News | StudentsJuly 31, 2025

Tax-Free Weekend Savings Apply at UAFS

Written By: Ian Silvester

Students at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith can take advantage of the savings with purchases from the UAFS Bookstore in person or online during Tax-Free Weekend, Aug. 2-3.

Since 2011, the first weekend of August has been celebrated by consumers as a time to save. From clothing to electronics to school supplies, the Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday allows the sale of select items tax-free.

Items can be bought at the UAFS Bookstore from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, or online starting as early as 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, without the addition of state or local sales tax.

At UAFS, students can take advantage of savings on purchases made from the UAFS Bookstore, in person or online. Items with savings include textbooks, pens, highlighters, notebooks, calculators, laptops, printers, tablets, and art supplies.

“We work to make sure that all students feel prepared for their courses,” said DaWaina Nolan, UAFS Bookstore manager. “This goes beyond just textbooks. We have most everything a student would need, from kits needed for programs, electronics, and even dorm items. We can adapt to students’ learning needs, whether that be an online e-book or a cost-effective option like rentals. We pride ourselves on being able to support all students through their college career.”

The tax-free weekend is a great time to pick up UAFS apparel and prepare for cooler temperatures, showing off that Lion pride. All individual items of clothing under $100 and clothing accessories under $50 can be purchased tax-free.

For a successful weekend of tax-free purchases, Nolan has a few words of advice for incoming and returning students:

• Become familiar with the Lions Textbook Access Program, or LTAP. This is a program where required materials will be included in student fees. If you have a course in this program, you will not need to purchase materials for it. Instead, the materials will be sent to your UAFS email a week before classes. A list of these courses can be found here: https://uafs.edu/student-life/ltap.php.
• Order online at the UAFS Bookstore website, bkstr.com/uafsstore. Once there, go to the “Textbooks” tab and enter the course(s). Then choose the type of book preferred, e.g., e-book, rent, etc. E-books are taxable. When checking out, if using financial aid, enter the new Workday Student ID located on the “Profile” tab of the Workday Student app.
• In the fall and spring semesters, student financial aid can be used shortly before classes start. It closes two weeks after the semester begins. Financial aid can be applied toward textbooks, e-books, electronics, school supplies, and kits needed for programs.
• Bring a copy of class schedules when visiting the UAFS Bookstore located inside the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. Class schedules are used to correctly identify classes and materials required.

Nolan anticipates a higher-than-normal volume of shoppers during the tax-free weekend and asks that all questions be directed to Noelle Moates, a UAFS Bookstore associate, at noelle.moatesFREEuafs.

A list of items that do and don’t qualify for the exemption can be found on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.

• Tags:
• Tax-Free Weekend
• UAFS Bookstore