"Lottery Scholarship"
5/6/2010

The Financial Aid Office has received a number of questions recently in regard to the State Scholarships and in particular the “Lottery Scholarship.” Hopefully, we can provide a little better understanding of the processes for you.

The first step is that the student must go to: www.fafsa.gov. and apply through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before any state grants/scholarships can be considered. It is a requirement this year that even though there is no “need” to be considered, the student still must complete the FAFSA.

Immediately, the student should then go to the Arkansas Department of Education website at: www.adhe.edu.

ADHE now has a “YOUniversal” Scholarship application form you can complete that applies for all of their scholarships. You are notified which scholarships you are eligible to be considered for based on the information you have provided.

The confusion about the lottery scholarship seems to have come about because it is called the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship. Rather than creating a new scholarship for the funds derived from the lottery funds, ADHE elected to expand the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship to include current and non-traditional students rather than just current graduating high school seniors. When you complete the “YOUuniversal” scholarship, you are applying for this scholarship. Students who were eligible for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship last year, and stayed eligible, will receive the Arkansas Challenge this year at the rate approved. There will not be a second scholarship with funds that were received for “lottery” revenues. As already stated, the Arkansas Challenge has been expanded to include more students.

You will be notified by ADHE if you are qualified for any scholarship and for how much. Notification for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship probably will not go out until after June 1, which is the deadline. The Financial Aid Office has nothing to do with the decision as to whether you receive this scholarship or not. You need to direct any questions to: June Morgan, ADHE at: 1-800-54study. (1-800-547-8839).

There are certain documents that must be submitted to ADHE. Please make sure you have forwarded everything to them they require. Failure to do so will probably result in you not being eligible.

1098-T Forms
March 12, 2009 - April, 15 2010

New Nursing Scholarship
April 29, 2010

"Lottery Scholarship"
May 6, 2010

Year Round Pell
May 14, 2010

Direct Student Loans
June 1, 2010

DEGREE CENTER STUDENTS
August 1, 2010