The Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship, administered by Hot Springs Area Community Foundation, is available each spring for residents of Garland County pursuing higher education. The application is available Jan. 2 to Feb. 20, 2026.

NOTE: The Eligibility Quiz is not required for the Oaklawn Scholarship, thus, if used the Oaklawn Scholarship will not be listed among your list of scholarships you have qualified to apply for.  Disregard the Eligibility Quiz!

To apply, click the “Create an Account” button above. After logging in, click the blue “Apply” button to begin the Oaklawn Scholarship application.  

When you apply, you’ll provide information about your financial need, educational history and community/extracurricular involvement. You’ll be asked to upload: 

• Educational Objective/Personal Essay stating your educational plans and goals.  Include any challenging circumstances or obstacles you have experienced and how you overcame or are overcoming those challenges.
• An official or unofficial transcript or GED Certificate, with the applicant’s name and the name of the school on the document submitted. 
• Letters of Recommendation/Third Party Instructions – Again this year, applicants will no longer upload their letters themselves, into the online application portal.  Instead, students will need to: 
  • Choose two references and provide their email addresses.
  • Compose a personal email notifying the references within the online portal, by copying and pasting the sample email provided or composing their own message. 
  • Reference Letter Submission Process: The references will receive an automated email providing a secure link for uploading their recommendation letter.  The email will inform them of the application deadline of February 20, 2026.  References will have until February 27, 2026, to upload their recommendation letter. 
  • Follow-Up Responsibility: The applicant is responsible for following up with the references to ensure their letters are submitted no later than February 27, 2026, the letter of recommendation deadline.
• All applicants must submit the application form, proof of residency in Garland County, transcript and essay by 11:59 p.m. of February 20, 2026, to be considered a candidate for the award.

Eligibility

Any Garland County resident who is or will be enrolled at any of the following: 

• Accredited community college
• Technical or vocational school, or trade certificate programs
• Four-year public or private college or university (including graduate or post-graduate level studies)