Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send ADHE my transcripts?
It is up to you to request that your transcript be sent into the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. Most (but not all) institutions have an online transcript request form on their website or through your student portal at your institution. You can also reach out to your institution’s Registrar/Records department for assistance. Be sure to mark the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and/or finaid@adhe.edu as the transcript recipient on your request form.
Alternatively, if you would like to confirm we receive it and track when we process your transcript, you can upload it to us directly by having the official transcript sent to yourself. Once sent to yourself, you can upload the transcript in your SAMS account by clicking on “Details” for the scholarship in your account where an “Upload” button should appear in the application.
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
101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72201
What is a SAMS account?
SAMS stands for Scholarship Application Management System. This is 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.
How do I let my parents/guardians (or others) have access to my scholarship information?
What is the difference between the FAFSA and ADHE’s Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS)?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for such federal financial aid programs, such as the Pell Grant and student loans. ADHE’s Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS) is the application for State of Arkansas financial aid programs, such as the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
Completion of the FAFSA is NOT an application for any of the ADHE programs, nor is completion of the SAMS application the same as the FAFSA.
How do I get my FAFSA information to ADHE?
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 does my scholarship application status mean?
When you log into your SAMS 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?
Double-check your ADHE SAMS account to be sure the college you will be attending is the one listed on the account. If your college choice has changed, you can request Transfers directly through the My Profile page. To start this process, the Applicant will select Request Transfer.
Funds are sent to the college you put on your account. ADHE does not know which college you are attending unless you tell us.
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?
I sent in my transcript; why is my status still saying I am on probation?
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.
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 SAMS account, you can log in at https://sams.adhe.edu/, go to the My Profile page and select “Request Transfer.” 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?
You can request a hold through the My Scholarships page of your SAMS account (sams.adhe.edu). Click the "Request Hold" button toward the bottom of the page to access the request 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.
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.
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 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.
How do I request to forfeit to my senior award amount for Arkansas Academic Challenge?
If you have completed 87+ college credit hours prior to beginning college in the upcoming Fall or Spring semester, you may be eligible to request an increase in Arkansas Academic Challenge (Lottery) funding to the 4th year level of funding at $2,500 per semester for 2 semesters. Deadline: August 1st for Fall / January 1st for Spring
I am a student coming out of high school. Will there be Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship money for me?
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.
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.
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.
Where can I find programs that qualify for the Arkansas Future (ArFuture) Grant or Arkansas Workforce Challenge?
Where can I find the 2023-2024 "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.