Financial Aid in Arkansas (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Arkansas's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Arkansas FAFSA deadline for state aid
Academic Challenge Scholarship: July 1, 2026. ArFuture Grant: July 1, 2026 for fall; January 10, 2027 for spring.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Arkansas grant programs
Academic Challenge Scholarship
Lottery-funded scholarship for Arkansas residents, with award amounts that grow each year you stay enrolled.
ArFuture Grant
Covers tuition and fees for high-demand associate degree and certificate programs at two-year schools.
Administered by Arkansas Division of Higher Education. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Arkansas students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Arkansasstudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Arkansas?
For 2026–27 state aid: Academic Challenge Scholarship: July 1, 2026. ArFuture Grant: July 1, 2026 for fall; January 10, 2027 for spring. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Arkansas offer?
Academic Challenge Scholarship: Lottery-funded scholarship for Arkansas residents, with award amounts that grow each year you stay enrolled. ArFuture Grant: Covers tuition and fees for high-demand associate degree and certificate programs at two-year schools. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Arkansas resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Arkansas?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Arkansas Division of Higher Education determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.