In the last decade, The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has helped fund more than half a million scholarships worth more than $965 million and they're ready to help fund more futures again this year.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is coming soon and if there’s ever been a year to apply, it's this one. They are on track to break records.
Over the last decade, these scholarships have helped thousands of students afford college and achieve their dreams. This story is especially true for Daveante Jones. He’s been an Associate Attorney on the employment team at Wright, Lindsay and Jennings in Little Rock for the last two years.
He’s fulfilling his dream every day he steps into his office. But, his dream of becoming a lawyer may not have been possible without receiving scholarships like the lottery's Arkansas Academic Challenge.
“Without scholarships it would have been very difficult for me to go to school and I would have had to pick up more jobs and more student loans,” he said. “Scholarships were my main priority coming out of high school.”
With the help of scholarships, he was able to invest more time in academics and less on financial worries. That investment is something Jones attributes to his ability to graduate Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
“It definitely made it way easier to get the opportunity to start my career and go as hard as I could without worrying about financial issues,” he said.
Even now, with less student loan debt on his shoulders, he's able focus on what matters most.
“I’m able to worry more about my job and things like buying a home instead of spending all my money on student loans,” said Jones.
Bishop Woosley, Director of the Arkansas Lottery, said the lottery hopes to make even more dreams come true this year as the scholarship program is on track to break records.
“We’re having the best year we’ve ever had so far,” said Woosley. “We’re going to end up as good as we've ever been and could break our previous record or at least match it.”
He said the number to beat is roughly $97.2 million dollars as thousands of students await the opportunity to receive financial assistance.
“I am always amazed at the gratitude of the families who get the scholarships,” he said “They always say how thankful they are for them.”
The deadline to apply has been extended to July 1st.
For more information on how to apply visit here.