College comes with plenty of expenses, but many students don’t realize just how many free resources are available on campus. As a senior, I wish I had known sooner about the wide range of services designed to make college life easier, more affordable, and more enjoyable. To help others take full advantage of these benefits, here’s a guide to some of my favorite free perks at the University of Arkansas.
Technology & Printing
Students receive free printing credits each semester, and printers are available in Tech Spot labs all across campus. The Student Technology Center offers free equipment checkouts, including laptops, tablets, digital cameras, and calculators to support academic and creative work.
University Programs & Campus Involvement
University Programs (UP) hosts a variety of free events throughout the year, including movie nights, concerts, guest speakers, and cultural celebrations.
Students can also get involved by joining Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), which provide opportunities to connect with peers and develop organizations based on shared interests.
For even more campus events, students can explore the UARK Campus Calendar, which features activities from UP, RSOs, and various UARK colleges and programs. Events often include:
- Free food and merch
- Concerts and cultural events
- Giveaways and seasonal celebrations
- Interactive workshops and activities
Library Resources
The University Libraries provide free access to thousands of digital resources, including databases, e-books, articles, newspapers, videos, and images, all searchable through OneSearch.
The Libraries provide free course materials, including textbooks, readings, and videos, for over 95 UARK classes.
Students can reserve group study and collaboration rooms in Mullins Library for meetings, study sessions, and project work. The library also offers computing, scanning, and printing services.
Career & Professional Development
The Walton Career Connections office offers free professional headshots for students to use on LinkedIn, Handshake, and student organization profiles.
With a UARK email account, students can access subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. They can also use LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of online courses in business, technology, and professional development.
Transportation & Parking
Students can use Razorback Transit for free bus service throughout Fayetteville. For late-night transportation, the Safe Ride Program provides free rides home to ensure student safety.
Tutoring and Study Support
Students can access free tutoring through one-on-one, small-group, and large-group sessions, available in person and online via Zoom. Drop-in tutoring is also available for quick questions, with sessions lasting about 20 minutes. Tutor-led study groups provide structured support for specific courses, while Study Hall offers a space to study independently with tutor assistance as needed.
The Writing Studio provides free one-on-one support for essays, scholarship applications, and other writing projects. Drop-in tutoring and writing assistance schedules are available in Penji.
Creative and Media Production
The Digital Media Lab offers free checkouts for DSLR cameras, GoPros, 360° video cameras, tripods, and microphones. Students can access drawing tablets, Adobe Creative Cloud software, and 3D printers for creative projects. High-quality resume, poster, and specialty printing is available through the Xerox printer.
Health & Wellness
The UARK Wellness & Health Promotion program offers free wellness coaching, stress management resources, and nutrition counseling to support student wellbeing.
The Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) program offers a wide range of mental health care services such as individual and group counseling, 24/7 emergency mental health services, and case management. Most CAPS services are covered by the Student Health and Wellness Fee.
Students also have free access to fitness centers, including the HPER Fitness Center and the UREC Fitness Center, which offer gym facilities, fitness classes, and intramural sports.
For mental health resources, students can explore the Ebook Central: Mental Health & Wellbeing database, which contains over 5,100 titles focused on psychology, student well-being, and self-care skills.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I wish I had known about all of these free resources earlier in my college experience. UARK offers so many perks that make student life easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, it’s never too late to explore everything the university has to offer.