Important Updates for High School Recruits to A-State
A-State Welcome Center
JONESBORO – Heading into the holiday season and the end of the fall 2020 semester, Arkansas State University wants to remind prospective students of some important deadlines and opportunities.
To accommodate first-time students who may have difficulty in submitting forms or test scores by Dec. 1, A-State has revised its deadline for applications for institutional or competitive aid to Feb. 1. This aligns with the university’s deadline for applying for privately funded scholarships also.
At the same time, a reminder to incoming students that Arkansas State is awarding scholarships upon admission for many of its institutional awards.
“The number of students that have applied this year is about the same as last year, but just like our incoming Class of 2024, we know the Class of 2025 is facing challenges not seen in a century with the coronavirus pandemic,” Dr. Bryan Terry, vice chancellor for enrollment management said. “Our Office of Admissions has listened to the feedback we’ve been getting, and we want to get the word out that we’re ready to help families with these hurdles. Giving everyone a little more time to finish the process is the first step.”
Understanding this year maybe be difficult for students submitting standardized test scores, A-State will not reject any application from incoming students this academic year that do not have an ACT or SAT score in hand. With the recent cancellation of the December national testing date by ACT at some locations due to COVID-19 concerns, waiving the requirement for ACT for fall 2021 admission at A-State becomes more important to future Red Wolves students.
In addition, A-State is also waiving the usual application fee until Dec. 15. Students that complete their applications and have all high school transcripts turned in by Dec. 15 will receive an admissions answer before Christmas.
“We’re sympathetic to the fact this fall has been like no other with ACT testing dates disrupted, some seniors having to go virtual, some others switching back to in person,” Terry said. “We want to remove as many barriers as possible. Our staff is ready to answer questions, and to get students and their families rapid decisions on admission and scholarships.”
The starting point for many financial opportunities is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid known as FAFSA. There is still time for university-bound students to file their FAFSA, which qualifies students for a wide range of institutional, state and federal aid packages.
“FAFSA can be a difficult form, but it is so very important for families to complete,” Terry said. “There are literally thousands of dollars of aid left unclaimed each year because FAFSA forms were not finished.”
One source of university scholarships not included in FAFSA are privately funded scholarships at A-State. The link to the form is located at AState.edu/Scholarships/Private.
“Arkansas State has hundreds of individual scholarships that are provided by our friends and alumni for the benefit of a wide range of needs, and the best way to access them is to fill out the private scholarship form,” Terry said. “Many families do their FAFSA or institutional scholarship forms and overlook the private form. There may be a scholarship established for graduates from your hometown, or for students headed into particular majors.”
Students who may have sat out this fall due to concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic are also encouraged to revive their applications and admission status, both for spring 2021 or fall 2021 admission to A-State.
Arkansas State brought back its Winter Session this year, which is not only an opportunity for currently enrolled students to pick up a class but also a way for students not enrolled to get a head start on spring 2021. To see the full list of Winter Session classes and for more information, go to AState.edu/WinterSession.
If you have questions about admission or scholarships, click here to send them to the Enrollment Management office at A-State.
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