Check out the new information regarding all scholarships. The 2026-2027 Scholarship Application will be available January 1 — February 15, 2026.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design has the opportunity to award numerous scholarships on an annual basis. These gifts allow us to support the University of Arkansas’ mission of recruiting and retaining high-achieving students who enrich the academic/design environment. Scholarships are available for both current and prospective students.

Each scholarship has specific criteria based on the donor’s wishes; however, the selection process is coordinated by the Fay Jones School’s Scholarship Review and Selection Committee. Examples of criteria include academic merit, financial need, department or major, interests, organizational involvement, and portfolio submission. Because most Fay Jones School scholarships (including renewable scholarships) are one-year awards, all current and prospective students are encouraged to apply each year.

NOTE: The AcademicWorks system will send email communications from scholars@uark.edu. Be sure to add this email address to your list of contacts or address book, as some email servers may block the address or mark them as spam/junk. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder for emails from the system if you are not receiving them.

To be considered for a Fay Jones School scholarship, you must complete the General Application using the AcademicWorks system before completing the college-specific application. All pieces of the scholarship application will be submitted online unless specifically noted. An essay, academic résumé will be required. Submission period is from January 1 to February 15, 2026 (through 11:59 p.m.).

Only complete applications will be considered eligible for scholarship consideration. Many scholarships are awarded based on financial need and require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you complete this as soon as possible.

Prospective students: The Fay Jones School has established several Freshmen Recruiting Awards to draw top-notch students into the program. Deadline is February 15.

Current students: The Fay Jones School also offers several All-School Awards, Architecture Student Awards, Landscape Architecture Student Awards and Interior Architecture and Design Student Awards. Deadline is February 15.

For more information on specific Fay Jones School awards and eligibility requirements, please contact Melinda Smith at melindas@uark.edu

To learn about the undergraduate scholarships offered by the University of Arkansas, please visit the Academic Scholarship Office.

 

Awards Offered		2026-2027 Scholarship Program Timeline January 1, 2026: Online scholarship application for the upcoming academic year goes live. February 2026: All interested students must apply no later than February 15th March – April 2026: Fay Jones School Committee meets to award departmental and general school scholarships. Students are notified of selection Mid-April 2026: Honors Recognition Ceremony and Reception is held. September 2026: Fall semester scholarship disbursements post to students’ accounts, generally after the 11th day of class. January 2026: Spring semester scholarship disbursements post to student accounts.
Award Follow Up		Scholarship recipients will be contacted by the Coordinator for Recruitment and Scholarships to complete an Award Recipient Biography Form. This form will be required to be completed prior to any funds being applied to a recipients student account.
Honors College Fellowships & Grants		Each year, up to 90 new freshmen at the university receive prestigious fellowships that provide up to $80,000 in support over four years, with extra semesters of funding available for academic programs with degree plans longer than four years. Once enrolled at the university, honors students are also able to apply for more than $1 million in competitive study abroad and research grants that the Honors College offers each year. For more information, contact the Honors College at honors@uark.edu or 479-575-7678.

 

Generally awarded on the basis of financial need, grants are "free money." Unlike loans, grants need not be repaid unless you are awarded funds incorrectly or you withdraw from school. University of Arkansas students received more than $10 million in grants in 2007.

A little bit of research and a few forms could save you big bucks. The key: apply early!

There are four types of federal student aid grants:

•     Federal Pell Grant

•     Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

•     Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

•     National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)

The State of Arkansas also provides student aid grants:

•     The GO! Opportunities Grant

•     The Workforce Improvement Grant

•     The Challenge Grant/Scholarship

Corporate grants are available, as well. For example, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has established the Wal-Mart Scholars Endowed Fund for Arkansas residents with demonstrated financial need.

For more information, visit the University of Arkansas' Office of Financial Aid.

The Federal Work-Study program allows you to help pay your way through school. These jobs typically offer flexible hours and a minimal commute, saving you time (and gas money!).

Plus, you will gain work experience and develop professional contacts that will be valuable once the post-degree job hunt begins.

Work-study jobs cover a wide range of activities. You may

•     Escort other students home at night

•     Work as a lifeguard at the HPER pool

•     Shelve books in a library

•     Proof documents

•     Answer the phone in an office

•     Tutor other students

It all depends on what's available each semester -- and the skills you bring to campus. Your financial aid officer will help you find the best possible match.

Hours vary depending on the job. Typically a student will work 10 to 12 hours per week, but no more than 20 hours a week. Salaries vary by job, ranging from minimum wage to $16/hour. The average wage is about $8/hour.

For more information, check out the work study links on the Financial Aid web site.

Loans allow you to invest in your future. According to the Census Bureau, a bachelor's degree significantly raises your lifetime earning potential (over an adult's working life, high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million; bachelor's degree holders earn about $2.1 million - Day and Newburger, 2002).

In 2007 more than 5,500 University of Arkansas students relied on loans to pay for their education.  

Good things to know:

• The interest you pay on most student loans is lower than commercial rates, because in most cases the federal government subsidizes the rate.
• Student borrowers don't begin to repay Perkins or Stafford loans until they leave school or drop below half time.

Good thing to remember:

Student loans must be repaid! Consider all of your financial aid options, and your post-degree earning potential, before taking out loans.

Major loan programs include:

• Stafford Loans
• Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program

Terms vary depending on the loan. Typically, the more hours you complete, the more money can be borrowed. Remember, in most cases students must begin repaying their loan within a year of graduation.

For more information, visit the University of Arkansas' Financial Aid website.