The biggest scholarships for Arkansas students include the state's Governor's Distinguished Scholarship, worth up to $10,000 a year, and private full rides like the Donaghey Scholarship at UA Little Rock, worth up to $100,000. If you qualify for both, they stack for up to $140,000, enough to pay all your college expenses.
Stacking Donaghey and the Governor's award at a glance
- The Donaghey Scholarship is worth $92,000 to $100,000 over four years. It's merit based, open to every major, and about 25 new scholars are chosen each year.
- The Governor's Distinguished Scholarship pays up to $10,000 a year for four years ($40,000). It's for Arkansas high school seniors with a 32 ACT or 1410 SAT and a 3.5 GPA.
- The two awards fully stack. Together they can pay all your college expenses, up to $140,000 over four years.
- You must qualify for each award on its own. They have different requirements and separate applications, and winning one doesn't earn you the other.
- For fall 2027 entry, apply to Donaghey by January 15, 2027 (priority) or February 15, 2027 (final). The Governor's award is due March 1, 2027.
The George W. Donaghey Foundation has funded the Donaghey Scholarship Program at UA Little Rock since 1987. It's open to students from any state. But if you're an Arkansas senior with top test scores, you have a rare chance: a private full ride and the state's highest merit award, together.
How stacking scholarships for Arkansas students works
Stacking means using more than one scholarship toward your college costs. Some awards cancel each other out. Donaghey and the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship don't: if you win both, you keep both.
- Up to $100K: Donaghey Scholarship over four years
- Up to $40K: Governor's Distinguished Scholarship over four years
- Up to $140K: both awards stacked, enough to pay all your college expenses
Donaghey also stacks with Pell Grants and private scholarships. It doesn't stack with other UA Little Rock institutional scholarships.
Donaghey vs. the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship
- Who funds it: Donaghey Scholarship: George W. Donaghey Foundation. Governor's Distinguished: State of Arkansas (Division of Higher Education).
- Value: Donaghey Scholarship: $92,000 to $100,000 over four years. Governor's Distinguished: Up to $10,000 a year, $40,000 over four years.
- What it pays for: Donaghey Scholarship: Tuition and fees for up to 18 hours a semester for 8 semesters, an $8,000 to $10,000 yearly stipend, $700 a semester for on-campus housing, $8,500 for study abroad, and a laptop. Governor's Distinguished: Tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.
- Where you can use it: Donaghey Scholarship: UA Little Rock. Governor's Distinguished: Eligible Arkansas colleges, including UA Little Rock.
- How you're chosen: Donaghey Scholarship: Competitive: about 25 new scholars a year. Governor's Distinguished: Awarded to students who meet the criteria.
You must qualify for both awards
Two programs, two sets of rules. To stack these awards, you have to qualify for and win each one on its own. Meeting the requirements for one doesn't qualify you for the other.
The biggest differences:
- Donaghey is competitive. Meeting the minimums lets you apply. A committee then picks about 25 scholars based on your academic record, activities, essays, recommendations, and an interview. A 32 ACT doesn't guarantee a spot.
- The Governor's award has a higher test bar and residency rules. You need a 32 ACT or 1410 SAT, 12 months of Arkansas residency, and a FAFSA. A Donaghey offer doesn't count toward any of these.
- GPA: Donaghey Scholarship: 3.5 minimum (median 3.9). Governor's Distinguished: 3.5 cumulative.
- ACT or SAT: Donaghey Scholarship: 24 ACT or 1180 SAT (median 30 ACT). Governor's Distinguished: 32 ACT or 1410 SAT.
- Where you live: Donaghey Scholarship: Any state or country. Governor's Distinguished: Arkansas resident for 12 months.
- Student type: Donaghey Scholarship: Incoming freshmen, transfer students, current UA Little Rock students, and international students. Governor's Distinguished: Graduating high school seniors only.
- How you're selected: Donaghey Scholarship: Committee review of grades, activities, essays, recommendations, and an interview. Governor's Distinguished: Awarded if you meet every requirement.
- Other: Donaghey Scholarship: Admission to UA Little Rock. Governor's Distinguished: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (some EAD holders qualify) and a FAFSA.
Transfer and current students can still apply to Donaghey if they have fewer than 36 hours of college credit. AP and high school concurrent credit don't count. See the full Donaghey admission standards for everything the committee weighs.
Have a 32 ACT and a 3.5 GPA?
You meet the Governor's award test bar. Now earn a Donaghey spot too: its final deadline is February 15, 2027. Create your free Donaghey profile to get started.
How to apply for both scholarships
These are two separate applications with two separate decisions. Applying to one doesn't apply you to the other. Here's the order that works for fall 2027 entry:
- Apply for admission to UA Little Rock.
- Create your Donaghey profile and finish your application by January 15, 2027 (priority) or February 15, 2027 (final).
- File the FAFSA for fall 2027. The Governor's award requires it.
- Apply for the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship in the state's SAMS portal by March 1, 2027. If you hit a 32 ACT on the February 2027 test, submit a new SAMS application before the deadline.
- Watch for Donaghey decisions in mid to late March 2027, then review your aid package with UA Little Rock.
Keeping both awards
Both awards renew each year if you meet their rules. When the rules differ, follow the stricter one.
- GPA: Donaghey Scholarship: 3.0 cumulative. Governor's Distinguished: 3.25 cumulative.
- Course load: Donaghey Scholarship: Two honors core courses a semester. Governor's Distinguished: 15 hours a semester (12 your first semester); 27 hours your first year and 30 each year after.
- Other: Donaghey Scholarship: Live on campus in year one, study abroad, and complete a senior thesis. Governor's Distinguished: Stay at one college (unless there's a consortium agreement).
Donaghey pays tuition for up to 18 hours a semester, so a 15-hour load fits inside it.
Other scholarships for Arkansas students
The Governor's award isn't the only state aid that can sit beside Donaghey. Donaghey also stacks with:
- The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. It can combine with the Governor's award, but the two state awards together stay at $10,000 a year.
- Pell Grants, for students with financial need.
- Private and community scholarships from foundations, employers, and local groups.
Want to compare full rides? Read our guides to full ride scholarships and merit scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the Donaghey Scholarship and the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship at the same time?
Yes. The two awards fully stack, so together they can pay all your college expenses, up to $140,000 over four years. You must qualify for and apply to each one separately.
What ACT score do you need for the Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship?
A 32 ACT composite or superscore, or a 1410 SAT, plus a 3.5 GPA. Your score must be earned by the end of February of your senior year.
How much is the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship?
Up to $10,000 a year for four years, or $40,000 total. It pays toward tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.
Do I have to live in Arkansas to be a Donaghey Scholar?
No. Students from any state, and international students, can apply once they're admitted to UA Little Rock. Only the Governor's award requires 12 months of Arkansas residency.
Can transfer students get both scholarships?
Transfer and current UA Little Rock students can apply to Donaghey if they have fewer than 36 hours of college credit. The Governor's Distinguished Scholarship is only for graduating high school seniors.
What GPA do I need to keep both scholarships?
A 3.25 cumulative GPA keeps both, since the state award asks for 3.25 and Donaghey asks for 3.0. The state award also requires 27 credit hours your first year and 30 each year after.
Apply to be a Donaghey Scholar
About 25 new scholars are selected each year. The final deadline for fall 2027 entry is February 15, 2027.