Through a grant from the Windgate Foundation, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has received a scholarship aimed at recruiting highly qualified students of color who have chosen to teach. The scholarship has been named, The Windgate Educator Preparation Program Academic Scholarship (WEPPAS). This scholarship is housed within the School of Education and will be awarded to students who have excelled academically and expressed a strong interest in becoming a licensed classroom teacher in Arkansas public schools. The scholarship aims to recruit a pool of eight undergraduate and five graduate students of color who will enter the EPP and will become highly capable of preparing the next generation of learners. The scholarship awards range up to $5000 per academic year for undergraduates- $2500 each academic semester for two years and $2000 for graduates - $1000 each semester for one academic year. The scholarship can be applied to tuition, fees, and books.
The Arkansas Geographical Critical Needs Minority Teacher Scholarship Program is designed to provide scholarships to Black-American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and Native American students who will be attending public or private institutions of higher education in the state of Arkansas with approved teacher education programs or at an accredited state supported community college. Recipients who maintain eligibility may receive scholarships for a maximum of four (4) academic years or until such time as they have completed certification requirements. Participating scholars may receive up to 1,500.000 per academic year for a full-time attendance; up to 750.00 for a part time attendance; however, the scholarship, when totaled with other sources of Title IV student financial aid, may not exceed the total cost of attendance at the institution to be attended. Also, scholars must agree to teach in the delta or in a geographical area of the state in which there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Arkansas.