Current
Frequently Asked Questions

If your question does not appear in this list, please e-mail us at honors@uark.edu.


Will I have the opportunity to live in Honors housing?

Yes! Most first year Honors students and many returning Honors students live in Pomfret Honors Quarters. Learning communities abound across campus. Early application will insure chances of getting into the living community of your choice.

Will I need more hours to graduate with honors?

No, your honors program is designed to fit into the course of study required for your major. However, many honors students do use their AP, IB, or transfer credit to gain advanced standing so that they can get an additional major or multiple minors.

Do honors classes cost more?

No. Students pay the tuition and college fees charged by the academic college in which they are enrolling but there is no additional charge for the honors designation.

Does the Honors College support study abroad (academically and financially)?

Yes, honors students may apply for financial assistance from the Honors College, either for a short term study abroad program or to matriculate in a foreign university for a semester or even a year. Honors advisors and members of the Honors College staff will assist you in planning for an international experience, along with the staff of the Study Abroad Office.

Who is eligible to join the Honors College?

Students with an ACT composite score of 28 and above, or an SAT V+M combined score of 1240, and high school GPA of 3.5 (3.75 for Walton College of Business majors) will be invited to join the first year.

What are the benefits? Will being in the Honors College help me with graduate school or job applications?

The variety of experiences you will have as an honors student and the contacts you will make will be extremely helpful in preparing you for the next step. Challenging courses, Undergraduate research and the honors thesis, study abroad, and other honors experiences can give you an edge in applying for graduate and professional schools or in getting a job right out of college if that is where your career path leads you. Honors administrators and faculty provide expert guidance through the Office of Post Graduate Fellowships to prepare you for applications and interviews and for securing personal letters of recommendation that will set you apart from the crowd. Here are a few measures of success: Recent Honors College graduates had a perfect 100% entrance rate to medical schools. In recent years honors graduates have won Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, xxx, and yyy scholarship. Our graduates are enrolled at Harvard, Yale Law, Cornell, Columbia, Washington University, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and many notable public research universities.

Are there scholarships for continuing students?

Yes. Scholarships ranging from $300 to $5,000 are offered to continuing students through the Office of Academic Scholarships. However, funds are limited, and the competition is keen. The deadline for consideration is March 1. Students should also consult with their academic departments and college Dean’s office to apply for scholarships that are specific to their major.

When do I sign up for Honors?

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to join an honors program in their academic unit during the Orientation Program early in the summer.

Can I join after the freshman year?

Yes, a good many students do just that. Students who do not meet the criteria when they enter the University of Arkansas may join after as little as one semester by earning a 3.5 UA grade point average. ACT and SAT scores are not considered once students perform well on UA coursework.

What makes an honors class different from a regular class?

Honors classes are often interdisciplinary in nature and are intended to be intellectually challenging. Since most and sometimes all the students in these classes are honors students the level of discussion and the effort put forth is quite high. However, most of our students would say that honors classes are not necessarily “harder” than other classes.

Can scholarships be combined?

Yes, but state and federal guidelines for combining scholarships and other financial aid require that the total not exceed an amount defined as “cost of attendance.” The cost of attendance includes not only tuition, fees, room and board, but may also cover other educational expenses such as books, travel, personal expenses, study abroad costs, and a computer allowance. The exact amount varies on an individual basis.

Will my scholarships pay for my books?

Students with combined scholarships and financial aid in excess of direct costs, as well as students awarded the Honors College, Bodenhamer, Boyer, or Sturgis Fellowships, will have funding beyond tuition, fees, room and board that can cover books. Staff members from the Office of Academic Scholarships will be available during the Orientation program to explain how the scholarships are disbursed.

How can I learn more about the Honors College?

The website links will provide you with additional information but we would love to talk with you personally. Call us at ( 479) 575 7678 or toll free at 1-866-594 4672 to arrange a campus visit at which time you will talk with Honors College staff, faculty, and students.

When and where do I start planning for a study abroad experience?

Begin immediately by taking foreign language classes in the target country. Honors students study abroad as early as the summer after the freshman year. Meet with an advisor in the Study Abroad Office (575-2006) to explore the possibilities and to plan a study abroad budget, and be sure to apply for an Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship. Deadlines are October 1 and February 1. Applications are available on the Honors College web page.

How often can I study abroad?

Many students study abroad more than once. One student from the Walton College of Business studied abroad six times, receiving funding nationally as well as from the campus. Repeated study abroad experiences can delay graduation, so do plan carefully with the help of an academic advisor.

What research opportunities are available?

The University of Arkansas offers a nearly limitless number of research options. Students in and outside the Honors College have the opportunity to work individually with faculty on research projects. To find a research mentor, speak with an academic advisor, an honors advisor in the college of major, or an advisor in the Honors College. Speaking to a faculty member after class is also another good way to begin.

How can the Honors College help me fund research?

Honors College Undergraduate Research Grants are available. Approximately, 160 students receive funding (up to $2900) each year. To be competitive, applicants need six hours of honors credit at the time of application and a 3.5 college GPA. Applications are available on the Honors College web page. Deadlines are October 15, February 15, and June 15.

What is the Four-Year Scholars Program?

Fulbright College and the Walton College of Business offer Four-Year Scholars Programs. These programs involve specific requirements in the core as well as specific requirement in the field of study including a senior honors research or capstone project.

What is the Departmental Honors Program?

Every major in every college offers a departmental honors option. This program requires a minimum of 12 hours and includes a senior research or capstone project. Specific majors may have additional requirements. See the catalog for details.

If I am in an honors program on campus am I also in the Honors College?

Yes. A student becomes an official member of the Honors College by joining an honors program in the college of major. Withdrawing from an honors program will automatically remove a student from the Honors College.

What happens if I change majors?

Honors programs are available in all majors on the campus, and you can transfer from one program to another. But be sure to compare course requirements, because they do vary somewhat from program to program.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship?

On the University of Arkansas campus, fellowships require both a paper application an interview. Scholarships require the paper application but not the interview.

What is the benefit of applying by the early deadline?

Students who apply by the November 15th deadline are considered for scholarships prior to being reviewed for the Fellowship competition.

Can you help me with my resume?

Absolutely. We provide tips online, but we are also happy to review resumes and personal statements. Contact the Office of Post-Graduate Fellowships (575-4883) to set up an appointment or to ask a question.

How do I renew my scholarship?

Some scholarships are only for one year. These are not renewable, so you should plan ahead, applying for other awards for current students. Contact the Academic Scholarship Office (575-4464) for more information. The majority of UA scholarships and fellowships require completion of 27 hours in the freshman year and 30 hours thereafter. Scholarship recipients must have a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of each academic year (this can include summer school). Students who go on academic probation at semester will lose their award immediately; otherwise, the review takes place at the end of the academic year.