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Institutional Scholarships

Requirements are subject to change by SAU Tech. Applications may be obtained from SAU Tech’s Financial Aid Office or  https://www.sautech.edu/scholarships. Be sure to review General Requirements for Institutional Scholarships for additional eligibility and renewal requirements.

Academic Challenge Supplemental Scholarship. The Academic Challenge Supplemental Scholarship valued at $250 per semester towards tuition, fees or books will be awarded to students who receive the Academic Challenge Scholarship from ADHE. As long as a student is eligible for and receiving the Academic Challenge Scholarship from ADHE they will be eligible for the supplement. Funds are very limited so apply early as awards will be based on eligibility and timeliness of the FAFSA application. This scholarship has no refundable cash value (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Academic Scholarship. The initial requirement for this scholarship is a minimum ACT score of 24. Student must enroll in at least 12 hours the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if student enrolls in 15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year, and maintains a 2.50 cumulative GPA. The scholarship is valued at full tuition and standard processing fees up to 15 credit hours plus $250 for books per semester. The value of this scholarship does not cover housing or other additional costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Alumni Scholarship – The initial requirement for this scholarship is the student must be a first-time entering freshman. Have a parent (not SAU Tech employee) or grandparent who graduated from SAU Tech with an Associate’s Degree. The student must have a 2.5 High School GPA or higher. Submit a 250 word essay on “What becoming a Rocket and receiving an Alumni Scholarship means to me.” Must enroll in at least 12 hours per semester. The value of the scholarship is tuition and standard fees for no less than 12 hours and no more than 15 hours. Complete 24 credit hours at year end and maintain a 2.5 GPA. This scholarship is good for 4 semesters (not used for summer terms).

Rocket High Award. To be eligible for the Rocket High Award the student must receive a Certificate of Proficiency through the SAU Tech Concurrent Enrollment Program or through the SAU Tech Career Academy or completed nine hours of concurrent credit with a minimum of 2.5 GPA. The student must enroll the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. The award is valued at $1500 per semester. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if the student enrolls in 15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year and maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The value of this scholarship covers tuition only; it does not cover fees, books, housing or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships are awarded on a first- come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Fire Service Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to applicants who are currently employed in fire service or active duty volunteers in fire service in Arkansas and have successfully completed the Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA) Firefighter II Certification Program. The scholarship is limited to college credit classes that apply toward a degree in fire service. This scholarship is renewable until the degree is completed or until the student has attempted 90 credit hours, whichever is earlier. The recipient must also maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA each semester or term. Complete withdrawals for two consecutive semesters of enrollment will result in the loss of the scholarship. To regain eligibility after such withdrawals, at least one semester must be successfully completed at the student’s expense. The value of this scholarship is the cost of tuition for classes taken at SAU Tech; it does not cover processing fees, Internet fees, non-credit course fees, books, supplies or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available and can be awarded in summer. Applicant must be registered for classes for scholarship to be awarded. Proof of certification and department affiliation are required. A renewal application must be submitted each semester.

First Generation Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to applicants who are first generation students. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if the student enrolls in at least 12 hours per semester, completes 75% of all enrolled classes, and maintains a 2.5 cumulative GPA. The value of this scholarship covers tuition only, it does not cover fees, books, housing, or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarships cannot be used for summer terms.)

Law Enforcement Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to applicants who are currently employed in law enforcement within the state and have successfully completed the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) Certification Program or the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Academy Certification Program. The scholarship is limited to college credit classes that apply toward the Professional Studies degree with emphasis in law enforcement or wildlife and fisheries. This scholarship is renewable until the degree is completed or until the student has attempted 90 credit hours, whichever is earlier, provided the recipient maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA each semester or term. Complete withdrawals for two consecutive semesters of enrollment will result in the loss of the scholarship. To regain eligibility after such withdrawals, at least one semester must be successfully completed at the student’s expense. The value of this scholarship is the cost of tuition for classes taken at SAU Tech; it does not cover processing fees, Internet fees, non-credit course fees, books, supplies, or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available and can be awarded in summer. Applicants must be registered for classes for scholarship to be awarded. Proof of certification and agency affiliation are required. A renewal application must be submitted each semester.

Merit Scholarship. The initial requirement for this scholarship is a minimum ACT score of 19 or equivalent. The student must be a first-time entering freshman (regardless of age) and enroll in at least 12 hours the fall semester. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if the student enrolls in 15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year, and maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The scholarship is valued at $1500 each semester. The value of this scholarship covers tuition only; it does not cover fees, books, housing, or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Nursing Scholarship - To be eligible for the Nursing Scholarship, the student must be accepted into the nursing program and be recommended by the Nursing Department. This scholarship covers tuitions costs for the Practical Nursing program. For continued eligibility, the recipient must maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA and remain in the nursing program. This scholarship cannot be combined with other Institutional scholarships. 

Progressive Scholarship - The initial requirement for this scholarship is a minimum ACT score of 19 or equivalent or a minimum 2.50 cumulative college GPA; is at least 21 years of age at the beginning of the fall semester; has not yet received an associate or bachelor degree. The Progressive Scholarship is renewable for three additional semesters provided the recipient enrolls in 12 credit hours each semester and completes a minimum of 18 credit hours per academic year and maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The value of this scholarship is $1000 per semester towards tuition; it does not cover fees, books, housing, or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms).

SAU Tech GED Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to two GED graduates per year who score the highest on the GED exam taken at the SAU Tech Adult Education Center in Ouachita, Dallas and Columbia counties. The scholarship must be used within one year of the scholarship award. The SAU Tech GED Scholarship is renewable for three additional semesters, provided recipients enroll in 15 credit hours a semester and pass at least 12 credit hours a semester, or students enrolled in 12 credit hours or less must complete all courses; students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester and maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA each semester. The value of this scholarship is the cost of tuition for the classes in which the recipient is enrolled up to 15 credit hours; it does not cover fees, books, housing, or other costs and has no refundable cash value. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms).

SkillsUSA Scholarship. Students who have earned the Tuition Waiver Award by receiving a GOLD MEDAL in state competition or participated as an officer and present a certificate from SkillsUSA will be awarded a tuition only scholarship for $1500 per semester. The student must be fully admitted in a degree/certificate program, begin the fall semester after high school graduation, and be enrolled in 12 credit hours the fall semester and 15 hours each additional semester. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional semesters provided the student maintains 2.00 cumulative GPA and completes 24 credit hours per academic year. The value of this scholarship covers tuition only; it does not cover fees, books, housing or other costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Student Life Ambassador Academic Scholarship. To be eligible for the Student Life Ambassador Academic Scholarship the student must turn in two written recommendations, one from their high school counselor and one from a high school teacher. The applicant must also write a one-page essay on why they want to be a Student Life Academic Ambassador at SAU Tech and achieve a minimum ACT score of 24. Student must enroll the fall semester immediately following high school graduation and must enroll in at least 12 hours the first semester.  The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if student enrolls in 15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year, maintains a 2.50 cumulative GPA, and is recommended by their work supervisor. The scholarship is valued at full tuition and standard processing fees up to 15 credit hours plus $250 for books per semester. Recipients must work 15 hours a week and will be paid from either FWS or IWS in addition to their scholarship. Student Life Ambassadors will work for the College giving tours, making telephone calls, doing mail outs, visiting local high schools, working college nights, and other duties as assigned. Students will be selected by the Student Life Office or Enrollment Services Office through an interview process. The value of this scholarship does not cover housing or other additional costs and has no refundable cash value. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms.)

Student Life Ambassador Merit Scholarship. To be eligible for the Student Life Ambassador Merit Scholarship the student must turn in two written recommendations, one from their high school counselor and one from a high school teacher if they are a high school senior. If the applicant is not a high school senior, he/she can turn in recommendations from a college professor and/or employer. The applicant must also write a one-page essay on why they want to be a Student Ambassador at SAU Tech and achieve a minimum ACT of 19 or equivalent or has a college cumulative GPA of 2.5 if not an incoming freshman. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if the student enrolls in at least 12 credit hours the first semester and  15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year, maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA, and is recommended by their work supervisor. The scholarship is valued at $1500 per semester. Recipients must work 15 hours a week and will be paid from either FWS or IWS in addition to their scholarship. Student Life Ambassadors will work for the College giving tours, making telephone calls, doing mail outs, visiting local high schools, working college nights, and other duties as assigned. Students will be selected by the Student Life Office or Enrollment Services Office through an interview process. The value of this scholarship does not cover housing or other additional costs and has no refundable value. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms).

Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship. The initial requirement for this scholarship is that the student must graduate from high school as either the valedictorian or salutatorian, achieve a minimum ACT score of 21, and enroll the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. For schools that do not designate a valedictorian or salutatorian SAU Tech can accept a ranking of one or two from the high school counselor. The scholarship may be renewed for three semesters if the student enrolls in 15 credit hours each semester, completes a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year, and maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The scholarship is valued at full tuition and standard processing fees up to 15 credit hours plus $250 for books per semester. This scholarship does not cover housing or other additional costs and has no refundable cash value. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis provided funds are available. (Scholarship cannot be used for summer terms).

General Requirements for Institutional Scholarships

  1. All applicants must be fully admitted and degree seeking; must not already have an Associate or Bachelor degree.
  2. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
  3. Beginning in the 2022-23 year, students receiving the Academic, Merit, Rocket High, Student Life Ambassador Merit and Academic, and SkillsUSA scholarships may enroll in at least 12 hours the first semester and receive full value of award amount. 15 hour enrollment is required for each semester afterwards. 
  4. Scholarships are awarded on a fall/spring basis. Scholarships cannot be used for summer sessions (unless otherwise stipulated).
  5. Scholarships are good for a total of up to four consecutive semesters or until the student receives an Associate degree, whichever is earlier, provided the student meets renewal requirements. If the student is not enrolled for a semester the scholarship is lost.
  6. Scholarship applications must be completed and submitted with items needed by the stated deadline; first to apply and submit all documentation will receive preference; waiting list applies after stated deadline. Scholarships will be awarded to the extent funds are available.
  7. ACT, Accuplacer, and other assessment scores are accepted for some scholarship applications.
  8. SAU Tech scholarship funds only pay for tuition (in-state only), unless otherwise notated. Only one scholarship awarded per student.
  9. Scholarships are reviewed at the end of the spring semester to determine if renewal requirements are met (i.e., “at year end”).
  10. These scholarships are merit based, but the Financial Aid Office will encourage and strongly recommend students fill out a FAFSA and apply with other aid sources.
  11. For students who are in "restricted programs" (hours for a specific program are restricted to a certain hour enrollment), scholarship amounts will not be pro-rated. Students will receive the full value of the scholarship.