Beyond Boundaries Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Arkansas State University
Description The Beyond Boundaries Scholarship is an institutional award administered by the Arkansas State University Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for incoming freshmen. It is awarded during a student’s high school senior year and is intended for U.S. citizens who do not qualify for scholarships that require both Arkansas residency and graduation from an Arkansas high school. A limited number of awards are offered and selections depend on available funding. Recipients must meet all eligibility and ongoing requirements to keep the award.
- Administered by Arkansas State University Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Awarded only during high school senior year
- Targeted to U.S. citizens not eligible for Arkansas-residency scholarships
- Limited number of awards; funding-dependent
Eligibility Applicants must be U.S. citizens and graduating high school seniors who meet specific academic and admissions requirements. Candidates must submit an admissions application (with fee), provide official ACT or SAT scores, and supply an official six- or seven-semester high school transcript. Minimum academic thresholds are an ACT composite of 24 or New SAT total of 1180, and a high school GPA of at least 3.250 on a six- or seven-semester transcript. Award offers are limited and contingent on meeting admission documentation and selection criteria.
- U.S. citizen and high school senior required
- Admissions application, official test scores, and official 6- or 7-semester transcript required
- Minimum ACT 24 or New SAT 1180; minimum high school GPA 3.250
- Awards limited and contingent on documentation and selection
Award Value and Coverage The scholarship provides $2,500 per academic year, disbursed across the Fall and Spring semesters. Funds cover courses taken on the Arkansas State University–Jonesboro campus only and exclude correspondence courses. Institutional scholarships do not apply to fully online degree programs. The award may continue for up to eight consecutive semesters or until the undergraduate degree is completed, whichever comes first, provided all renewal criteria are met.
- $2,500 per year, split between Fall and Spring
- Pays for on-campus Jonesboro courses only (correspondence excluded)
- Not applicable to online degree programs for institutional scholarships
- Maximum duration: eight consecutive semesters or until degree completion
Application Timeline and Deadlines Prospective recipients must complete the scholarship process during their senior year of high school. The scholarship application deadline is June 1 of the senior year. Award letters are mailed beginning the third week of December, and selected students must accept the scholarship by July 1 (acceptance is recommended within 30 days); offers expire after July 1. All awards are dependent on available funding and successful completion of admissions steps.
- Application deadline: June 1 (senior year)
- Award letters mailed beginning the third week of December
- Acceptance deadline: July 1 (recommended within 30 days)
- Awards subject to availability of funding
Student Responsibilities and Enrollment Requirements Recipients must enroll full-time at Arkansas State University–Jonesboro and comply with campus enrollment rules each Fall and Spring. Full-time status requires 15 college-level credit hours (correspondence excluded) on the A-State campus; concurrent enrollment at other institutions does not satisfy this requirement. Enrollment is locked as of the 11th class day, and matriculation must occur in the Fall immediately following high school graduation. Students must be seeking a bachelor’s degree and must notify the Scholarships Office of grade changes or if they decide to attend a different university.
- Required: 15 A-State college-level credit hours each Fall and Spring (on-campus)
- Concurrent enrollment elsewhere does not count; enrollment locked on 11th class day
- Must matriculate at A-State in the Fall after high school graduation and pursue a bachelor’s degree
- Notify Scholarships Office of grade changes or if declining the scholarship
Renewal Criteria To renew the Beyond Boundaries Scholarship, students must maintain an overall 3.250 GPA and successfully complete 30 A-State credit hours each academic year (Fall and Spring combined). Incomplete grades may jeopardize renewal, and accepted transfer credits are included in the overall GPA calculation. A student who receives all W’s, F’s, WN’s, I’s and/or FN’s at the end of any Fall term will forfeit the scholarship for subsequent semesters. Freshmen who do not meet the annual standard are granted a single probation period through the end of Summer II to reach a 3.250 GPA and 30 A-State hours (Fall, Spring, Summer I, and Summer II combined); probation courses must be A-State hours and probation is not available in later years.
- Renewal requirements: overall 3.250 GPA and 30 A-State hours per academic year
- Incomplete grades and transfer credits affect renewal status
- All W/F-type or I grades at end of Fall term → forfeiture
- Freshman probation allowed until end of Summer II (single-use; A-State hours only)
Administration and Contact Information The A-State Financial Aid & Scholarships Office administers the Beyond Boundaries Scholarship and handles questions, notifications, and special requests. For general inquiries or military exception requests, contact the office by phone or email. If an accepted recipient decides to attend another university, they must notify the Scholarships Office in writing or via email.
- Administrator: A-State Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Phone: (870) 972-2310
- Email: [email protected]
- Notify the office in writing/email if you decline the scholarship or enroll elsewhere