Free Tuition + Housing at A-State — Promise Plus

Arkansas families with Adjusted Gross Income of $70,000 or less can attend Arkansas State University (Jonesboro) tuition-free. Promise Plus covers every dollar of tuition, mandatory fees, and—starting with 2025 graduates—the full cost of on-campus housing. Commuters receive a $1,500 Flex Plan for meals, bookstore, and campus vendors.

Visit Promise Plus Page See Eligibility

Who’s Eligible

  • 2025 Arkansas high-school graduate and U.S. citizen
  • Arkansas resident under ADHE policy 5.10
  • ACT superscore 19+ (or SAT 990–1010) and 3.0 high-school GPA
  • Household AGI ≤ $70,000 (verified via FAFSA)
  • Completed FAFSA and Arkansas Academic Challenge application
  • CSS Profile required only if FAFSA data are unavailable at the time of review
  • Admitted to A-State no later than 1 July 2025 (scholarship deadline)

What’s Covered

  • Remaining tuition and mandatory fees after Pell Grant + Challenge funds
  • Housing scholarship: $2,500 freshman year, $4,500 in later years — AND slated to rise to full housing cost for students entering fall 2025
  • Off-campus students instead receive a $1,500 Flex Plan each year

2025-26 Timeline

🗓 Aug 2024 – A-State admission application opens (rolling)

🗓 1 Dec 2024 – FAFSA for 2025-26 opens; file ASAP

🗓 1 Feb 2025 – Priority date to complete admission + FAFSA (+ CSS if needed)

🗓 1 July 2025 – FINAL deadline for Promise Plus and all institutional scholarships

🗓 1 June 2025 – Absolute last day to submit FAFSA/CSS and keep Promise Plus eligibility

How ConwayUP Helps

  • Automated reminders and checklists for every milestone above
  • $250 local-sponsor pledge once you finish all Promise Plus paperwork

Express Your Interest

Let us know which Arkansas scholarship program you're interested in, and we'll help guide you through the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Promise Plus actually work?

Pell Grant, Academic Challenge, and any other need-based aid pay first; Promise Plus then fills the tuition + fee gap and adds the housing award (or $1,500 Flex Plan for commuters).

What must I do to keep the scholarship?

Complete 30 A-State credit hours each academic year (minimum 15 per term), maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA, file FAFSA and Academic Challenge each year by 1 June, and remain below the $70,000 AGI cap.

Can I stack Promise Plus with other A-State awards?

No—Promise Plus replaces other institutional scholarships, but you may bring in outside/private awards.

What if I live off campus?

You’ll receive the $1,500 Flex Plan instead of the housing scholarship.

Who do I contact at A-State?

Scholarships Office — [email protected] • 870-972-2310 • PO Box 1620, State University, AR 72467