While families struggle with how to afford a college degree, colleges themselves puzzle over how to help high-achieving students and put their minds at ease when it comes to paying for higher education.

Hendrix College’s answer is simple. Meeting the full demonstrated financial need for every qualified student.

Announced today, the new Hendrix Advantage Plus program is a national expansion of the popular Hendrix Arkansas Advantage. The Arkansas Advantage, announced in 2014 for freshmen entering in fall 2015, benefited 160 students that fall (40 percent of the freshman class), with an average aid package of nearly $40,000 in grant aid alone, not including loans or work-study.

The expanded aid program extends the Advantage to any student with at least a 3.6 GPA and an ACT score of 26 or higher or an SAT score of 1230 or higher.

Hendrix Advantage Plus will meet students’ demonstrated financial need through all forms of financial assistance, including merit scholarships, need-based grants, federal and state grants, federal student loans and student employment.

“All their lives, top-performing students are told that colleges will reward them with scholarships,” said Hendrix President Bill Tsutsui. “Hendrix Advantage Plus makes that a reality. Now every student who meets these criteria can know their hard work will be recognized with merit scholarships and other aid all the way up to their full need.”

Every year, Hendrix earns top honors in national higher education rankings. U.S. News & World Report consistently cites Hendrix in several categories, such as “Most Innovative,” “Best Value Schools,” and its list of colleges most recommended by high school counselors.

This year, Hendrix was ranked 76th among the country’s top national liberal arts colleges – making Hendrix the highest ranked national liberal arts college not only in Arkansas but also in Texas and much of the south central United States – featured in the U.S. News rankings.

“This program is a direct response to what students, parents, and guidance counselors say they value most – strong merit scholarships that reward students for their achievements,” said Tsutsui. “With the Advantage Plus, we want to assure students who would really excel here that Hendrix is not out of reach. You can set your sights on one of the country’s leading liberal arts colleges, and we will help you afford it.”

To be considered for the Advantage Plus program, students must simply apply for admission to Hendrix and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Advantage Plus is available to freshmen enrolling in fall 2019.

For more information on Hendrix Advantage Plus, call the Hendrix Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 501-450-1362 or visit www.hendrix.edu/advantageplus.