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Updated: June 29, 2025 @ 5:05 am
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) is helping students fast-track into high-demand, high-wage careers thanks to the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and the Arkansas Office of Skills Development.
These scholarships and grants make two of the college’s most job-ready training programs even more affordable and possibly free: Commercial Truck Driving and Fiber Optic Technician.
UAHT’s CDL program, offered through the Arkansas Trucking Academy, prepares students for a professional driving career in as little as four weeks. Training includes classroom instruction, driving simulation, and hands-on, over-the-road experience. Tuition for the program is just $3,000, with books included.
Graduates earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and can step directly into jobs that pay an average of $50,000 to $70,000 annually, with opportunities for even more with experience or specialized routes. The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship pays up to $800 for the truck driver training program.
The Fiber Optic Technician program, delivered in partnership with the Arkansas Fiber Academy, gives students the technical and hands-on skills needed to install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber broadband networks. The nine-week evening course ends with eligibility for the Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path 3-year certification.
Technicians entering the field can expect to earn $45,000 to $65,000 a year, with strong demand nationwide as broadband infrastructure continues to expand. The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship pays up to $800 for the Fiber Optic Technician program. The program could also be free to eligible students through a grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development.
Both programs are short-term, hands-on, and designed to lead straight to employment in growing industries. And with these grants and scholarships helping cover the cost, students can get started with little to no out-of-pocket expense.
CLICK HERE for more information and eligibility requirements for the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship.
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