Governor’s Scholars Program – Non-Distinguished Scholars | GS
Important Note: The following information is intended as a general overview of the program for those applying, or who are considering applying, for the scholarship and is not intended to be a comprehensive compilation of program requirements. For complete information, please refer to the program’s rules and regulations.
The Governor’s Scholars (Non-Distinguished) Scholarship is offered to the highest scoring high school senior in an Arkansas county where a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar was not able to be chosen for that year. It will also be offered to high school seniors that will graduate with a Diploma of Distinction or that have earned an Associate’s degree while in high school. FAFSA is required. The scholarship pays tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board up to $5,000 per year.
Scholarship Deadline to Apply
Annual Deadline
July 1
Requirements
Be the highest scoring student between ACT or SAT score, unweighted cumulative GPA, and class rank for an Arkansas county that a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar was not selected; or graduate high school with a Diploma of Distinction; or earn an Associate’s degree by the end of the summer semester following your high school graduation.
Award Amount
Up to $5,000 per academic year for 4 years ($20,000 total)
Who May Apply:
High school seniors graduating in their academic year
Note: Non-U.S. Citizens with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or have a parent who has an EAD may apply for the Governor’s Scholars Program (FAFSA will not be required for these students). Please contact our office at 501-371-1064 if this is your situation.
Detailed Description
Basic Eligibility Criteria
An applicant must:
- Be a bona fide resident of Arkansas for 12 months
- Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien
- Note: Or you or your parent are an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) holder
- Be a graduating high school senior
- Have completed the ACT or SAT prior to the annual deadline above
- Complete the FAFSA
- Begin attendance in at least 15 credit hours each semester at college/university (only 12 credit hours is required your first semester)
Continuing Eligibility Criteria
- Student must maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the end of each academic year
- Student must earn 27 semester credit hours during the first academic year and 30 semester credit hours per year thereafter.
Award Amounts
- The Governor’s Scholars (Non-Distinguished) Scholarship will pay up to $5,000 per year for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. Students are eligible to accept both the Academic Challenge and the Governor’s Scholars (Non-Distinguished) Scholarship. If a student receives both, the award amounts are listed below for each year they are receiving the scholarships.
- Student receiving both Governor’s Scholars (Non-Distinguished) Scholarship and Academic Challenge per Academic Year at a 4-Year institution:
| Academic Challenge | Governor's Scholars | |
| Year 1 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Year 2 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Year 3 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Year 4 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
- Student receiving both Governor’s Scholars (Non-Distinguished) Scholarship and Academic Challenge per Academic Year at a 2-Year institution until they transfer to a 4-Year institution:
| Academic Challenge | Governor's Scholars | |
| Year 1 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Year 2 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| 5th Semester | $1,000 | $2,500 |
Other Information
Graduate School Criteria
Those that graduate from undergrad early have the option to use the remaining semesters for graduate school. There are a few rules that come with this option, listed below:
- Students who graduate early from undergrad have the option to use one or both remaining semester(s) from their Senior year of funding for graduate school. (Max 2 semesters)
- The Graduate school must be based in Arkansas, or an eligible Out-of-State School and Program
- See “Approved Institution” definition in Rules and Regulations.
- Student must be accepted and start the graduate program the semester immediately following their undergraduate graduation (summer semesters not included).
- Students must submit their Graduate School Form and attach their graduate acceptance letter, linked below.
- If a student has an extenuating circumstance or your graduate program doesn’t start immediately following your graduation, they can have their scholarship held up to a year by submitting a hold through their SAMS account.
- Students must earn 30 hours with a 3.00+ GPA the academic year prior to beginning their graduate program in a Fall semester or 15 hours with a 3.00+ GPA if your graduate program begins in a Spring semester following graduating in a Fall semester in the middle of an academic year.
The scholarship amount for graduate school is based on the hours enrolled in. Seniors receive $2,500 a semester, if enrolled in 9 or more hours. Below is a chart of the proration.
- Enrolled in 3-5 hours= 50%
- Enrolled in 6-8 hours= 75%
- Enrolled in 9+ hours=100%
To request your remaining semesters be used for graduate school, please submit your Graduate Acceptance Letter using the link below.