Arkansas Future Grant (ArFuture)
Students who are currently enrolled in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or regional high-demand areas of study may qualify for this grant.
Who is eligible for the Arkansas Future Grant? #
To be considered for Arkansas Future Grant, an applicant must:
- Have either graduated from an approved Arkansas public school, private school, home school, or received a high school equivalency diploma, OR resided in Arkansas for at least three (3) years at the time of application and have either graduated from an out-of-state high school, private school, home school, or received a high school equivalency diploma approved by another state;
- Be enrolled part-time or full-time at an approved Arkansas’ institution of higher education in a program of study that leads to an associate degree or a certification in a STEM or regional high demand field;
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The deadline to apply for the fall semester is July 1 or January 10 for spring semester.
How much is the Arkansas Future Grant? #
As a last-dollar grant, ArFuture would go to students only after they’ve received federal and state aid and will vary from student to student based on their financial circumstances.
The award covers both tuition and fees for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs at Arkansas’ public institutions.
However, there is one caveat for grant recipients. #
In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, students must actively participate in a mentorship or community service program during their studies, AND upon graduation, they are obligated to work full-time in Arkansas for a minimum of three (3) years.
Failure to fulfill these requirements may result in the conversion of the grant into a loan that must be repaid to the state in full.