Arkansas Plans to Award $150 Million in Scholarships for 2025-26 AcadeThe state of Arkansas is set to allocate $150 million in scholarships and awards to students in higher education for the 2025-26 academic year, increasing by $22.6 million. After voters approved expanding lottery-funded scholarships to technical and vocational school students, the state introduced the ACCESS bill, which stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarships, and standardization.
The Workforce Challenge Scholarship will receive an additional $9 million annually starting this fall, aimed at students training in high-demand professions. The bill also doubles the first-year Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship to $2,000 for eligible students, costing an estimated $8.7 million next year. Other new scholarships include the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act and a scholarship for disabled students.
The Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Sharon Strong, expressed excitement about the increased funding for scholarships, particularly for first-year higher education students. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery will fund $115.3 million in awards for the 2025-26 school year, with an additional $34 million funded by non-lottery revenue.
ACCESS also introduces the Governor’s Higher Education Transition Scholarship Program for students with disabilities and the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship for Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients. The Heroes Scholarship, which combines existing awards, will cover tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees at state-supported institutions.
Overall, the goal of ACCESS is to make education more accessible and affordable for students in Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the importance of providing educational opportunities beyond traditional four-year degrees, with a focus on high-demand professions and expanding access to scholarships for all students.ции ar.
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