From stunning national parks to world-famous cuisine, the state of Texas has plenty of natural beauty and cultural history to offer visitors and residents alike. For students considering applying to schools in the Lone Star State, we’re here to help you figure out how to make your college dreams possible. These are the best Texas scholarships you need to know about!
Scholarships: a Smarter Way to Pay
Applying to college is an exciting milestone, but we hardly need to tell you—the cost of higher education can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Texas offers a wide range of scholarships for students pursuing their college dreams, from merit-based awards to scholarships aimed at specific communities and career paths. Whether you’re a high school senior getting ready for your freshman year or a current college student in Texas, there are plenty of opportunities to help ease the financial burden.
Want More Results? Expand Your Search
It’s also important to remember that in addition to state-specific scholarships, students should explore national and institutional scholarship options. Many colleges in Texas offer their own merit-based and need-based financial aid packages, which can often be combined with external scholarships to reduce or eliminate overall college costs. Be sure to review all your potential courses of aid to maximize your financial support.
Furthermore, some scholarships have early deadlines, so students should begin their research and applications well in advance of their senior year to ensure they don’t miss any opportunities.
Best Texas Scholarships in 2024
Let’s get down to it. Next, you’ll find a list of 20 scholarships that can help make your college education more affordable. These scholarships are open to a wide range of applicants and offer valuable financial assistance, helping students focus on their studies instead of the cost. Read on to discover the scholarships available to you and get a head start on securing funding for your education.
As you read, keep in mind that these are not your only options. While this list offers a strong starting point, students should also consider reaching out to financial aid offices at the schools they are applying to. These offices often have additional local or school-specific scholarships that may not be widely advertised.
1. Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP)
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors or first-year college students who commit to serving in the Texas National Guard, Air Guard, or as a commissioned officer in a branch of the U.S. military.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000 per year.
- Deadline: Usually late summer (e.g., August 31, 2024, for 2024-2025 academic year).
- Link: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – TASSP
2. Terry Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen at selected Texas public universities (e.g., UT Austin, Texas A&M) with strong academic records, leadership potential, and financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to the full cost of attendance, depending on financial need.
- Deadline: Deadlines vary by university; typically fall or early winter for incoming freshmen.
- Link: Terry Foundation
3. Texas Exes Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin. Based on academic merit, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
- Award Amount: Ranges from $500 to full-tuition scholarships.
- Deadline: Varies; typically in December or January.
- Link: Texas Exes Scholarships
4. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors, U.S. citizens, with a minimum 3.0 GPA and participation in FFA or 4-H organizations, or other extracurriculars.
- Award Amount: Varies; multiple scholarships up to $20,000.
- Deadline: Usually February.
- Link: HLSR Scholarships
5. Dell Scholars Program
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who demonstrate financial need, have overcome personal challenges, and plan to enroll in an accredited college. Must have a GPA of 2.4 or higher and participate in a college readiness program.
- Award Amount: $20,000 over six years, plus access to a support network and additional resources.
- Deadline: December 1, 2024.
- Link: Dell Scholars Program
6. Scholarship America Dream Award
- Eligibility: Current college students (including Texas students) who have completed at least one year of college and have financial need. Open to high school graduates as well as transfer students.
- Award Amount: Up to $15,000, renewable for up to three years.
- Deadline: December 2024 (exact date varies).
- Link: Scholarship America
7. Raise Your Hand Texas Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors committed to becoming certified teachers in Texas. Must be pursuing a teaching degree at a Texas university.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000.
- Deadline: March 2024 (exact date varies).
- Link: Raise Your Hand Texas
8. Texas State University Distinguished Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: High school seniors with a strong academic background and extracurricular involvement, applying to Texas State University.
- Award Amount: $1,500 to $8,000 annually.
- Deadline: December 15, 2024, for priority consideration.
- Link: Texas State Scholarships
9. Austin Community Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors from the greater Austin area. Multiple scholarships with varying criteria (including academic merit, financial need, and community involvement).
- Award Amount: Varies depending on the specific scholarship.
- Deadline: Usually mid-March.
- Link: Austin Community Foundation
10. Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
- Eligibility: Texas residents with financial need who are enrolled at Texas public two-year colleges. Priority is given to students who have not earned a degree previously.
- Award Amount: Varies, up to full tuition and fees.
- Deadline: Varies by college.
- Link: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – TEOG
11. Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors pursuing a degree in engineering at an accredited Texas college or university.
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $5,000.
- Deadline: March 1, 2024.
- Link: TSPE Scholarship
12. St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship
- Eligibility: Central Texas high school seniors pursuing a degree in a health-related field at a Texas college or university. Must demonstrate financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to $7,500 annually, renewable for four years.
- Deadline: February 2024.
- Link: St. David’s Foundation
13. Texas Women’s University (TWU) Presidential Scholarship
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen at Texas Women’s University with a minimum 3.5 GPA and leadership experience.
- Award Amount: Up to $4,000 per year.
- Deadline: December 1, 2024.
- Link: TWU Scholarships
14. McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
- Eligibility: Hispanic high school seniors in Texas who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement.
- Award Amount: Up to $100,000.
- Deadline: February 2024.
- Link: McDonald’s HACER Scholarship
15. Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors, with an emphasis on first-generation college students attending Texas public universities. Based on academic merit and financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000 annually.
- Deadline: Varies; typically March.
- Link: Greater Texas Foundation
16. Texas 4-H Youth Development Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who are active participants in Texas 4-H and plan to attend a Texas college or university.
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the scholarship.
- Deadline: February 15, 2024.
- Link: Texas 4-H Foundation
17. South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors from South Texas counties who are U.S. citizens or legal residents and plan to attend a Texas college or university.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000, renewable for four years.
- Deadline: March 31, 2024.
- Link: STARS Scholarship Fund
18. Texas Lyceum Leadership Award Scholarship
- Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who demonstrate leadership qualities and plan to attend a Texas college or university.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000.
- Deadline: April 2024.
- Link: Texas Lyceum Leadership Scholarship
19. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi President’s Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors with a strong academic record, leadership experience, and community involvement, planning to attend Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
- Award Amount: Varies, typically up to $10,000.
- Deadline: January 2024.
- Link: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Scholarships
20. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship
- Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors, including Texas students, who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and financial need.
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $12,500 per year.
- Deadline: November 13, 2024.
- Link: Elks National Foundation
Funding Your Education in Texas
Pursuing a college education in Texas is an incredible opportunity, and funding your journey doesn’t have to be a challenge. By applying for the scholarships listed above, you can open doors to new opportunities and reduce the financial pressure of tuition and other college expenses. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements and deadlines for each scholarship, and start early to give yourself the best chance at success.
Got extra time?
Don’t forget to consider other forms of financial aid, such as grants and work-study programs. Grants, like scholarships, do not need to be repaid and are often awarded based on financial need. Work-study programs allow you to earn money through part-time work on or off campus, providing an additional means to finance your education without incurring debt. Combining scholarships with grants and work-study can significantly reduce your reliance on student loans—or down the line, your student debt.
What Makes a Good Scholarship Application Candidate?
When it comes to standing out in a competitive pool of applicants, scholarship committees look for more than just good grades. A well-rounded scholarship application candidate is someone who demonstrates academic achievement, leadership qualities, community involvement, and a clear sense of purpose. Here’s what sets strong candidates apart:
1. Academic Excellence:
While not every scholarship requires a perfect GPA, maintaining solid academic performance is often a key factor. Strong candidates show that they take their education seriously, whether through high grades, challenging coursework, or an upward academic trajectory.
2. Leadership and Extracurricular Activities:
Scholarship providers seek candidates who are not only good students but also active leaders. Participation in clubs, sports, volunteer work, or holding leadership positions in student organizations signals to committees that you can manage your time and contribute to your community.
3. Community Involvement:
Volunteering and giving back to the community are highly valued by scholarship committees. Demonstrating a commitment to social causes, local organizations, or personal projects shows that you care about making a positive impact beyond the classroom.
4. Clear Career Goals:
Many scholarships, especially those tied to specific fields, want to know how their funds will help you achieve your long-term goals. A good candidate will articulate a clear vision for the future—whether that’s entering a certain profession, serving a particular community, or contributing to a specific field of study.
5. Personal Story and Overcoming Challenges:
A compelling personal narrative can make your application memorable. Candidates who have overcome obstacles, such as financial hardships, health challenges, or other significant barriers, can often make a strong case for why they deserve support. Moreover, letters of recommendation can make a big difference in a scholarship application, if they tell your story well! Reach out to teachers, mentors, or community leaders who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential. Personalized, thoughtful letters of recommendation add depth to your application and reinforce the qualities you’re highlighting from an external perspective.
6. Attention to Detail:
Finally, good candidates pay close attention to application instructions and deadlines. Submitting a complete, well-organized application that follows all guidelines demonstrates responsibility and professionalism—qualities scholarship committees want to see in recipients.
Want to go the extra mile?
Consider following up on your scholarship applications. A polite email thanking the committe for considering your application, or asking for updates after the deadline has passed, can demonstrate professionalism and persistence. Like follow-up after an interview, this small step can help keep you top-of-mind as scholarship decisions are made.
By focusing on these areas and showing who you are beyond your academic achievements, you can craft a strong, compelling scholarship application that sets you apart. In addition, you now know what you can contribute to make sure your application tells a cohesive story. Tie your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and future goals together to create a narrative that shows not only what you’ve accomplished but also what you’re striving to achieve. Scholarship committees want to invest in students who have a clear vision of how their education will impact their future and the communities around them.
Shoot for the (Scholarship) Stars!
Remember, applying for scholarships takes time and dedication, but the rewards can make a significant difference in achieving your academic goals. Don’t hesitate to explore all of your options—whether you’re pursuing a career in engineering, healthcare, or another field, there’s a scholarship out there for you.
If you need additional support during your scholarship search or college application process, Empowerly is here to help. Our team of expert counselors can provide personalized guidance, from scholarship applications to SAT prep and admissions strategy. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation today to get the help you need to achieve your college dreams.
