Sure, a debt-free college education sounds appealing, but it's often too good to be true. Other institutions may promise a debt-free experience by offering a last-dollar scholarship, essentially applying your financial aid package (state and federal aid) to the cost of Tuition & Fees first, then applying institutional funds in the form of scholarships and other aid to your account balance. A last-dollar scholarship usually covers the cost of only tuition and fees after applying federal, state, and institutional financial aid to an account balance. This method may leave you responsible for housing, meals, books, and other out-of-pocket expenses because the full cost of attending college extends beyond Tuition & Fees.
At Arkansas Tech University, we believe in giving you the financial flexibility to make the most of your college experience. That is why we apply ATU institutional funds to your account balance first, before we apply your state and federal aid, potentially leaving you with money to cover more than just Tuition & Fees. No Strings Attached.
This approach puts you first! It eases the financial burden on you and your family while also supporting ATU’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and accessible education to all.
Them |
Us |
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Be an Arkansas Resident |
No Residency Requirement |
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Earn At or Below a Specific Income |
No Income Level Specified |
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Pell-eligible per a Completed FAFSA |
No Eligibility Requirement |
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Must Apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship through ADHE |
No Application Required (though it is encouraged) |
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Work-Study Requirements |
No Requirements for Work-Study |
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Required Service Hours or Volunteer Work |
No Required Service Hours or Volunteer Work |
It’s always FREE for First-time entering Freshmen to apply to ATU, and you're automatically considered for Academic Scholarships when you’re admitted.
No need to:
Apply to ATU today and you’ll see what scholarships you qualify for and be able to compare financial aid packages and cost of attendance. It’s clear that at ATU, there are no strings attached, and that’s how we’ve always operated.
A: A last-dollar scholarship is just that…institutions apply every “last dollar” of your financial aid and scholarship package before they will pay off the remaining balance of your tuition and fees.
A: Arkansas Tech University understands that cost-savings is vital for our prospective students and their families. While our institution does not offer a last-dollar scholarship, we encourage you to submit an application for admission to learn what scholarships you may qualify for. From there, you can compare financial aid packages as well as the cost of attendance (to include not only tuition and fees but also housing, meal plan, books, etc.) to determine the best deal.
A: A last-dollar scholarship usually covers the cost of tuition and fees only after applying federal, state, and institutional financial aid to your account balance. This method may leave you responsible for housing, meals, books, and other out-of-pocket expenses that might have been covered by other forms of aid. Plus, there are typically many requirements you must meet in order to even qualify for a last-dollar scholarship.
A: At Arkansas Tech University, we believe in giving you the financial flexibility to make the most of your college experience. That’s why we apply institutional scholarship funds you’ve earned towards tuition and fees first, before applying state and federal aid, potentially leaving you with money to pay for things like housing, meals, and books. No Strings Attached.
A: While some institutions are advertising free tuition in the form of a last-dollar scholarship, we encourage prospective students to read the fine print. Additional requirements at these institutions to receive and keep that scholarship may include but are not limited to:
A: No, you are not required to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible to receive an Academic Scholarship from ATU, but you really should fill it out. The FAFSA is the application for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. With the changes for the 2024-25 school year, we anticipate many more students will be eligible for Pell Grants and need-based aid like work-study and/or loans, which means the Department of Education will pay the interest while you are in school!
If you need help completing the FAFSA, you can email the Arkansas Tech University Financial Aid Office at fa.help@atu.edu, or give us a call at (479) 968-0399.
A: It’s easy to apply for Academic Scholarships at ATU, because your application for admission also serves as your scholarship application. ATU Academic Scholarships are a flat-rate amount and are awarded based on your high-school GPA. There is no application fee and no essay to complete. Simply fill out the online undergraduate application for admission and send the ATU Office of Admissions a current copy of your high school transcript by the March 1 scholarship deadline.
A: There is no tuition hour cap for these scholarships. Your scholarship will be combined with any other aid for which you’ve applied and are eligible. Your total aid package will be applied to all your charges, not only tuition and fees. You must enroll in at least 15 hours each term to get your scholarship.
Review the official renewal requirements
A: Yes, you can stack your ATU Academic Scholarship with other scholarships…up to the cost of attendance. So be sure to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge (Lottery) Scholarship and any other private scholarships you might be eligible to receive. Ask your high school counselor about any community scholarships available to students at your school. And don’t forget to complete the ATU Foundation Scholarship application by the March 1 deadline. You can find additional information and a link to the application on our website at
Get More Info. & Apply
A: We’re so glad you asked! Below are 5 quick and easy steps to stretch your dollar at ATU.
Submit ATU’s free application for admission.
Send a current copy of your high school transcript to the ATU Office of Admissions by the March 1 scholarship deadline.
Accept your ATU Academic Scholarship (on or before the deadline) using the link in your offer email or the QR code in the offer letter.
Complete the ATU Foundation Scholarship application by the March 1 deadline.
Explore other scholarship opportunities through the ATU Office of Financial Aid.
