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Edited By: Texas Scholarships
- The average student loan debt for Texas borrowers is $32,717, according to the Education Data Initiative.
- The TEXAS Grant provides eligible students with up to $5,387 per semester to attend a Texas public university.
- Many scholarships and grants are awarded exclusively to Texas students.
They say that everything is bigger in Texas - and that includes college scholarships. Texas scholarships offer a massive amount of financial aid for aspiring students each year.
Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.
25 Texas Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines
That’s good news for students who want to avoid or minimize how much they have to borrow in student loans. The average Texas borrower owes $32,717 in student loans.
And while that figure isn’t in the top half of all states, it’s still a considerable sum of money. That’s why students from the Lone Star State should try to apply for as many Texas scholarships as possible.
Maximizing scholarship opportunities can help you reduce your student loans and make it easier to attend college. Read below to learn how to qualify for a Texas scholarship, how they work and where to find them.
What is a Texas Scholarship?
There are many scholarship providers that focus on a specific region or state. And, as the second-most populous state in the country, Texas has a wide variety of scholarships for local students.
A Texas scholarship is a scholarship that is given to a student from Texas or attending school in Texas. Some scholarships require that students fulfill both criteria, while other scholarships only ask that students meet one of these two requirements.
Some Texas scholarships may be given to students for general academic success, while others include more specific career or academic requirements.
How to apply for Texas Scholarships
Requirements for Texas scholarships may vary depending on the provider. First, start by compiling all of the scholarships you’re eligible for and list them by their due date. Make sure to focus on scholarships you’re a good fit for.
To qualify for a school-based scholarship, you may have to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required to receive federal student aid, including Pell Grants, work-study and, of course, federal student loans. The FAFSA must be completed every year that you want to remain eligible for financial aid.
Many schools mandate that students submit the FAFSA before they can be considered for internal grants and scholarships. Unless you’re not eligible to fill out the FAFSA, you should always submit it.
When you're applying to college, you have to be mindful of the financial aid deadlines. Each school has its own financial aid deadline. If you miss this deadline, then you won’t qualify for financial aid. Some schools have a priority financial aid deadline and a regular financial aid deadline. You’re more likely to qualify for more aid if you meet the priority deadline.
Each state also has a financial aid deadline that is used to determine state-based grants and awards. In Texas, the financial aid deadline is April 15th.
You should figure out what the earliest financial aid deadline is and submit your FAFSA by that date. That will ensure that you maximize your financial aid.
However, it also pays dividends to submit the FAFSA well before the deadline. Many students don't know that many awards are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. If possible, try to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it becomes available.
Where to find Texas scholarships
Texas scholarships are available through our online scholarship database at Scholarships.com. The scholarships are organized by type so you can find both standard academic awards or unusual awards. To make the process easier, you can create an account and get notifications when relevant scholarships become available.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board also has a list of scholarships for Texas students.
The school you attend may also be a good source for Texas scholarships. When applying to college, visit the financial aid website and figure out how to maximize your scholarship opportunities. Some schools may have a separate scholarship application that you must complete to qualify for all potential scholarships.
For example, the University of Texas offers the C.R. Smith Endowed Scholarship, which pays between $10,000 and $12,000 per year for up to five years of undergraduate study. This is a merit scholarship that is given to students with a prestigious academic track record.
Frequently Asked Questions about Texas Scholarships
Texas scholarships can vary dramatically, and there’s a lot you should know about them before you apply. Here are the most common questions that students and parents might have.
What are the best Texas scholarships?
There are many generous scholarships available for Texas students. Most of the best Texas scholarships are given by specific universities to their students. For example, the University of Texas-Austin provides free tuition for students with a household income less than $65,000. The school also offers some tuition assistance for students with a household income between $65,000 and $125,000.
Also, the state of Texas offers free tuition for one year for valedictorians who attend an in-state school. This is only available for Texas high school graduates.
Do I have to attend school in Texas to be eligible for a Texas scholarship?
Scholarship providers can set their own eligibility requirements, and many do not mandate that students attend a Texas school to receive a Texas scholarship.
Some scholarships may require you to be both a Texas resident and also attend school in Texas. Make sure you read all the requirements and understand the rules.
Do I have to be from Texas to receive a Texas scholarship?
In most cases, you must be a current Texas resident to qualify for a Texas scholarship. Each scholarship may have its own residency definition, but it often means living in the state for at least one year.
On the other hand, the University of Houston Tier One Scholarship is available for both in-state and out-of-state students. Out-of-state students will receive a tuition waiver granting them in-state status at the University of Houston. This means that out-of-state students will pay the same rate as a Texas-based student.
Some scholarships may accept students who either attend school in Texas or who graduated from a Texas high school. For example, the Austin Alliance for Women in Media Scholarship requires that you either attend school in the Austin area or have attended high school in Austin.
This $5,000 scholarship can only be used toward an undergraduate degree. Eligible students must have an overall 3.2 GPA or a major-specific 3.0 GPA. You must have declared a major related to journalism or have college or professional experience in a media-related field.
Are there scholarships for students from specific Texas counties or cities?
Geographic scholarships can often have specific or general requirements. There are Texas scholarships for students living anywhere in the Lone Star State, as well as scholarships for those living in specific cities or counties.
For example, the Mark Kilroy Foundation Scholarship only gives out awards to students from select high schools in Brazoria or Galveston County. This scholarship is worth $4,000. Students must attend an accredited college or trade school in Texas to qualify for this scholarship.
Are there Texas scholarships for certain minority groups?
Texas is home to a wide variety of races and nationalities. If you are part of a specific minority group, then you may find scholarships that are perfect for you.
For example, the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Scholarship Program is available to Hispanic or Latino students who plan to be full-time college students. You must have a 2.5 GPA or higher and live in Texas to qualify. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen.
The scholarship program offers multiple types of scholarships, many of which can be renewed for more than one year. Students attending two- and four-year schools are eligible, as well as those in graduate or PhD programs.
Women may also find special scholarships exclusively for them, especially if they’re studying a field that has been historically dominated by men.
For example, the British American Foundation of Texas provides a Women in STEM Award for female students from Texas who are also attending school there. They must also have come from a low-income family and have either a 3.0 GPA if you’re a current college student or a 3.5 GPA if you’re a current high school student. The scholarship is worth $5,000.
Are there specific Texas scholarships for certain majors or degrees?
Many scholarships, including Texas scholarships, only require that you be attending college to be eligible. However, others only award funds to students who are pursuing a particular major or receiving a certain degree.
For example, the G.B. Mann Scholarship is given to a student who is majoring in civil engineering. You must also be from Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro or Rockwall County in Texas. Only students receiving their bachelor's degrees qualify for this scholarship.
Can I get a Texas scholarship if I’m an international student?
International students are often at a disadvantage when it comes to being eligible for scholarships. Most of the time, financial aid is only given to students who are U.S. citizens or at the very least reside in the U.S.
There may be some rare exceptions. For example, the Good Neighbor Scholarship Program offers 12 months of free tuition at a Texas school to students from a country in the Western Hemisphere, excluding the U.S. or Cuba.
To be eligible, you must plan to return to your home country after receiving your degree. This scholarship is available at select Texas colleges and universities, including both two- and four-year schools.
If you still want more financial aid, you should look for opportunities within your home country. They may have scholarships available for students who are studying abroad.
Are Texas scholarships available for community college students?
Community college students often make the mistake of thinking that they're not eligible for scholarships the way that other undergraduate students are. Fortunately, many awards are available for both two- and four-year students.
For example, the Don’t mess with Texas® Scholarship is given to a student to promote the litter prevention campaign, “Don’t mess with Texas.”
You must be a current Texas high school student who will attend an accredited school, either a two- or four-year school, in the U.S. Two winners will be chosen and each one will receive $5,000.
Do you have to attend a public school in Texas to get a Texas scholarship?
Many Texas scholarships are available to students who are attending any kind of school, public or private, in the state, as long as it's accredited.
However, some special awards are only given to students attending a public institution. For example, the TEXAS Grant is a state-based grant only given to local students attending a public Texas school.
To qualify for this grant, you must have demonstrated financial need. You must also be attending school on a 3/4 basis or more. You cannot have received a bachelor’s degree before. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA.
If you want to attend a private college or university in Texas, you may find that there are some awards specifically for students like you. For example, the Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG) provides up to $5,810 per year for students attending a private Texas college.
You must have demonstrated financial need and attend school on a 3/4 basis or more. This grant, like other scholarships, also requires that students complete the FAFSA.
Are there Texas scholarships for older students?
Many Texas scholarships are given to students directly coming out of high school. But we all know that not everyone has a straight path to college.
The Women with Promise award is given to female students from North Texas who are either restarting or just beginning their college degree.
The scholarship amount ranges between $250 and $5,000. The number of awards varies from year to year. You must have demonstrated financial need to qualify. Both part-time and full-time students are eligible, as long as they attend an accredited school. Only those who are eligible to submit the FAFSA can apply for this scholarship.
What is the typical GPA requirement for a Texas scholarship?
As a basic rule of thumb, most scholarships require that students have a 3.0 GPA. However, the exact requirement depends on the particular scholarship.
For example, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Annual College Scholarship does not have a specific GPA requirement to be eligible. However, if you are selected, you must maintain a 2.5 GPA in college. You must also take at least 12 credit hours per semester.
If your high school GPA is less than a 3.0, you can still find scholarships that you’re eligible for. Also, once you get to college, your high school GPA usually won’t matter when it comes to applying for scholarships. If your college GPA is a 3.0 or higher, you’ll likely find lots of awards you’re eligible for.
Are there Texas scholarships for those in the military?
The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) is awarded to students who want to join one of the following service branches:
- Texas Army National Guard
- Texas Air National Guard
- Texas State Guard
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Merchant Marine
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
- Air Force
- Space Force
- Coast Guard
To qualify for the scholarship, you need to meet two of the following four requirements:
- Have a 3.0 GPA
- A minimum ACT score of 23 or a minimum SAT score of 1070
- Be in the top third of your graduating class
- Graduate as part of the Distinguished Achievement Program
When you enroll in a Texas school, you must also join the ROTC program and complete four years of ROTC training. You must then serve in the military for a certain period of time, which will depend on the individual branch.