How UCA, ASU, Lyon, and WBU offer free tuition programs.
Each program has it’s nuances, and most are fully dependent on the FAFSA (not WBU tho!) You can decide for yourself which one is the best option for you based on the information below, and all of the info found was taken directly from each institutions website and/or news articles.
WBU in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Advertising Slogan: A Tuition-Free Education Opportunity
Does it cover the cost of tuition: Yes
Does it cover the cost of room & board: Yes*
How to qualify
– Students work 16 hours per week
– The Arkansas Challenge & Pell Grants are not required**, but they are factored into the Williams Works scholarship (just like the other schools are doing), but students who are not eligible for them can still be admitted into Williams Works! (so, they are not required to qualify).
# of Years Program Has Been Implemented: 4 years of proven success!
Application Deadline: None!
* The first year it cannot cover the cost of Room & Board but a 1/4th of your academic scholarship can go toward lowering the cost. If you work during the summer in the program for 40 hrs per week all summer, then Room & Board for the following Fall & Spring semesters are free.
* If you live in Lawrence County or Randolph County, you can commute.
** We do require you complete the FAFSA and Arkansas Challenge Application, but your eligibility to get into Williams Works is not dependent upon you receiving the Arkansas Challenge and/or a Pell Grant.
UCA in Conway, Arkansas
Advertising Slogan: A Debt-Free Degree Pathway
Does it cover the cost of tuition: Yes
Does it cover the cost of room & board: No*
How to qualify
– Be Pell-eligible or have an annual household income of $100,000 or less
– Students work 0-20 hours per week
– 10 hours of community service per semester
# of Years Program Has Been Implemented: 0
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
*Room and board (aka, housing and food) charges are not covered by the program; however, private scholarships may be applied toward those charges and institutional academic scholarships that specify funds for housing will apply to room and board costs.
ASU in jonesboro, Arkansas
Advertising Slogan: Free Tuition for Many Arkansans
Does it cover the cost of tuition: Yes
Does it cover the cost of room & board: $2,500 housing scholarship toward the cost of living on campus
How to qualify
– Annual household income of $70,000 or less
– 19+ ACT Superscore
– Cannot be combined with other institutional scholarships
– Must live on campus
# of Years Program Has Been Implemented: 0
Application Ideal Deadline: Feb 1, 2024
lyon in batesville, arkansas
Advertising Slogan: Backyard Access Plan
Does it cover the cost of tuition: Yes
Does it cover the cost of room & board: Grant of $3,750 which leaves a balance of $7,000 per year for housing and food IF you live on campus.
How to qualify
– Students must receive a full Pell Grant and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship (which requires a 19 on the ACT)
– Graduate from a local high school*
# of Years Program Has Been Implemented: 1
Application Deadline: Uncertain
* Participating schools include Batesville High School, Southside High School, Bald Knob High School, Bradford High School, Cave City High School, Cedar Ridge High School, Concord High School, Heber Springs High School, Highland High School, Hillcrest High School, Izard County Consolidated High School, Melbourne High School, Midland High School, Mountain View High School, Newport High School and Tuckerman High School.
Williams Works is the best way to pay for it with years of proven success, and your ability to afford it does not depend entirely on the FAFSA!
