Southern Arkansas University
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.
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.
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 SAU Difference covers all mandatory fees associated with registration. This includes:
However, the following fees are not covered:
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.
After the enrollment census date and after all other federal and state grants have been applied.
Currently, students from outside Arkansas are not eligible. However, students from bordering states can receive automatic in-state tuition if they live on campus.
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).
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.
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.
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