Southern Arkansas offers two main types of scholarships for international students:
- Initial scholarships for first-time freshmen coming to SAU.
- The Retention Scholarship for current SAU international undergraduate students.
Initial scholarships are award only for Fall semesters.
- April 15 is the Deadline for submitting an Initial Scholarship Application.
Initial Scholarships
Recipients will be chosen by the International Office based only upon their SAT or ACT scores. Initial scholarships are limited and awarded to the students with the highest scores. These scholarships are renewable if the student maintains a good academic record as listed in the criteria below.
To apply, follow the “Apply Now” button at the top of the page and submit the International Scholarship Application. You will need your SAT or ACT information when you apply.
There are three types of initial scholarships:
Blue and Gold Excellence Scholarship
- An award equivalent to $3,500 per semester ($7,000 for the academic year).
- Requirements:
- SAT score of at least 1260
- ACT composite of least 27.
SAU Success Scholarship
- An award equivalent to $2,000 per semester ($4,000 per academic year).
- Requirements:
- SAT score of at least 1160
- ACT composite of at least 24.
Scholastic Merit Scholarship
- An award equivalent to $1,500 per semester ($3,000 per academic year).
- Requirements:
- SAT score of 1060
- ACT composite of at least 21.
Achievement Award Scholarship
- An award equivalent to $1,000 per semester ($2,000 per academic year).
- Requirements:
- SAT score of 960
- ACT composite of at least 18.
Criteria for Initial Scholarships
- Must be applying for F-1 visa student status.
- Must be an incoming freshman student who has successfully completed secondary school and has not attended a post-secondary school.
- Must meet required SAT or ACT scores.
For Automatic Renewal of the Scholarships
- Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Must maintain at least 15 credit hours each semester.
- Must live on campus.
Retention Scholarship
The Retention Scholarship is award after students complete 15 credit hours (usually finished after the first semester).
The award is equivalent to approximately $2865 per semester ($5730 for the academic year) which is the difference between resident and non-resident tuition cost.
To apply, follow the “Apply Now” button at the top of the page and submit the International Scholarship Application. You will need a copy of your unofficial transcript when you apply.
- January 6th is the Deadline for submitting a Retention Scholarship Application for the Spring semester.
Criteria for Retention Scholarship
- Only for students without other initial international scholarships.
- Must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and have completed at least 15 hours at SAU.
- Must live on campus
For Automatic Renewal of the Scholarships
- Must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and maintain at least 15 hours each semester to renew the scholarship.
- Must continue to live on campus.
- Only awarded for up to 7 semesters.