UAFS promotes ‘Lion’s Share’ scholarship program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith wants to provide almost $3 million in scholarships through its “Lion’s Share” program, but prospective students must submit applications online by June 1. The university is also touting other tuition support programs.

According to UAFS, the unique Lion’s Share program is funded through donations to the UAFS Foundation. Those seeking scholarships can apply through this online portal. The applications are used to automatically connect a student or prospective student with scholarships for which they may be eligible.

About 1,950 UAFS students in the 2025 academic year receive financial support from the Lion’s Share program, according to the university.

University officials are also reminding students that scholarship support can be sought through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education’s Student Aid Management System, or SAMS. Also the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online and is often required for scholarship opportunity with some organizations and universities.

“Lion’s Share is an incredible opportunity for our students because one application can open the door to so many privately funded scholarships,” said Caleb Cash-Tobey, UAFS assistant director of scholarships. “We truly want every student to have access to a UAFS education, and that starts with completing their scholarship profile, filing the FAFSA, and submitting their SAMS applications as early as they can. Each step matters, and together they can make a real difference.”

University officials said the SAMS and FAFSA must be completed separately from Lions Share. A UAFS press release also referred to a study suggesting that college students don’t take advantage of up to $4.4 billion annually in Pell Grants because they didn’t complete a FAFSA by the deadline.

UAFS also provides help with tuition and mandatory fees for students who qualify for Pell Grants and the Arkansas Challenge program.

The university also is working to raise $85 million with its “Intrepid Ambition” campaign. The campaign is designed to reshape access to education, elevate academic excellence, and power economic development in the Fort Smith metro, according to UAFS. As of Dec. 17, the campaign amount was $77.384 million. The campaign is set to run through 2028.

What would become the UAFS was created in 1928 as an extension of the Fort Smith Public School system. The institution would go through many names and forms until becoming part of the University of Arkansas System in 2001. In the fall of 2025, the university had 5,504 students and 839 faculty and staff.