Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send ADHE my transcripts?
If your institution does not have an electronic transcript delivery option, your official transcript may be mailed to us at:
Arkansas Division of Higher Education
ATTN: Financial Aid Department
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201-3818
Your institution also has the option to fax your transcript to us at (501) 371-2001.
What is a YOUniversal account?
This would be the account you created when you first completed the ADHE search and application process. Access it by going to https://sams.adhe.edu/ and logging in under "Returning User."
How do I change my ADHE account information?
I can’t log into my account. How can I regain access?
If you remember your email address and password that you used to create your account, you can go to the ADHE financial aid homepage and log in under returning user, using the email and password with which your account was created. If you do not remember your username or password, click on “Forgot email or password?” below. If you forgot which email address you used, you will be asked some questions to verify your identity, and your email address will be confirmed. If you forgot your password, the system will send you an email with a link to a site where you can create a new one.
I sent in my transcript; why is my status still saying I am on probation?
Where can I find the Rules and Regulations that govern ADHE financial aid programs?
For an A-Z list of all of the scholarship programs offered by the State of Arkansas, just click the button below.
How do I transfer my scholarship to a different College or University?
If you are transferring schools, it is very important that you let us know. In order to request a transfer in your YOUniversal account, you can log in at https://sams.adhe.edu/ and select “Change Schools.” The deadlines to request a transfer are October 1 for the fall semester and February 1 for the spring semester. Please note that you may only transfer your scholarship to an approved Arkansas institution of higher education. For a list of eligible colleges, click the button below.
How do I put my scholarship on hold?
In order to place your scholarship on hold, you can fill out the hold request form at https://sams.adhe.edu/ The form is located under students in the "How to use YOUniversal" subsection. You may also click the button below to go straight to the form. The deadlines for hold requests are October 1 for fall holds, and February 1 for spring holds. You can hold your scholarship for up to four semesters for certain reasons.
I didn’t complete my required hours during the regular school year, or my GPA has fallen below the requirement. How can I get my scholarship back?
What is the difference between the FAFSA and ADHE’s YOUniversal System?
You must complete EACH application to be considered for each type of aid. Completion of the FAFSA is NOT an application for any of the ADHE programs, nor is completion of the YOUniversal application the same as the FAFSA.
How do I get my FAFSA information to ADHE?
What are the criteria for determining priority should there be insufficient funding for all eligible applicants?
For the GO! Grant, available funding goes first to returning students. If there are funds remaining, students will be prioritized by level of need, with those showing the greatest need having highest priority.
For other programs, please check the program’s Rules and Regulations.
Do I have to reapply for any of the ADHE scholarship or grant programs?
The Higher Education Opportunities Grant (the GO! Grant) is also renewed automatically, but you must complete a new FAFSA each year to show continued need.
Teachers must submit a new application for TOP and STEP each year.
What does my scholarship application status mean?
When you log into your YOUniversal account, you will notice that your scholarship applications have a current status listed. You can see the meaning of each status at the link below:
I accepted my award. What else do I have to do?
I applied near the beginning of the application period and still have not heard anything. Why is that?
Does ADHE have the needed documents to complete my application?
What is Arkansas' policy on stacking my financial aid?
When a student receives a student aid package that includes state aid and the student aid package exceeds the cost of attendance, the postsecondary institution shall repay state aid in the amount exceeding total cost of attendance, starting with state aid received under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship under §6-85-201 et seq.
I am a student coming out of high school. Will there be Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship money for me?
How many hours do I have to enroll in to receive my Arkansas Academic Challenge?
Students must be enrolled in at least fifteen (15) semester hours to receive the above amounts. The award amount will be one-half the above amount for students enrolled in six (6) to eight (8) hours. The award amount will be three-quarters of the above amount for students enrolled in nine (9) to fourteen (14) hours. All hours must be taken at one institution.
For Traditional Students:
Students must enroll in at least twelve (12) semester hours the first fall semester immediately following high school graduation, and fifteen (15) semester hours each semester thereafter, as of close of business on the 11th day of classes in a program of study leading to a bachelors or associates degree, or a qualified certificate. You must be enrolled in the appropriate number of credit hours at one institution each semester. This scholarship will not be split among multiple colleges in a semester.
Where can I find programs that qualify for the Arkansas Future (ArFuture) Grant or Arkansas Workforce Challenge?
Where can I find the 2021-2022 "How to Pay for College" booklet?
The "How to Pay for College: A Guide for Arkansas Student" booklet is published yearly by the Arkansas Student Loan Authority and details the financial aid process and available programs to help your student find aid.
How do I request to forfeit my freshman award amount for Arkansas Academic Challenge?
If you are an Arkansas high school senior who has/will earn 27 college credit hours or more prior to beginning college in the Fall (after your senior year), you may be eligible to request an increase in Arkansas Academic Challenge funding from the freshmen level to the sophomore/junior level. By receiving the higher level, you agree to forfeit the first semesters of eligible funding of Arkansas Academic Challenge. Requests to forfeit the freshman award amount are due by July 1.