On Aug. 17, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) held a check presentation to celebrate its $114.3 million scholarship fund transfer to the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE). It marks the second-largest scholarship fund transfer since the lottery’s founding in 2009.

“This check represents a student who can say, ‘I am able to take this leap because I have the assistance of a scholarship,’” ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong said. “Ultimately, it represents a stronger workforce, stronger communities and a stronger Arkansas.”

Scholarship recipients from 13 higher education institutions joined Strong as she gave her remarks, representing various communities, fields of study and aspirations.

“We are so proud to be a small part of your journey,” Strong said, addressing the students. “We don’t know exactly where your education will take you, but we do know that the careers you build, the families you support, the businesses you create and the communities you strengthen will help shape the future of Arkansas.”

Strong was also joined by State of Arkansas Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Jim Hudson; Commissioner Dr. Ken Warden, ADHE; Assistant Director of Operations and Communications, Alisha Lewis, ADHE; Assistant Director of Finance Nicholas Fuller, ADHE; and several ASL division directors.

Commissioner Warden shared remarks, emphasizing how lottery-funded scholarships bring students closer to achieving their goals.

“Every student deserves a path that fits their goals and talents, and lottery-funded scholarships help removefinancial barriers to ensure that journey is a reality,” Warden said.

The event concluded as the dignitaries and scholarship recipients posed for a photo with the $114.3 million check.

To learn more about lottery-funded scholarships, visit MyArkansasLottery.com.

About the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) creates winning people, winning futures, and winning moments. Since 2009, the ASL has sold over $8.6 billion and returned more than $1.6 billion for scholarships to benefit Arkansas students. More than 873,000 college scholarships distributed by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education have been awarded to Arkansans. As of July 31, 2026, the lottery has awarded more than $5.9 billion in prizes to players, more than $489 million in retailer commissions, and provided more than $461 million in state and federal tax revenue.

Follow the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Visit MyArkansasLottery.com for more information on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – and to join The Club for free. To get help with problem gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Representatives from the Arkansas Division for Higher Education (ADHE), Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) pose with the $114.3 million check. (L-R: Assistant Director of Finance Nicholas Fuller, ADHE; Executive Director Sharon Strong, ASL; Commissioner Dr. Ken Warden, ADHE; Assistant Director of Operations and Communications Alisha Lewis, ADHE; and State of Arkansas Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Secretary Jim Hudson, DFA.)

ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong, alongside scholarship recipients and representatives from ADHE and DFA, presents a $114.3 million check for in-state scholarships. (L-R: Assistant Director of Finance Nicholas Fuller, ADHE; Executive Director Sharon Strong, ASL; Commissioner Dr. Ken Warden, ADHE; State of Arkansas Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Secretary Jim Hudson, DFA; and Assistant Director of Operations and Communications Alisha Lewis, ADHE.)

ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong addresses the crowd alongside scholarship recipients and representatives from ADHE, ASL and DFA. (L-R: Assistant Director of Operations and Communications Alisha Lewis, ADHE; Assistant Director of Finance Nicholas Fuller, ADHE; State of Arkansas Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Secretary Jim Hudson, DFA; Commissioner Dr. Ken Warden, ADHE; and Executive Director Sharon Strong, ASL.)

Scholarship recipients and ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong pose with the “This Is Winning!” sign in front of the ASL Claim Center.