Texas Scholarships and Grants
Get an Advantage Over Your Education Costs
As one of the largest states in America, it's no surprise that Texas offers substantial numbers of grants and scholarships to individuals looking to enter into or who are already enrolled in a Texas institute of higher education.
For Texas Residents
Merit-Based Scholarships & Grants
Texas residents who attended high school in the state and who graduated early (no more than 36 months for 9th-12th grade curricula) on or after 9/1/2003 are eligible to apply for the Early High School Graduation Scholarship. This scholarship entitles students to receive monies that can be used toward tuition to any Texas college or university. (Students who graduated after 9/1/2005 and can prove they could not complete high school early because the required courses were unavailable to them may also be eligible if they completed all courses within 41 months or 46 consecutive months with 30 hours of college credit.) As of 2005, over 3,880 students had received scholarships through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program. (There is also a $1,000 scholarship available to students who meet the early graduation criteria but graduated prior to 9/1/2003.
If you have been named the top 10% in your high school graduating class (or GED center graduating class), you can apply for the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship (BYRD). This merit-based scholarship can be used in both in-state and out-of-state institutes of higher education; the maximum each student can receive is $1,500/year for four years. Your high school counselor or GED director should have information on the program. Read more at the Texas Higher Education Board website.
Need-Based Scholarships & Grants
Foster children 16-23 years old who will be leaving the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services may apply for Education and Training Vouchers for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care. These vouchers provide financial assistance to foster children planning to attend an accredited (or preaccredited) two- or four-year public or private college in Texas. This voucher may be awarded up to $5,000 per year.
If you're in need of financial assistance, you can apply for the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP) if you're planning to stay in the state to obtain a higher education degree. The amount of this award is up to $5,000 depending upon the students' need; in 2004-2005, over $1.8 million was given in LEAP monies. You'll need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through your college or university financial aid office to find out if you are eligible for this program.
The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program (TEOG) assists students who enroll at any of Texas' public two-year colleges and do not currently hold associates or bachelor's degrees. Awards are equal to tuition and required fees as annually proscribed by the state of Texas. You can apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available through your college or university financial aid office.
Profession-Specific Scholarships & Grants
If you have been employed as an educational aide for one year of the past five years or a substitute teacher for 180 days of the past five years and want to become a certified teacher, you can apply for an Educational Aide Exemption on the FAFSA to cover tuition and some fees. Additionally, students must meet annual adjusted gross income criteria. See more national teaching scholarships.
As an incentive to students who are enrolled in graduate programs in public service, public administration, and public affairs, the Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship Program provides $2,000 to one resident who intends to work in Texas after graduate school completion.
For men and women who plan to become nurses (especially in rural Texas areas), Professional Nursing Scholarships (PNRS) offer financial assistance to students already enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The awards may only be used at in-state colleges or universities and the award limit is $3,000 per year. Your financial aid office should be able to provide you with an application. See more national teaching scholarships.
If you are fluent in Spanish and English, you can apply for the Jeannette Marquis Memorial MLS Scholarship which is geared toward increasing the number of bilingual librarians in Texas public and school libraries. This scholarship amount is $1,000 and may be renewed once. You must already be enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS program and must also have a TLA membership, among other library science-specific requirements.
For Residents of All States
Merit-Based Scholarships & Grants
For non-resident National Merit Finalists who need financial assistance and plan on attending a private, non-profit Texas university or college, the Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG) provides monetary assistance. The award gives up to $3,444 per school year; in 2004-2005, over 26,200 students received help.
Need-Based Scholarships & Grants
If you're a non-resident attending a Texas college or university, you can try for a Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) through your higher education institution. You must be able to show financial need, and there is no specific amount for this award (each college or university sets its own limit based on its resources.) You can find more information through your school's financial aid office.
Profession-Specific Scholarships & Grants
For accounting students who are entering their fifth year at a Texas institute of higher education, there is an up to $3,000 Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship program for which they can apply. The one major caveat is that the students must sign a verification that they intend to take the Texas CPA exam. The Dean or head of your school's accounting department or your college financial aid office can supply more information on this state-run grant. See more national accounting scholarships.
If you are a physician who plans to work in the state of Texas in a medically underserved community, holds a degree from a U.S. accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school, and expects to specialize in family practice, general pediatric medicine, general internal medicine, or general obstetrics and gynecology, you can apply for the Texas Health Service Corps Program: Stipends for Resident Physicians (THSC). The annual amount of the stipend is $15,000 per year. See more national medical scholarships.
Institution-Specific Scholarships & Grants
Should you decide to attend a Texas institute of higher education, you may also be eligible for awards that are very college or university-specific. For example, the South Texas College of Law offers over $3 million in grants, scholarships, and other monetary awards each year. Chances are, your school will also have ways to assist you in funding your education, even if you're not a native Texan.
