Money for your education is out there, but it will take effort on your part to locate it. Numerous opportunities exist for people who take the time to search. Check with employers, retailers, churches, and other civic and business organizations to see if they offer assistance to students. Below are a few of the organizations in the Fort Smith area that offer help.

• Arkansas Rehabilitation Service
  

Assists people with mental or physical disabilities in their goal of entering into, or returning to, the workforce.

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
1115 South Waldron, Suite 207
Fort Smith, AR 72903-2588
479-452-7131 FAX 479-452-7108

• Bureau of Indian Affairs
  American Indian Center of Arkansas
  or Trail of Tears Association
  1100 N. University, Suite 143
  Little Rock, AR 72207-6344
  800-441-4513
  
  
• Cherokee Nation
  P.O. Box 948
  Tahlequah, OK 74465
  918-456-0671 Ext. 2465
  800-256-0671
  
  
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
  Department of Higher Education
  Drawer 1210
  Durant, OK 74702-1210
  800-522-6170 or 580-924-8280
  
  
• Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
  

An IDA is a special savings account for people with low incomes. If you save in an IDA, your money will be matched with donations and be available to help pay for tuition and books here at UA Fort Smith.

Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center
4831 Armour St.
Fort Smith, AR 72914
479-784-9298

• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
  

A program that helps trade-affected workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts of production out of the United States. You can contact your local Employment Security Division for additional information.

Employment Security Division
616 Garrison Avenue
P.O. Box 1987
Fort Smith, AR 72902
479-783-0231 FAX 479-783-2132

• Western Arkansas Employment Development Agency (WAEDA)
  

WAEDA is an organization that offers training opportunities. If you are unable to find suitable employment, you may qualify for training services. If you are eligible, they may pay for some of the expenses of earning a degree or certificate in an approved field.

WAEDA
1500 East Main
PO Box 1266
Van Buren, AR 72956
479-474-7061 FAX 479-474-4321

Back to Financial Aid Main page