6 Scholarships Everyone Can Apply For

By Arkansas Next staff on Monday, October 25, 2021

You don’t always know what you’re up against when you’re applying, but it never hurts to throw your name into consideration — even if it’s a long shot.

1. YOUniversal Scholarship Application

The YOUniversal Scholarship application determines your eligibility for all of the state government-sponsored scholarships.

Deadline: Applications open on Oct. 1, and the deadline varies.
Requirements: You must complete the YOUniversal application, and some scholarships might require you to upload the FAFSA and other documents.
What You Get: Scholarships vary depending on your eligibility.


2. Ann Burns Smith Scholarship Endowment

The Arkansas Community Foundation offers this scholarship and many others. This one is a statewide scholarship for every Arkansan, but the foundation also breaks down their scholarships into regions. You might find a scholarship or two specific to your high school or county.

Deadline: March 1, 2022
Requirements: You must have a high school diploma or GED and be planning to attend a vocational school, college or university.
What You Get: $500-$3,000


3. RaiseMe

RaiseMe doesn’t offer just one scholarship but many. You can make a RaiseMe account for free, and then you add accomplishments to your profile like making team captain, acing a class or winning a club election. For each achievement you earn tiny scholarships that add up over time.

Deadline: Start as a freshman and continue from there.
Requirements: A RaiseMe account.
What You Get: However much you add over the years.


4. Regions Riding Forward Scholarship

Write an essay about an African American who inspired you and you could earn a scholarship from Regions Bank in celebration of Black History Month. Thirty scholarships available.

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2022
Requirements: Must be a student residing in states with Regions branches with plans to attend an accredited U.S. college in the coming academic school year.
What You Get: $3,500-$5,000


5. Niche “No Essay” College Scholarship

It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Every month, this scholarship awards $2,000 by random drawing, and all you have to do is submit a short application. You can try more than once.

Deadline: End of every month.
Requirements: Submit a short application, and the scholarship is awarded by random drawing.
What You Get: $2,000


6. AR Future Grant (ARFuture)

The grant applies to students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or regional high-demand areas of study. The grant is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Deadline: Jan. 10, 2022
Requirements: Complete the FAFSA; enrolled part-time or in an approved program at an approved institution.
What You Get: Covers tuition and fees for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs at Arkansas’ public institutions.