FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- State budget shortfalls have forced the elimination of Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships (ACS) for next fall's freshmen, but the University of Arkansas will pick up some of the slack by offering the $2,500 grants for one year to all who meet University of Arkansas admissions criteria and also meet ACS requirements.

"We want to do our part in helping high school seniors in the state by providing the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships to deserving students who might otherwise decide not to attend college next year," said University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White.

"Nothing is so important to the state's economic development and cultural life as providing more four-year college graduates, and we don't want to see a curtailment in the college-going rates of our young people," White added. "Even a one-year decline would be harmful to the state's future."

As of Feb. 1, there were 11,106 students statewide who were authorized to receive funds for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Of that total, 1,815 University of Arkansas students currently hold the scholarships, according to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

In response to White's action, Governor Mike Huckabee said, "I applaud Dr. White and the University of Arkansas for their extraordinary commitment to the students

of our state. Like others during this time of war and recession, Dr. White has exhibited leadership to find solutions rather than only trumpeting the problems."

Lu Hardin, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, said, "Dr. White and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, deserve a tremendous amount of credit for stepping up and helping the 2002 graduating class during difficult economic times. We at the Department of Higher Education hope this positive step by Dr. White will be the first of many scholarship solutions for students in Arkansas. Hopefully, the economy will be such that the Department of Higher Education can again help these students their sophomore year."

The one-year Academic Challenge Scholarships at the University of Arkansas will be funded through a combination of private and institutional funds, White said. "This is a program to bridge the one-year gap because of the state's budget shortfall," White added. "We hope and expect that the Academic Challenge Scholarships will be reinstated when the General Assembly convenes next year."

To qualify for the ACS, a family must have an income of less than $50,000. For each additional child, the income ceiling rises by $5,000.

To qualify for the ACS at the University of Arkansas, prospective students must apply to the University, meet University admissions requirements, and satisfy the need-based family income criteria for the ACS. Students also must apply for the Academic Challenge Scholarships through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education by June 1.

Arlene Cash, UA dean of enrollment services, said, "We expect great interest in this program from Arkansas students and their families. We’re excited to be able to extend this one-year offer in hopes that the dream of a college education for our young people will not be deferred."

To learn more, contact the Office of Admissions, 200 Hunt Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701, call 1-800-377-UofA (8632) or email deancash@uark.edu.

###