University of Central Arkansas International Student Merit Scholarship

About this scholarship

The University of Central Arkansas International Student Merit Scholarship is an application-required award for outstanding new international undergraduates beginning a fall program at UCA. The Center for Global Learning and Engagement lists the scholarship at $4,000 per semester, with a maximum award of $32,000 across eight consecutive semesters or until completion of the bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. The award is partial funding because it is applied to the student account each fall and spring semester but does not cover all tuition, fees, housing, meals, health insurance, books, travel, and personal expenses. To compete, students must complete both the university admission application and the scholarship application by January 31. The scholarship application requires a short English essay on career goals, one teacher recommendation, and a resume highlighting extracurricular activities and community service. Applicants must be new international students seeking a UCA undergraduate degree, applying for fall admission, and must meet English proficiency plus one academic threshold: 3.25 GPA as calculated by UCA, SAT 1160, or ACT 24. Renewal requires a 3.0 UCA cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment, good immigration status, and participation in cultural activities.

Eligibility

• Apply as a new international undergraduate degree-seeking student at UCA
• Apply for fall admission; spring applicants are not eligible
• Submit the university admission application and all required documents by January 31
• Submit the scholarship application by January 31
• Meet minimum English proficiency scores
• Meet at least one academic criterion: 3.25 UCA-calculated GPA, SAT 1160, or ACT 24
• Submit a 250-word maximum career-goals essay, one teacher recommendation, and a two-page maximum resume
• Maintain a 3.0 UCA GPA, 12 undergraduate credits, good immigration status, and good academic standing for renewal