Testing & Financial Aid
Future-Focused Preparation
Essential Steps for your next chapter
Preparing for college can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to achieving the necessary scores and managing costs. Fort Smith Public Schools provides a range of resources to simplify this process. Explore our testing resources, discover scholarship opportunities, and understand your financial aid options to better plan for a successful future.
Get Ready to Apply for Scholarships & Financial Aid
3 Easy Steps!
1. Create Your FSA ID
This serves as your electronic signature to complete the FAFSA
2. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Required for federal, state, and most college aid
3. Apply for Arkansas State Aid
The Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) administers state scholarships and grant programs.
College Admissions Tests
ACT
Measures high school students' readiness for college.
- Fee Waiver: Available for juniors and seniors who qualify. Ask your counselor if financial assistance is needed.
- Free Test: Arkansas juniors take the ACT for free in the spring semester.
- Practice
SAT
Assesses college readiness and is used for admissions.
- Fee Waiver: Available for qualifying juniors and seniors. Consult your counselor for details.
- SAT Practice
Accuplacer
A placement test used to determine the appropriate level of college courses, with registration information available through each institution.
- Available at UAFS and Southside High School
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a practice test for the SAT that also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Eligibility: All 10th graders take the PSAT as a practice test. 11th graders must register in August to take it and compete for National Merit Scholarships.
Scholarships
Scholarships can help cover college costs without the need for repayment, easing your financial burden. There are many opportunities to fit your academic and personal achievements. Start early and explore the options below to find the best fit for you.
Arkansas State Scholarships ("Lottery" Scholarships)
Apply starting October 1 through the ADHE Scholarship Application Management System.
- Arkansas Academic Challenge: Requires a 19+ ACT score.
- Governor's Scholarship: Requires a 32+ ACT score.
Steps to Apply:
- Create an Account on the YOUniversal Portal.
- Complete the FAFSA (required for most scholarships).
- Submit the Scholarship Application on YOUniversal.
- Upload Required Documents (e.g., transcripts, proof of residency).
- Monitor Your Application for updates and next steps.
- Accept the Scholarship once approved and follow instructions for disbursement.
Institutional & Private Scholarships
Many universities and private organizations offer scholarships. Example: [University of Arkansas Fort Smith Scholarships].
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded based on academic performance.
- Competitive Scholarships: Requires meeting specific criteria and competing with other applicants.
- Foundation Scholarships: Funded by private donors; may require separate applications.
Scholarship Search Resources
- Naviance: Find local scholarships and more.
- Student Directions: Log in via Clever using your @fortsmithschools.org email > navigate to "Colleges," > "Scholarships and Money," > select "Scholarship List."
- Parent Directions: Contact Ms. Bannister at SHS Counseling for a Naviance login code > Go to Naviance > Search for your school > Select “I need to register" > Enter registration code provided the counselor's office > Set up the username and password > Login
- Search Engines:
- Scholly- A mobile app and web platform designed to match students with personalized scholarship opportunities based on their profile.
- Scholarships.com- A comprehensive scholarship search engine that helps students find and apply for scholarships.
- Studentscholarships.org- A free platform offering a wide range of scholarships for students in various fields.
- Encourageme.com- A scholarship search app requiring an ACT login to access opportunities tailored to your academic profile.
- BigFuture.com- An educational resource by College Board that offers college planning tools, including scholarship search and financial aid information.
Financial Aid
Financial aid helps bridge the gap between what you can afford and the cost of college. Understanding the application process and available options is key to securing the funding you need. Below is a guide to applying for financial aid and the types of assistance available.
Types of Financial Aid
Grants
Free money for education that doesn't need to be repaid, usually based on financial need.
- Federal Pell Grant: For low-income undergraduate students.
- FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant): For students with exceptional financial need.
- State Grants: Apply through the Arkansas YOUniversal portal for state-specific opportunities.
Loans
Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.
- Direct Subsidized Loans: For undergraduate students with financial need; interest is paid by the government while you're in school.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to all students; interest accrues while you're in school.
- PLUS Loans: Available to parents or graduate students to cover education costs not met by other aid.
Work-Study
A federal program allowing students to work part-time to earn money for education-related expenses.
- Indicate your interest on the FAFSA to apply.