Arkansas Student Alumni Association Supports Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Alumni Staff

SAA members with their donation.

The Arkansas Student Alumni Association donated $1,000 to Off-Campus Student Services' Non-Traditional Student Scholarship, bringing the fund one step closer to endowment. For many years, the Arkansas Alumni Association has strived to give to incoming and current students through scholarships. The Arkansas Alumni Association consistently gives over $1 million each year in scholarships through its various chapter, society, and membership efforts. That mission is being carried on by SAA through growing efforts to not only endow the member book scholarship — but also impact other scholarship programs across campus.

This scholarship is intended to help non-traditional students at the University of Arkansas. Non-traditional students are those who might be age 25 or over, married, or with dependents, may have a G.E.D. or were home-schooled. Working full-time and trying to advance their career by going to school (many times they are also first-generation), they attend classes part-time, either on campus or online. They might also be financially independent (no support from parents). They are the students with very limited scholarship opportunities, as they are not "traditional" students. 

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal about adults who hold a bachelor's degree, Arkansas continues to be one of the bottom three along with West Virginia and Mississippi. In 2013, only 20.6 percent of residents in Arkansas held a bachelor's degree. In 2014, the Lumina Foundation placed that number even lower at 15.05 percent. At the same time, Lumina reported that 23.63 percent of Arkansas residents, ages 25-64 had some college but no degree. That's 355,280 people who started college, and for some unknown reason, were unable to finish.

Off-Campus Student Services is looking to endow the scholarship this semester in order to award the first one to a student in Spring 2017. Every little bit counts and interested donors can give online here. U of A employees can utilize payroll deduction if they wish to make a contribution using this form available online. Please contact Off-Campus Student Services with any questions at 479-575-7351.

Any student can become a member of the Student Alumni Association. Annual student memberships are $20. For more information or to become a member of the largest student organization on campus, stop by the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House at 491 N. Razorback Road or visit arkansasalumni.org/students.

About the Student Alumni Association: From business majors to band members, Greek to grad students, the Student Alumni Association is involved across campus — making it the biggest organization on the University of Arkansas campus. Members of the Student Alumni Association receive more than 80 perks, including 5 percent off textbooks and 10 percent off school supplies at the U of A Bookstore. Members can network with alumni through mentoring programs such as Hearing from a Hog and also have the opportunity to pick up official BEAT shirts before every home football game. The student organization also hosts many events, including Homecoming and the Senior Walk dedication, to further educate students on the goal of maintaining tradition. The board, along with the association, also organizes the Senior Awards recognition programming that include the Seniors of Significance, Razorback Classics and the Senior Honor Citation — the top student award on campus.

About Off-Campus Student Services: A department within the Division of Student Affairs, Off-Campus Student Services provides assistance, resources, and referrals  off-campus undergraduates including first-year students living at home, upperclassmen living off campus, and adult and non-traditional students to help support and retain them at the University of Arkansas.