Chancellor Todd Shields announced the A-State Promise Plus scholarship at a meeting Sept. 27 in Centennial Hall. 

The A-State Promise Plus scholarship is designed to help incoming first-year students by covering the leftover tuition cost after all other scholarships have been applied. 

“Arkansas State University is committed to easing the financial burden for hard-working families as they seek to send their kids to college, or seek to attend college themselves,” Shields said. 

The scholarship will benefit students in households with a median income of $70,000 or less, provided they meet the other requirements.

According to the A-State website, students must, “Complete 30 hours of coursework at Arkansas State University and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA as well as annually completing the FAFSA and any Arkansas Challenge or Lottery Scholarship requirements.” 

Recipients must be a 2024 high school graduate, be an Arkansas resident and U.S. citizen, have a 19 or above on the ACT or a 990-1010 SAT score and have a 3.0 high school GPA. 

A-State Promise Plus also includes a $2,500 housing scholarship for first-year students living on campus. This amount increases to $4,500 for students in their sophomore through senior years.

Mayor Harold Copenhower, an A-State alumnus, spoke about the new scholarship.

“Projects like Arkansas Promise Plus not only open doors for families, but it encourages residents from all over Arkansas to come right here to Jonesboro. When A-State grows, Jonesboro grows. And when Jonesboro succeeds, we all win.”

In addition to the introduction of the scholarship, the meeting provided updates on other campus projects. 

Provost Calvin White said the upcoming College of Veterinary Medicine is still on target, thanks to founding Dean Glen Hoffsis. The construction of the Windgate Hall of Art and Innovation is also on target.

“We are committed to taking the next steps in the evolution of Arkansas State University as a research institution that conducts research that has the potential to better the lives of all of Arkansas,” White said.

Shields thanked head enrollment management consultant Joel Wincowski for his reorganization and widespread outreach initiatives in student recruitment.

“Compared to last year, we are above 200 traditional first year students. Up more than sixty first time international students. And we have almost 3000 students that are living on campus.” Shields said.

Shields added that A-State is one of top performing colleges in Arkansas, with unmatched opportunity compared to other colleges in the state.

“We will soon have a veterinary school, the state’s largest graduate program, a biological science and research institute and an international campus.”

Shields said A-State’s goal is to keep college affordable for Arkansas residents.

“Our goal with the A-State Promise Plus scholarship is to reopen doors to college that have been locked for too many Arkansas families for too long.”

Shields concluded the meeting by thanking the employees of A-State for ensuring the success of the students. 

“A-State is here to support your dreams and we are inviting everyone to come and find your place in the Pack.”

Categories: News