Fifteen years after its inception, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) remains a vital source of support for students in Arkansas. Since 2009, the lottery has generated over $1.4 billion in scholarship funds, benefitting more than 822,000 traditional and non-traditional students.
“Supporting students has always been the cornerstone of our mission at the lottery,” said ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong. “We’ve seen for the past fifteen years how Arkansans have benefited from the scholarships we fund, and we’re excited to keep up the good work.” She added, “Everyone wins when students succeed.”
The deadline for applying to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is July 1. This scholarship is available to residents attending two-year or four-year colleges and universities within the state. Both traditional and non-traditional students are encouraged to apply. “Regardless of whether you’re a high school senior or you’re re-enrolling after some time away, this scholarship is for you,” Strong noted.
Beyond the Academic Challenge Scholarship, ASL also supports other initiatives such as the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and the ACCESS to Acceleration program. The Workforce Challenge Scholarship targets students seeking training in high-demand fields like construction trades, healthcare, HVAC, IT, and industrial maintenance. Meanwhile, ACCESS to Acceleration will replace the Concurrent Challenge Scholarship by aiding high school students enrolled in college courses.
While ASL plays a significant role in raising funds for these scholarships, it is the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) that awards them. For details on eligibility or application processes, individuals can contact ADHE at (501)-371-2000 or visit sams.adhe.edu.
For further information about ASL and its offerings, MyArkansasLottery.com serves as a resource.
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has been operational since 2009 and has sold over $7.9 billion worth of tickets while returning more than $1.4 billion in scholarships for Arkansas students. Over 822,000 scholarships have been distributed through ADHE to date.
To stay updated on ASL activities or seek assistance with problem gambling issues, resources are available through various channels including social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), as well as helplines dedicated to responsible gaming practices.
