FORT SMITH, Ark. — The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith has announced a new tuition waiver program aimed at supporting transfer students. The “Smart Choice Tuition Waiver” will provide eligible transfer students with up to $9,000 in tuition discounts starting in fall 2025, making UAFS an increasingly accessible option for students completing their bachelor’s degrees.
 
Dr. Terisa Riley, UAFS chancellor, introduced the program at the December Board of Visitors meeting, emphasizing its goal of increasing transfer enrollment while reducing financial barriers. The waiver, valued at $100 per credit hour, will apply to up to 90 institutional credit hours or until degree completion, whichever occurs first.

Importantly, Riley noted that the 90 hours are not on a set attainment schedule, meaning students who choose to enroll part-time will still receive the waiver for the duration of their degree pathway. 
“Our community college students have already made a smart choice in choosing to attend college, to begin with, and now they’re making another smart choice by continuing to invest in themselves and get their bachelor’s degree at UAFS,” Riley said. “We need to show these students that we’re willing to invest in them too – and that’s what we’re doing with the SmartChoice initiative.” 
 
To qualify, a transfer student must have a minimum of 30 earned credit hours and have at least a 2.0 GPA. They must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible. While the waiver cannot be combined with other institutionally-funded scholarships, it offers significant savings for those transitioning to UAFS and can be paired with other types of aid, including grants, private scholarships, and third-party aid.
 
This initiative is part of the university’s broader effort to establish itself as a premier transfer destination. In addition to the waiver, UAFS plans to expand resources tailored to transfer students, including hiring a dedicated transfer recruiter, Ryan Watson, and implementing dedicated transfer advising. This fall, Riley noted, the university also launched a series of Transfer with Pride road shows at which academic leaders, admissions advisors, and financial aid representatives visited area community colleges to provide resources directly to transfer students. 
 
“These visits have given us the chance to sit across the table from the leaders at these community colleges and ask, ‘Where are the barriers? What can we do better or differently?’” said Riley, who explained that this initiative was built through these conversations and is directly aligned with the needs of our regional community college students. 

Eligibility and Requirements
 
To participate in the Smart Choice Tuition Waiver program, students must:
• Have earned at least 30 credit hours upon admission.
• Be considered a Transfer Student (earned at least 13 credit hours attending college after high school.)
• Meet UAFS transfer admissions standard of a 2.0 GPA.
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each spring term.
 
Students who lose eligibility will not be able to reapply but may appeal under certain circumstances.
 
With this initiative, UAFS hopes to attract more transfer students from the region by offering them financial support and a strong academic foundation for success.