LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Now, is the time students are registering for college. Administrators are crossing their fingers for increased enrollment--especially among freshmen.

Incoming freshmen and their parents get their first glimpse of college life during orientation at UALR. It's a chance for Angel Scroggins to pursue her passion - teaching.

"I loved English for a long time, and it's my strongest subject," says Angel Scroggins. " At first I just wanted to be a high school English teacher and then I thought well if I go ahead and take the extra step and become a professor, I would make more money."

Money is one of the many reasons freshmen told us they're attending college. Aaron Steed will major in early childhood education using the Academic Challenge Scholarship funded by the lottery.

"It's pretty much the reason why I'm coming to school. If I didn't have that, I don't know what I would be doing," says Aaron Steed, and his mom, Cassandra Steed, says he would have attended college either way.

"I went to school. His dad went to school. He has it in his mind, an education is what he needs," says Cassandra Steed.

Slightly more freshmen are expected to enter Arkansas colleges this year with 600 more receiving the Academic Challenge Scholarship. Interim Higher Education Director Shane Broadway says his department is pushing this initiative.

"We have Say-Go college week in February," says Broadway. "Governor Beebe established a goal to double the number of college degrees by year 2025."

To do that, universities must increase enrollment and retention rates.

You can follow Pam on Twitter @pbaccam.