Top 81 Texas Scholarships🤠 in July 2024

State Grants in Texas

Did you know that many states run grant programs to help residents obtain an affordable education? Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in Texas:

TEXAS Grant

The TEXAS Grant offers funding for Texas students with financial need who are attending public institutions or healthcare-related programs in the state. Award amounts vary by year, but in 2023 they were approximately $5,000 per year.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The TEOG offers funding for Texas students with financial need who are attending public two-year community colleges, public technical colleges or public state colleges in the state. 

Texas Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

Texas is not part of any major tuition reciprocity program, but they do have a bordering states waiver that allows students at select institutions in bordering states to receive in-state tuition at select Texas universities. To see if you qualify, you can reach out to the school you are interested in attending.

Texas Tuition Promise Fund

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund is an exciting program for parents who are planning ahead for their child’s education. This fund allows parents to lock in current tuition rates and fees by saving money for their child long before they attend college.

Higher education becomes more and more expensive every year, so buying tuition units ahead-of-time can end up providing substantial savings down the line. If you are a parent planning ahead for school, be sure to investigate this program as an option.

How to win Texas scholarships

The state of Texas, with its rich history and extremely diverse population, is an exciting state to live and study in! To win Texas scholarships, it is important to understand the state’s unique qualities and how they can work to your advantage. 

Texas has a lot to offer college students!

Texas is home to a number of industries and businesses that offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in related fields such as oil, agriculture and technology. 

Additionally, Texas has a strong military presence with several military bases located within the state which can offer scholarship opportunities for military affiliated students. 

Are you a country music fan? Or just a music fan? Texas also has a thriving music scene, with special scholarships available to students pursuing music degrees at universities and colleges within the state. 

Scholarship application resources for Texas scholarships

Winning these Texas-specific scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself. You can check out our Scholarships360 guides on how to write a 250 word essay, how to write a 500 word essay, and how to write a scholarship resume to help you throughout this process. Additionally, it will be vital to review common scholarship essay prompts and learn how to start a scholarship essay to ensure you will win Texas scholarships!

By leveraging the unique qualities of Texas and pursuing scholarship opportunities that align with your interests, students can set themselves up for academic success while enjoying all that Texas has to offer. 

Texas student debt snapshot

According to the Department of Education, Texas residents owe $120 billion in federal student loan debt, with student borrowers owing $32,920 on average (those numbers do not include private loans). Over 52.3% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!

Texas scholarship spotlight

Terry Traditional Scholarship

The Terry Traditional Scholarship is a full ride, last dollar scholarship that covers up to eight semesters. Texas high school seniors who have been accepted for admission to one of the Terry-affiliated public universities in Texas are eligible.

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP)

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program awards scholarships worth up to $15,000 to students in these organizations:

• Texas Army National Guard
• Texas Air National Guard
• Texas State Guard
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Merchant Marine
• Students working to become an officer in any branch of the armed services of the United States

Merit scholarships at top Texas colleges and universities 

With nearly 100 four-year colleges and universities, Texas offers something for everyone. While the majority of the colleges and universities are located in larger metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, or Houston, you won’t have trouble finding colleges and universities throughout the state of Texas.

Austin College

• Eligibility: All Austin College applicants are holistically reviewed and considered for general academic scholarships
• Amount: $500 to $32,000 per year
• Deadline: February 1

Baylor University

• Eligibility: Baylor offers significant scholarships for students who excel academically. No additional application is required for academic scholarships
• Amount: Scholarships range from $1,000 to full cost of attendance for 8 semesters. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
• Deadline: Applicants who apply after February 1 are considered for merit-based scholarships based on available funding

Rice University

• Eligibility: All admitted freshman applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships so that no separate application forms or interviews are necessary
• Amount: Up to full cost of attending
• Deadline: January 1 for Regular Decision

Southern Methodist University

• Eligibility: High academic achieving high school seniors with a record of school/community engagement
• Amount: Four years of full tuition, general student fees, on-campus residence hall, meal plan, tuition/transportation for a summer, term, or full year abroad to one of SMU’s Study Abroad international programs. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.3. 
• Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed applications by the November 1 deadline. They must complete and return the Application for Admission by January 15 (the deadline for priority consideration for most SMU merit scholarships)

St. Edward’s University

• Eligibility: All new freshmen admitted through regular admissions will qualify for merit scholarships based on GPA, class rank (if available) and the academic experience pursued in high school 
• Amount: Up to $28,000 per year
• Deadline: November 1

Texas A&M

• Eligibility: Applicants grades, leadership, community service, special talents, first generation college status, and academic achievement under difficult circumstances are all considered
• Amount: $2,500 to $3,000 per year
• Deadline: December 1

Texas Christian University

• Eligibility: Based primarily on a combination of grades and curriculum rigor. The SAT/ACT is optional in consideration. 
• Amount: $12,000 per year to full tuition
• Deadline: February 1, but if you are a candidate for the full tuition Chancellor’s Scholarship, it is highly recommended that you apply by November 1

Texas Tech University

• Eligibility: Scholarships are awarded for high academic achievement and are automatically considered when they apply for admission
• Amount: $1,000 to $9,000 per year
• Deadline: May 1

Trinity University

• Eligibility: Awards are based on a combination of the applicant’s GPA and SAT/ACT superscore results. For applicants without test scores, merit scholarship awards are based on GPA and a holistic review process incorporating other achievements
• Amount: $12,000 per year to full tuition
• Deadline: February 1

University of Texas at Austin

• Eligibility: All applicants who apply for admission and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are considered. There is no separate scholarship application
• Amount: $5,000 per year to full cost of attending
• Deadline: December 1 

University of Texas–Dallas

• Eligibility: First-time freshman applicants admitted to UT Dallas for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. Selection is based on curriculum rigor, grades, SATs, and if applicable, class rank
• Amount: Varies: All AES awards provide funds to defray some of the costs of UT Dallas tuition and mandatory fees. For out-of-state students, any AES award also qualifies the student for in-state tuition and fee rates
• Deadline: The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1

University of Texas–Houston

• Eligibility: The applicant’s completed admissions application allows you to be automatically considered for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Awards are based on standardized test scores, high school class rank, and high school GPA. Non-residents qualify for tuition waivers as well
• Amount: $1,000 to full cost of tuition and fees
• Deadline: November 1

In-state tuition and tuition reciprocity

In-state tuition costs are often less than half regular tuition, and can save tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college. 

Here are a few well-known Texas universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:

Texas A&M University

• In-state tuition: $11,550
• Out-of-state tuition: $39,796

Texas Tech

• In-state tuition: $11,852
• Out-of-state tuition: $24,122

The University of Texas at Austin

• In-state tuition: $11,448
• Out-of-state tuition: $40,032

How do you get in-state tuition?

It is clear that being a Texas resident helps to significantly lower Texas college tuition. So, you may be wondering, how do you get in-state tuition in Texas? In order to establish residency to receive in-state Texas tuition, a student must reside in Texas for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the academic term. The student must establish a domicile in Texas, meaning that they have a physical presence in the state and intend to make Texas a permanent home. Factors that may be considered in determining residency status include voter registration, driver’s license, and employment. However, residency requirements may vary by institution, so be sure to check with each individual college or university for specific information. 

Additional Texas resources

Apply Texas

Serious about attending school in Texas and prefer one stop shopping? It doesn’t get any more streamlined than Apply Texas. This platform, created by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the colleges and universities represented on the site, offers a centralized application. The Apply Texas platform is open to both Texas and non-Texas students to apply to the many outstanding postsecondary institutions available in Texas.

Also see: How to respond to the ApplyTexas essay prompts

College for All Texans

This website lists the State and Federal Grants and Scholarship programs available to students at Texas colleges and universities. In addition, it is a great general resource and guide for all students, families, and adult/military learners.

Texas Association of Student Financial Aid (TASFA)

The TASFA is a free application that collects information to help determine how much aid the student qualifies for.  The TASFA is free to fill out and can be filled out by students who cannot apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA. 

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) 

The THECB provides resources and valuable information to help Texas residents find and apply to scholarships, grants and other financial aid resources. 

Keep reading

So far, we covered how to win Texas scholarships, merit scholarships at top Texas colleges, in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity, as well as local Texas scholarships and resources. We are not done yet, though! Keep reading for a few more scholarship opportunities for you to apply for. 

For students seeking financial assistance for college, scholarships are a great way to lessen tuition costs. Students should consider applying for scholarships that are specifically designed for their demographic. Women, high school seniors, and Black students can take advantage of specific scholarship opportunities. Some scholarships require essays and applications, but others are no-essay or easy to apply for scholarships. Remember, Scholarships360 is here to provide valuable resources and access to scholarships for students!

Frequently asked questions about Texas scholarships