Department of Higher Ed releases universal application process
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education and Information Systems of Arkansas recently launched an online Universal Scholarship Application, making it easier for students applying for financial aid.
Several months went into the development of the program launched Jan. 1, which will help Arkansas citizens seeking financial aid be matched to potential scholarships meeting their individual criteria.
Arkansas students can log onto www.adhe.edu and answer questions about age, grade-point average, ACT or SAT scores and income level to find scholarship programs they qualify for and estimated amounts of financial aid available on an individual basis. Gov. Mike Beebe directed ADHE to implement a simple system for financial aid applicants that would void the complex paperwork and calculation systems students are subject to.
Dale Ellis, coordinator of academic programs for the ADHE, said since the Web site was launched, 6,946 applications have been submitted with 88,868 page views.
Counselors at Arkansas high schools such as Conway High School-West plan on using the Universal Scholarship Applications with students attempting to go to college. Kathie Houston, counselor at CHS, walked through the application process with seniors.
“It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. It’s real simple and user friendly,” she said. “It determines which scholarships apply to you and once the survey is completed, it tells you what to do next.”
Ashleigh Malik, a senior at Conway High, said the process was a relief compared to the traditional application process.
“It tells me what I need to do and it helps not to have to remember everything,” Malik said.
Houston was also impressed with the profile options which allow students to check the status of their applications and the Web site’s detailed instructions on follow-up.
(Staff writer Courtney Spradlin can be reached by e-mail at courtney.spradlin@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)
