• Tuition-Free 5th Year

    "We know that 2020 has been challenging for students and families, but we hope that a tuition-free fifth year will be of benefit to those students who choose to pursue this opportunity."  -President Ellis Arnold

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Hendrix College recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the full Hendrix experience. In response, the College will offer a Tuition-Free 5th Year (ninth and tenth semesters) to students who were enrolled full-time during 2020 or Spring 2021 and who have not yet graduated. Scroll down for information on general eligibility and how to enroll in the program, and for questions related to academics, financial aid, and student life.

    Any student who is eligible and is interested in the Tuition-Free 5th Year (“Hendrix5”) is encouraged to contact hendrix5@hendrix.edu to learn more about how the program applies to their particular goals and to begin the enrollment process for the program.

  • Eligibility

    Who is eligible for the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Undergraduate students enrolled full-time (and successfully completing at least three course credits per semester) during the Spring 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 semesters will be eligible to complete a fifth year (ninth and tenth semesters) of study with a full tuition waiver. Room, board, and fees as well as books, transportation, and personal expenses will be the responsibility of the student. 

    When can students begin to pursue the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Fall 2021 was the first semester students could enroll in the Tuition-Free 5th Year program. The Tuition-Free 5th Year must be pursued directly after completing the eighth semester of college (NOTE: Eight semesters have been completed when a student has passed three or more courses each of the eight semesters). For example, a student who completed the eighth semester in Spring 2021 was eligible for the Tuition-Free 5th Year during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. 

    Must students be continuously enrolled to be eligible for the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    No. While we encourage students to maintain continuous enrollment for eight semesters, it is not a requirement to take advantage of this opportunity. However, as stated above, the Tuition-Free 5th Year must be pursued directly after completing the eighth semester of college.

    Are international students eligible to take advantage of the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    International students may participate in the program only if they have not completed the undergraduate degree. International students must take at least three Hendrix course credits per semester.

    Will 3-2 Engineering students be eligible to take advantage of the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Yes, students in the 3-2 Engineering program will be eligible to receive the Tuition-Free 5th Year. Interested students should discuss their plans with their academic advisor and the faculty liaison for the 3-2 program, Dr. Ann Wright.

    Are students who transferred into Hendrix College eligible for the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Yes, students who transferred into Hendrix College will be able to receive the Tuition-Free 5th Year. Depending on the number of transfer credits a student is granted when entering  Hendrix, there will be varying levels of remaining financial aid eligibility. The Tuition-Free 5th Year will be awarded for the two additional semesters directly after established financial aid eligibility has ended. 

    Can a student who has earned a Hendrix bachelor’s degree after four years (eight semesters) take advantage of the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Yes, but students will not be eligible for federal student financial aid if the degree has already been completed. The Tuition-Free 5th Year will cover the cost of tuition. Room, board, and fees as well as books, transportation and personal expenses will be the responsibility of the student.


  • Enrolling in Tuition-Free 5th Year

    How do students enroll in the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Students who will have completed eight semesters as of spring 2023 who are interested in pursuing the Tuition-Free 5th Year should do two things during the fall semester (preferably before December 1, 2022):

    • Make their intent known by completing this form on the CampusWeb checklist (you must be logged in to CampusWeb to view)
    • E-mail hendrix5@hendrix.edu to start the enrollment process, which will assist interested students in understanding the academic and financial implications of participating in Hendrix5 and make sure they have an approved plan for their academic goals for their fifth year.

    The final deadline for enrolling in Hendrix5 for fall 2023 is June 1, 2023.

    Must students enroll for a full year of the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    No, students may choose to only pursue the ninth semester; however, students who choose not to enroll in the tenth semester directly after the ninth will not be able to re-enroll at a later time and be eligible for the Tuition-Free 5th Year.

    Are students required to live on campus and have a meal plan while pursuing the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Yes. Because the residential experience is central to student life at Hendrix, students taking advantage of the Tuition-Free 5th Year must live on campus and have either an unlimited access meal plan or a 10-meal-per-week plan during the ninth and tenth semesters.

    If a student declares an intent to pursue the Tuition-Free 5th Year, are there any consequences if they change their mind?

    If a student changes their mind and no longer wishes to enroll in the Tuition-Free 5th Year, they should let the registrar know no later than Friday, April 7, 2023, which is the last day of pre-registration for the 2023-2024 academic year. If the student notifies by us by this date and they have completed all of their graduation requirements, they would still be able to participate in the May 2023 commencement ceremony. 

    How does the Tuition-Free 5th Year align with Hendrix College’s four-year graduation guarantee?

    Hendrix College does have a four-year graduation guarantee and students are still encouraged to complete a degree and graduate in four years. The Tuition-Free 5th Year is designed to provide an additional one or two semesters of educational and co-curricular benefits.

    Will a student be able to participate in commencement in May 2023 if they will not be finishing their degree requirements until their fifth year?

    No, students enrolled in Hendrix5 who have not completed their degree requirements will not be able to participate in the May 2023 commencement. However, those students would be eligible to participate in the May 2024 commencement once they have completed their degree requirements.

  • Financial Aid

    What Hendrix institutional financial aid is available for the Tuition-Free 5th Year semesters?

    The Tuition-Free 5th Year waiver will cover the full cost of tuition only. No additional Hendrix College aid will be offered for the costs associated with on-campus room, board, fees, books, transportation or personal expenses.

    Will federal financial aid be available during the fifth year for room and board costs?

    Federal regulations mandate federal aid cannot be awarded for classes that do not count toward the completion of a student’s undergraduate degree. This means that federal aid may not be paid for those pursuing only a second major or those only adding a minor since these are not required for the Bachelor of Arts degree at Hendrix.

    Enrollment in at least two full credit courses required for the degree is necessary to be considered for Federal Stafford loans, including Parent PLUS loans. A student who qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant must enroll in at least three full credit courses required for the degree to maximize their Pell award. However, some Pell recipients may still qualify for a reduced Pell award at a lower enrollment status. Because circumstances vary depending on the individual student, we strongly recommend students contact the financial aid office to discuss their situation and enrollment plans to ensure an understanding of their federal financial aid eligibility. 

    Federal aid recipients will have those funds applied to the remaining direct costs since tuition is waived for the fifth year.  Any federal aid received beyond direct costs will be refunded under institutional policies. 

    Will Arkansas state grants be applied during the fifth year?

    No, state funding is granted for a total of eight semesters assuming continuing eligibility requirements are met.

    Will a student be able to have on-campus employment opportunities during the fifth year?

    Students who are taking courses toward completion of their Bachelor of Arts degree, demonstrate financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, and are awarded federal work study may work on campus under the Federal Work Study program. Full-time students, eligible to work in the United States, may participate in the Hendrix Work Program.

  • Academics

    How will course registration for the fifth year be handled?

    Students will register during the normal registration period in the spring of their 8th semester.

    How many classes must be taken during the Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Students pursuing the Tuition-Free 5th Year opportunity must be enrolled for at least two course credits per semester, with a maximum of four course credits allowed.

    Can the Tuition-Free 5th Year be used to re-take courses?

    Yes, students may re-take courses as part of their course load during Tuition-Free 5th Year semesters, if they have not yet completed their undergraduate degrees.

    Can the Tuition-Free 5th Year offer be applied to the Master of Arts in Accounting program?

    No, the Tuition-Free 5th Year is designed for students pursuing undergraduate coursework during the ninth and tenth semesters.

    How does the Tuition-Free 5th Year apply to a study abroad or internship experience during the fifth year?

    A student on the Tuition-Free 5th Year may study abroad or undertake an internship. An internship may be done for Odyssey credit only or for Odyssey plus academic credit (however, only two academic internship credits may count toward a Hendrix degree). The Tuition-Free 5th Year waiver is only transferable to Hendrix study-abroad exchange programs; students on such programs will pay Hendrix room and board during the away semester. For all other study-abroad programs, students will be responsible for all fees—including tuition—set by the program provider.

    Can a student in the Tuition-Free 5th Year take courses for credit only during a 9th or 10th semester?

    Yes, students in Hendrix5 may take courses for “credit-only” as outlined in the college catalog. Please see the current college catalog under “Grades, GPA and Earned Credits.” 

    Can a student in the Tuition-Free 5th Year audit courses during a 9th or 10th semester?

    Yes, students in Hendrix5 may audit courses if they are a full-time student during that semester and the instructor gives permission. Courses with enrollments limited by space or equipment availability such as applied music, studio art, laboratory courses, etc., may not be audited.

  • Student Life and Activities

    Can students pursuing a Tuition-Free 5th Year participate in campus activities?

    Yes. Students are encouraged and expected to participate in the rich co-curricular student life that Hendrix offers.

    How will students taking advantage of the Tuition-Free 5th Year select on-campus housing?

    Students who remain on campus for the Tuition-Free 5th Year program will select housing on the same timeline as the rising Seniors. Details about the housing selection process are sent to students during the first week of February. 

    Will student-athletes be able to compete during their Tuition-Free 5th Year?

    Athletic eligibility is subject to NCAA guidelines. Students exploring varsity athletic participation during the Tuition-Free 5th Year should consult with the Director of NCAA Compliance in the Hendrix College Department of Athletics.