The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) is proud to announce the launch of the Iron Horse Advantage, a new last-dollar scholarship program designed to make college more affordable for Arkansas students. The program begins with students graduating from high school in Spring 2026.

The Iron Horse Advantage will cover tuition, mandatory academic fees, and textbook rental costs for eligible students for their first year after state and federal financial aid has been applied. The program reinforces UAHT’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and reducing financial barriers for families across its service area.

“The Iron Horse Advantage reflects our commitment to removing financial barriers for Arkansas families,” said Dr. Ricky Tompkins, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. “We want our students to focus on learning, graduating, and building their future, not worrying about how to pay for tuition and textbooks.”

To qualify, students must graduate from high school or earn a GED in Spring 2026 and apply to UAHT as a first-time entering undergraduate. Eligible students must be Arkansas residents and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list UAHT (school code 005732), submit proof of a completed Arkansas Academic Challenge application, and meet income requirements.

Students must be Pell eligible or have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) of $70,000 or less. In addition, participants must enroll in at least 12 credit hours each semester.

All eligibility steps must be completed by May 1, 2026, for Fall 2026 consideration. This includes:

• Applying for admission to UAHT as a first-time freshman and submitting all required documents and test scores

• Completing the FAFSA and adding UAHT (005732)

• Submitting proof of the Arkansas Academic Challenge application

• Meeting income eligibility guidelines

• Completing the UAHT Iron Horse Advantage application

Students do not have to receive FAFSA or Arkansas Academic Challenge funding to participate. However, completing these steps is required for eligibility.

As a last-dollar scholarship, the Iron Horse Advantage works by first applying eligible federal, state, and institutional aid to a student’s account. This includes programs such as the Pell Grant, Arkansas Academic Challenge, Arkansas Challenge Plus (if eligible), the Governor’s Scholarship, and institutional academic scholarships. After those funds are applied, UAHT will cover any remaining balance for up to 15 credit hours of tuition, mandatory fees, and textbook rental.

Private scholarships, including those from the UAHT Foundation, hometown awards, or other private organizations, are not included in the last-dollar calculation.

Students who enroll in more than 15 credit hours or in courses with additional fees will be responsible for those extra charges. A full list of tuition and additional fees is available at www.uaht.edu/about/tuition.php.

The Iron Horse Advantage reflects UAHT’s continued focus on affordability, opportunity, and student success. By covering the remaining cost of tuition, fees, and textbooks, the program allows students to focus on their education without the burden of unexpected expenses.

For more information about the Iron Horse Advantage or to apply for admission, visit https://www.uaht.edu/iron-horse-advantage.php or contact the UAHT Office of Admissions at 870-722-8524.