ASU System Launches Adult Scholarship Fund for Arkansas Students

By the Arkansas Delta Informer Staff

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas State University System, the state’s second-largest higher education system with nearly 40,000 students, has unveiled a privately funded scholarship trust for adult students who have historically faced financial hardships in pursuing a college education or workforce training.

On Tuesday (May 12), ASU announced that the new, privately funded Educational Scholarship Fund is accepting applications from adults who are U.S. citizens, have been residents of Arkansas for at least 13 months, and have at least 3 years of life experience after high school without attending college. Full- and part-time students who want to attend classes either on an ASU System campus or through online courses are eligible for the scholarship.

The renewable scholarship is ideal for adults whose personal or financial circumstances delayed college early in life, said Dr. Robin Myers, interim president of the ASU System

“These funds are designed to assist adults who have reached a stage where they are ready to pursue college after previously experiencing challenges that made it impossible earlier in life,” said Myers. “Applicants might also be adults who are ready for a career change or need certain certifications or degrees to advance in their careers. Individuals who have served in the military since high school and are ready to pursue postsecondary education would also be possible candidates.”

Scholarship funds are available for use at any ASU System institution, including A-State flagship campus in Jonesboro, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, ASU-Beebe, ASU-Mountain Home, ASU-Newport, ASU Mid-South in West Memphis and ASU Three Rivers in Malvern. Online students in the ASU System are also eligible.

 Eligible undergraduate or graduate students must pursue academic fields such as business, healthcare, science, technology or vocational training. Liberal arts and legal fields are specifically excluded. Recipients may also use the first two years of degree plan scholarship toward tuition, books and associated fees. Funds during the remaining two years of a four-year degree plan may be available under select circumstances.

Funds are also available to pay for required admissions testing at any ASU System institution. To see a complete list of criteria and certain exclusions on eligibility and to apply for ASU System Educational Scholarship Fund assistance, visit www.asusystem.edu/scholarship.

Earlier in the fall, A-State also celebrated a record-breaking student body with 11th-day enrollment surging to 17,926, fueled by the largest freshman class ever and record credit hours. Altogether, the ASU System serves nearly 39,000 students annually, including more than 17,000 at sprawling A-State in Jonesboro. The system employs 3,725 faculty and staff and has a total operating budget of $314.4 million for fiscal Year 2026. 

The ASU board of trustees, based in Little Rock, is currently seeking nominations and applications for its next president. In December, Brendan Kelly announced that he was resigning after only 15 months on the job to take over the same role at his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. Kelly, who took over the role in September 2024, was only the third president in ASU’s history.