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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

UAFS
Decision sheet

Arkansas · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

UAFS layers an automatic ACT-or-GPA merit grid (up to $6,000 + a $1,500 housing stipend) under competitive Prestigious awards that can reach full in-state tuition and fees — but every amount is 'up to' and the housing stipend is forfeited if unused in year one.

More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

Awards to discuss

The 3 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Freshman Merit Scholarships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Lion Pride)

$1,000-$6,000 · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.0 (Lion Pride) up to 4.0 (Platinum) · ACT: 19 (Lion Pride) up to 30 (Platinum)

Eligibility: Admission application also serves as the merit scholarship application; submit application, transcript, and test scores by May 1, 2026 (Fall 2026)

Renewal: Four years or degree completion; enroll in 12 credit hours/semester and earn 24 hours/academic year; 3.0 GPA for Platinum/Gold/Silver and 2.5 GPA for Bronze/Lion Pride; summer may be used to meet renewal. Housing stipend valid for Lion's Den housing up to four years.

Other terms: Each tier qualifies on ACT OR GPA (Platinum requires 30 ACT AND 4.0 GPA, OR Valedictorian). All amounts are 'up to' per year, PLUS up to a $1,500 housing stipend. Platinum up to $6,000; Gold up to $4,000; Silver up to $3,000; Bronze up to $2,000; Lion Pride up to $1,000.

https://uafs.edu/tuition-and-aid/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/freshman.php

First Bank Corp. Business Scholarship (Prestigious)

Full tuition and fees · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

GPA: 3.5 high school GPA · ACT: 27

Eligibility: Seeking a business degree in the College of Business and Industry; separate Prestigious Scholarship application required

Renewal: Maintain a 3.0 cumulative UAFS GPA; enroll in 15 credit hours each semester and earn 30 credit hours per year; four years or degree completion.

Other terms: Full tuition and fees over four years, plus optional $2,500 housing for two years. Highly competitive. Housing portion forfeited entirely if not used in year one; changing majors could result in loss of award.

https://uafs.edu/tuition-and-aid/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/freshman.php

Myles Friedman Honors Program Scholarship (Prestigious)

Full in-state tuition and mandatory fees · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

GPA: 3.5 high school GPA (OR) · ACT: 27 (OR)

Eligibility: Seeking a bachelor's degree; separate application plus competitive interview

Renewal: Maintain a 3.2 cumulative UAFS GPA; enroll in 15 credit hours each semester and earn 30/year (27 hours allowed in first year with 12 in first semester).

Other terms: Up to $34,000 over four years — full in-state tuition and mandatory fees (approximately $7,338.50/year per the page), plus optional $2,500 housing for two years. Preferred application deadline Nov. 15, 2025.

https://uafs.edu/tuition-and-aid/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/freshman.php

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: UAFS applies aid in a set order: non-institutional funds, including outside designated scholarships, are applied before institutional 'University Aid' merit scholarships, which are applied last. A student's final university scholarship disbursement may be reduced so that university aid never pays more than the total owed to the university, which can reduce the refund a student receives after charges are paid; the published policy does not state whether outside scholarships or loans specifically remain refundable.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-fort-smith/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.