Ensuring Equity in Access for All Students
No Matter Their Background

The ASMSA upwARd Promise is a new articulation of the school’s longstanding commitment to providing transformational experiences for students with economically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds from across Arkansas. It includes a five-point commitment that outlines ways the school creates opportunities to help elevate talented and motivated students to excellence.

An opportunity to prepare for and take the ACT during your application year at no cost.

Students with demonstrated financial need who complete the online application for admission by December 1 will receive a fee waiver for the February ACT. Because a competitive ACT or SAT score is required for admission to ASMSA, students will also receive access to prep tools to improve their understanding of the exam.

The chance to earn a minimum of 30 hours of college credit while finishing high school.

Recent graduates have averaged 50 hours—or three full semesters of college study—during their junior and senior years at ASMSA. These courses save families roughly $13,000 in tuition and fees. The $500 annual concurrent credit assessment is waived for students with financial need.

A residential experience alongside 230 talented and motivated peers with no additional cost for housing, meals, and textbooks.

Students with demonstrated need will receive a fee waiver for the $350 residential assessment and are assigned a laptop computer during their time at ASMSA. Students have access to computers and specialized technology throughout campus, including the highest per-student broadband allocation in the state.

The ability to explore the world and experience other cultures.

More than 350 ASMSA students have participated in study abroad, cultural exchanges, language immersion, and other global learning opportunities over the past five years. In addition to the $750 Global Learning Program grant available to all ASMSA juniors and seniors, students with financial need can apply for a fully-funded spring break or summer program abroad.

College planning and coaching that positions students to compete for admission to top universities and major scholarships.

ASMSA alumni have been offered more than $200 million in college scholarships. ASMSA’s counseling office assists all students with finding the school and opportunities that are the best fit for them. Students with need are positioned to compete for National Merit, QuestBridge Scholars, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Program, and other awards.

ASMSA aspires to lead the way by providing transformational opportunities for high-ability, low-income students.

One-in-three ASMSA students qualify for financial assistance--the highest among the school's fourteen peer institutes and double the national average of the nation's public residential STEM schools.

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