with a minimum GPA of 3.60 and 24 ACT or 1090 SAT Request applications on the web (arkansasalumni.org), by scholarships@arkansasalumni.org or by phone ARK-ALUM GPA and completion of 30 hours per year. Arkansas License Plate, Roads - Alumni Board of Directors $2,500 per year for four years Applicant finalists from the who are residents of Arkansas. Non-Resident finalists will receive equivalent Alumni Board of Directors. s from the Alumni Endowed will be 3.00 GPA and completion of on 30 hours per year. Razorback Generations $2,500 per year for four years Arkansas finalists from the with a family connection to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. s from the Alumni Endowed will be 3.00 GPA and completion of on 30 hours per year. Alumni Chapter s Variable amount based on chapter funds Minimum GPA of 3.50 and 24 ACT s from the Alumni Endowed will be Varies from chapter to chapter Alumni Legacy Out-of-state tuition. Variable amount based on hours enrolled. $560 program fee per fall and spring semesters will be assessed for undergraduate nonresidents receiving this award. Non-resident students admitted as degree-seeking students with a 3.0 GPA and 20 ACT/930 SAT. Must have a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or spouse who graduated from the UofA and is an Arkansas Alumni Association member. Complete a Legacy on the Web (arkansasalumni.org) or contact the alumni scholarship office (1-888-ARK-ALUM). Renewable for up to 8 semesters with the completion of 24 hours and a cumulative 2.75 GPA per year. Membership Funded Need-based scholarships of variable amounts Minimum high school GPA or 3.60 and 24 ACT or 1090 SAT. Applicants must have a FAFSA on file with the University of Arkansas. Preference is given to students whose EFC is less than $6,500 per year. s from the Alumni Endowed will be Recipients must reapply for renewal consideration. 24 The YOU of A