The starting point
UCA's freshman academic scholarships are automatic on a single high-school GPA cutoff (no test score required), running from $2,000/year at a 3.50 GPA up to $10,500/year for Schedler Honors College admits.
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
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Achievement Scholarship
$6,500 per year (Tuition & Fee $5,000 + Housing $1,500) · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Minimum 4.00 Cumulative High School GPA (6th/7th semester transcript)
Eligibility: UCA first-time entering undergraduate; submit admission documentation by deadline; U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. No test score required.
Renewal: Year 1 (Fall to Spring): 11 UCA hours, min 2.75 UCA cumulative GPA. Year 1 (Spring to Fall): 27 combined hours, min 3.25 cumulative GPA. Year 2+: 11 hours/semester (30 annually) with min 3.25 per-semester and 3.25 annual UCA cumulative GPA. 15 UCA credit hours required; must live in University housing for the housing award.
Other terms: GPA-only award (no test score). Policy states institutional scholarships are 'highly competitive and awarded based on academic performance and available funds,' so meeting the 4.00 GPA does not strictly guarantee the award even though there is no competitive application. Deadline January 26, 2026.
https://uca.edu/scholarships/files/2025/03/2026-2027-Academic-Scholarship-Policy.pdf
University Scholarship
$4,500 per year (Tuition & Fee $3,500 + Housing $1,000) · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Minimum 3.75 Cumulative High School GPA (6th/7th semester transcript)
Eligibility: UCA first-time entering undergraduate; submit admission documentation by deadline; U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. No test score required.
Renewal: Year 1 (Fall to Spring): 11 UCA hours, min 2.50 UCA cumulative GPA. Year 1 (Spring to Fall): 27 combined hours, min 3.00 cumulative GPA. Year 2+: 11 hours/semester (30 annually) with min 3.00 per-semester and 3.00 annual UCA cumulative GPA. 15 UCA credit hours required; must live in University housing for the housing award.
Other terms: GPA-only award (no test score). Same 'highly competitive / based on available funds' caveat as Achievement. Deadline May 4, 2026.
https://uca.edu/scholarships/files/2025/03/2026-2027-Academic-Scholarship-Policy.pdf
Future Leaders Scholarship
$2,000 per year (Tuition & Fee $1,000 + Housing $1,000) · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Minimum 3.50 Cumulative High School GPA (6th/7th semester transcript)
Eligibility: UCA first-time entering undergraduate; submit admission documentation by deadline; U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. No test score required.
Renewal: Year 1 (Fall to Spring): 11 UCA hours, min 2.50 UCA cumulative GPA. Year 1 (Spring to Fall): 27 combined hours, min 2.75 cumulative GPA. Year 2+: 11 hours/semester (30 annually) with min 2.75 per-semester and 2.75 annual UCA cumulative GPA. 15 UCA credit hours required; must live in University housing for the housing award.
Other terms: Entry-level GPA-only award (no test score). Half of the $2,000 is a housing award that only applies if the student lives in University housing. Deadline May 4, 2026.
https://uca.edu/scholarships/files/2025/03/2026-2027-Academic-Scholarship-Policy.pdf
Ask before you decide
- Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
- What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
- How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?
Recorded stacking policy: UCA caps total scholarships at the student's cost of attendance per Arkansas Code 6-80-105. If awards exceed COA, the Arkansas Academic Challenge is reduced first, then (in order) UCA academic, departmental/performance, other ADHE scholarships/grants, and other public funds. Private/outside scholarships are counted in the package but are NOT reduced by the University.
Our unanswered questions / Family notes
