Women for Harding

Our Purpose

Founded in 1965 as a Christian service organization, Women for Harding has a rich heritage in providing need-based scholarships for freshman men and women at Harding. Each year, volunteers throughout the country work together on numerous projects to fund these scholarships. Scholarship applications are available below.

Women for Harding is an organization dedicated to supporting Harding University in all her needs. We work to help promote the highest advantages in physical, social, intellectual and spiritual education for every student of Harding University.

We strive to promote a clear understanding of Christian education and foster a spirit of friendship among the women who are interested in the development of Christian education, as well as continue to raise funds for the Women for Harding Freshmen Need-Based Scholarship Fund.

How Can I Help?

Pray for God’s blessings upon Harding and our volunteers.
Choose a membership level and pay dues.
Organize and participate in fundraisers in your community.
Host an event or dinner with alumni and friends.
Support and donate to the Women for Harding scholarship fund.

First Ladies Garden

"Honoring the past, beautifying the present and planting seeds for the future."

We invite you to honor a special woman or person in the First Ladies Garden with a 4"x12" Garden Plaque.

Bison Boxes, Gifts for Students

The purpose of our various projects is to support Harding University and its students by contributing money to the Women for Harding Scholarship Fund.

Send a little happiness from home to your student during the school year and help Associated Women for Harding raise money for its scholarship fund. All packages include discount coupons from local merchants. Order a Bison Box.

Need-based Scholarships

Applications Open: Applications are now open for the 2027–2028 academic year.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2027

Award Notifications: By the end of March 2027

About the Scholarship

Women for Harding is a group of women dedicated to raising funds each year to provide need-based scholarships, helping make a Christian college education at Harding University possible for students with financial need.

Scholarships are awarded in varying amounts based on demonstrated financial need. Recipients must be enrolled at Harding University to receive scholarship funds.

Scholarship funds are distributed in two installments, with one-half awarded at the beginning of each semester. To remain eligible for second-semester funding, recipients must maintain acceptable academic and social standing and fulfill their required service commitments.

Service Expectations

Service is at the heart of Women for Harding, and scholarship recipients are expected to give back through participation in service opportunities throughout the academic year.

Students are encouraged to complete a minimum of three (3) service hours per semester in addition to attending required Women for Harding events. Participation and fulfillment of service expectations will be considered when students reapply for future scholarships.

Scholarship Application Requirements

IMPORTANT: ALL components of the scholarship application must be completed and submitted by February 15, 2027, to be considered for a scholarship. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that every required component has been submitted, including the following:

1. Completed Online Scholarship Application

Applicants must complete and submit the official online scholarship application in its entirety. If you believe you may qualify for a need-based scholarship, please speak with your Harding University admissions recruiter to request the Women for Harding scholarship application link.

All applicants must complete and submit the online application in its entirety by February 15, 2027, to be considered for a scholarship.

If you do not receive the application link, it is your responsibility to follow up with your admissions recruiter before the deadline. Not receiving the link does not exempt an applicant from completing the application requirement.

2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All applicants must submit the FAFSA, even if they do not believe they will qualify for federal financial aid.

Scholarship awards are based on demonstrated financial need, including consideration for students who may not qualify for a Pell Grant but still need financial assistance.

Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. We strongly encourage applicants to begin this process at least two weeks before the scholarship deadline.

3. Financial Aid Information Release Form

After submitting your application, you will receive an email containing a Financial Aid Information Release Form.

You MUST complete and return this additional form for your scholarship application to be considered complete.

This form authorizes Harding University's Financial Aid Office to share relevant financial aid information with the Women for Harding Scholarship Committee to assist in determining financial need.

Please watch your email carefully after submitting your online application. If you do not receive the Financial Aid Information Release Form, contact Women for Harding at women@harding.edu before the deadline.

4. Personal Essay

Applicants must submit a personal essay addressed to the Women for Harding Scholarship Committee. The essay should include:

An introduction about yourself
Why you have chosen or hope to attend Harding University
A thoughtful and personal explanation of your financial need and how this scholarship would make a difference in your educational journey

We encourage applicants to be genuine, open and thoughtful in sharing their stories.

The essay must be attached to the online scholarship application.

5. Letter of Recommendation

One (1) letter of recommendation is required and is an important part of the scholarship selection process.

The letter should come from someone who knows the applicant well and can provide meaningful insight into their character, background, educational goals, abilities and financial circumstances.

Recommendations may be submitted by a:

Church member or leader
Women for Harding member
High school teacher or school official
Employer

The letter of recommendation must be mailed directly by the reference and postmarked no later than February 15, 2027, to:

Women for Harding Scholarship Committee
Harding University
Box 10768
Searcy, AR 72149-0001

6. Applicant Photo

A current photo of the applicant must be submitted with the online scholarship application.

Important Application Reminder

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, applicants MUST complete ALL SIX requirements listed above by the February 15, 2027, deadline.

Submitting only a portion of the required materials does not constitute a completed application. Applications missing any required component will not be reviewed or considered for scholarship awards.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are completed and submitted on time. If you have not received the application link, have questions about the requirements or experience any difficulty completing the application, please reach out for assistance before the deadline.

Questions?

Please contact Harding University's Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 501-279-4276 for assistance with the Women for Harding Scholarship application process.