Scholarship Program for Arkansas Transfer Students Reaches $1 Million Milestone

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The Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship supports transfer students throughout the state who enroll at the University of Arkansas to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The program reduces tuition rates at the U of A for students who graduate with associate degrees from any of the two-year colleges in the University of Arkansas System and then transfer to Fayetteville to continue their education. 

First launched in 2019, the program recently reached a remarkable milestone – offering a total of more than $1 million in support to Arkansas students. 

“The Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship helps us better serve dedicated and hardworking transfer students throughout the state of Arkansas,” said Charles Robinson, interim chancellor. “The students who benefit most from the ATAS program are those who have a strong drive to prepare for a successful future and who have an equally strong connection to Arkansas.”

Students at UA System community colleges who graduate with an associate degree are eligible to transfer to the University of Arkansas while continuing to pay the same tuition rate they paid at their two-year institution. This model creates significant opportunity for students in every corner of the state, and it subsequently contributes to the knowledge base and economic wellbeing of communities throughout Arkansas as these students graduate better prepared to thrive in the workforce. 

“The ATAS is an innovative way to meet Arkansas student where they are and give them the support they need to prepare for success in their academic and professional careers,” said Terry Martin, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This is an important part of our land-grant mission, and we are delighted by the number of students – especially first-generation students – this program is helping.”

The ATAS program is part of a larger focus on supporting Arkansas students. Since 2019, the university has invested an additional $6 million dollars in scholarships dedicated to Arkansans, and these new funds have created additional opportunities for both new and current students. Last year, 97% of Arkansas students who applied for scholarships received an award. 

The Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship is made possible by a strong partnership between the U of A and the system’s community colleges, who work closely with the university’s Transfer Central Office to ensure eligible students know about the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s in Fayetteville. 

“The ATAS has done more than just provide financial support to students. It's allowed the U of A and two-year schools in the system to work closely together to intentionally improve the transfer experience for our students,” said Chad Cox, associate director of Transfer Central. “Our work to establish 2+2 programs is just one example of that, and I know all of our partners are excited to see the program continue to serve students who are on their way to earning a degree.”

The ATAS program continues to grow and to attract new transfer students to the university. Potentially a model for other institutions, the program is soon to be featured in Inside Higher Ed. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.