Southern Arkansas University is thrilled to announce the debut of The SAU Difference scholarship program, designed to provide financial support for eligible incoming freshmen from Arkansas.
As a last-dollar scholarship, this initiative aims to cover tuition and all fees* for Pell-eligible students who receive the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship, ensuring that every eligible student can pursue higher education without the burden of unmet financial needs.
With The SAU Difference, students will not only enjoy remarkable benefits but also realize significant savings on their education costs. SAU is committed to this beneficial, transparent last-dollar program. 
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Arkansas Resident and a U.S. citizen.
- Must be a first-time college student entering Fall 2025. 
- Must be Pell Grant eligible. 
- Must be a recipient of the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship. 
Funding Coverage
- The program will cover the gap between the total cost of tuition, all fees* and the sum of the Pell Grant, the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship, and other SAU awards.
Application Process
- Apply for Admission to SAU
- Students must complete the FAFSA by the established deadline.
- Students must apply for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship by the deadline.
- Students must complete a simple application form for The SAU Difference to confirm eligibility and assess unmet need. Â
Disbursement of Funds
- Funds will be disbursed directly to the institution after census date to cover tuition and fees* after other financial aid is applied. 
- Students will be notified of their eligibility and the amount covered by the program. 
Southern Arkansas University beginning freshmen that are enrolled full time student for fall 2025 that are residents of the state of Arkansas that qualify and receive a federal Pell grant and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship.
- Apply for Admission to SAU
- Complete the FAFSA for 2025-2026
- Apply for Arkansas Academic Challenge ScholarshipsÂ
SAU must be able to award the Pell Grant and Arkansas Academic Challenge based on eligibility, required documents, and official rosters from these federal and state related programs.
The scholarships cover tuition, mandatory fees, and course fees. The amount will vary depending upon how much in federal and state grants, as well as other SAU scholarships each student qualifies receives. SAU will cover the difference once those grants are applied.
The SAU Difference covers all mandatory fees associated with registration. This includes:
- Course fees
- Mandatory registration fees
However, the following fees are not covered:
- Parking fines
- Library fines
- Health services fees
- Bookstore charges
- Course withdrawal fees
- Housing charges
SAU will use the same retention as the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. You must be receiving the AACS and a Pell Grant to continue to receive the SAU Difference.Â
After the enrollment census date and after all other federal and state grants have been applied.Â
Currently, students from outside Arkansas are not eligible. However, students from bordering states can receive automatic in-state tuition if they live on campus.Â
Yes, the SAU Difference is exclusively available to incoming first-time freshman students.
Yes, as long as you are eligible and still a beginning freshman (did not attend another college in the fall).Â
Yes, as long as you don’t attend another college or university after graduating high school, you will still be classified as an incoming freshman for the next academic year.Â
SAU offers a range of scholarship opportunities for incoming students, including freshman academic scholarships and SAU Foundation scholarships. We also encourage all students to look into private and local scholarship programs.Â
