Scholarships for Texas Students

Student loan debt in Texas rose to over $113 billion in 2020, according to the Student Borrower Protection Center. Scholarships for Texas students can decrease the amount of money students borrow in private, federal, and/or state loans. Lessening the student loan burden especially helps students pay out-of-state tuition.

Loans come with interest and repayment rules, whereas many private organizations, state agencies, and Texas colleges offer scholarships and grants to high-achieving and high-need students that do not need to be paid back.

In this guide, you can explore different types of scholarships available for Texas students, review application requirements, and get tips on how to make your application stand out.

Jump to Section:

Eligibility: Applicants must be Texas residents and direct descendants of veterans who served in World War I or any war or conflict after 1941.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have made a significant contribution to fighting litter in their community. Students must also plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college in Texas.
Award Amount: $2,000 or $5,000
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be Texas residents attending a two-year or four-year college. To qualify, students must submit high school transcripts, an essay, and three letters of recommendation. A committee then determines a winner based on their community service work, financial need, and academic record.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation awards 70 scholarships annually to high school seniors in Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Candidates receive funds based on their grades and financial need.
Award Amount: $20,000
Deadline: February

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship goes to students aged 16 to 25 who had a parent critically injured or killed because of a workplace accident. Full-time students at two-year and four-year colleges can apply and renew their scholarships for up to five academic years.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: May (fall semester) and October (spring semester)

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Women Communicators of Austin offer this scholarship to one student enrolled in a communications or media major at a Central Texas school. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and are required to submit an essay, letter of reference, college transcripts, and a link to their LinkedIn profile.
Award Amount: $3,500
Deadline: February

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship benefits a male high school graduate who resides in Texas and intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Requirements include good character, financial need, and a strong academic record. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to renew the scholarship.
Award Amount: $5,000 per year
Deadline: January

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to students who have resided in Harrison, Gregg, Marion, Panola, or Upshur counties for at least two years. Applicants must meet family income requirements, have a “C” grade average for all high school courses, and attend college full-time.
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Varies

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This foundation provides scholarships to Atlantic Housing residents pursuing degrees at colleges in Huntsville, Denton, or San Marcos. Qualified applicants must meet income requirements and complete 40 hours of community service.
Award Amount: Up to $1,500 per semester
Deadline: March and October

View Scholarship

Eligibility: These scholarships are awarded to two undergraduate or graduate students studying the visual arts. To show their creativity, applicants must submit three photos and a short essay.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship awards service-focused students for their dedication to Rice University and their community.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Offered by the University of Houston, this scholarship is awarded to students who have shown outstanding leadership abilities. The Student Financial Support Committee considers all admitted students for this scholarship.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Baylor University features this scholarship for service-minded first-year students. Awardees can renew this scholarship for up to three years. Applicants should be the top of their class, with at least a 1310 on the SAT or 28 on the ACT.
Award Amount: $6,150
Deadline: January

View Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate males at Texas State University who actively work to improve their community. Applicants must attend college full time and have at least a 2.75 GPA.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Texas Christian University offers this scholarship to students with GPAs between 3.72-3.85. Eligible recipients need at least a 30-32 ACT score or 1360-1410 SAT score.
Award Amount: $12,000 per year
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Created by former Lamar University baseball team members, this scholarship is awarded to students studying any major. Only full-time students who have a minimum 2.0 GPA can receive funds.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Transfer students at Texas Tech University can receive the Proven Achievers Scholarship. They need at least 60 transfer credits and a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Award Amount: $4,000 per year
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Texas Association Family, Career and Community Leaders of America provides 10 awards to students majoring in family and consumer science. Applicants must have current association membership.
Award Amount: Up to $18,000
Deadline: February

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Shop Texas Electricity offers two $1,000 awards to high school seniors preparing to enroll in two-year or four-year colleges majoring in a STEM field. Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Texas students interested in a career in floriculture or horticulture can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must contact the Texas Floral Endowment by mail for more information and an application.
Award Amount: $500-$1,000
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Society of Exploration Geophysicists offers numerous merit-based scholarships to students earning degrees in geophysics or geoscience-related fields. Recipients around the world receive an average award of $4,300. High school students, undergraduates, and graduate students can apply. Applicants must have “above average grades.”
Award Amount: $500-$10,000
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: Offered through the Texas Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, this scholarship goes to a working woman 25 years or older. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree or vocational program and residents of Bexar County, Texas.
Award Amount: Up to $1,200 a year
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Alliance for Women in Media provides one scholarship to a woman majoring in media, TV, film, advertising, or a related field. Austin-area high school graduates and college students can apply. Candidates must have a 3.25 GPA.
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Hermine Tobolowsky Scholarship started in 1995 to help women studying law, political science, women’s history, and public service. To apply, students need a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Award Amount: $3,000 per year
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

Eligibility: The Minnie L. Maffett Scholarship helps women pursuing medical or nursing degrees. Acceptable majors include nursing, kinesiology, respiratory therapy, and community health education. Applicants need at least 3.0 GPA.
Award Amount: $5,000 per year
Deadline: Continuous

View Scholarship

The first stop to find college scholarships in Texas should be an academic counselor. High school students can get help from their college counselor, while current college students can visit the financial aid office.

Outside resources —nonprofits and community foundations —also offer a large amount of scholarship aid to students. These organizations can be a great resource for locating multiple scholarship funds you can apply for.

What do you need to apply for scholarships? Specifications for scholarships vary, but generally every award asks for similar materials. Common application materials include resumes, personal essays, and college or high school transcripts. Often applicants must show proof of a minimum GPA or standardized test score.

Yes. Every student in the state can apply for federal loans, but typically only Texas residents can receive state-funded grants and loans for college.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides money through the College Access Loan Program to students who need supplemental aid to pay for school. Qualified borrowers can apply for loans up to their total tuition cost, minus any other financial aid they receive.

After completing a FAFSA, Texas residents can also access more state-run grants such as the Texas Grant that awards up $5,195 per semester or the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant that offers $1,711-$3,238 per semester. Texas grants require that students show financial need and meet eligibility and academic requirements.

Students attending private college can use the Tuition Equalization Grant for up to $3,497 a year.

Full scholarships in Texas often go to students at the top of their class who have demonstrated leadership skills and contributed significantly to bettering their community and school.

Students who want to pursue a full-ride to college should start thinking about college early. Not only should students aim for the highest grades in all their classes, but they should also become involved in community service and extracurricular activities. High school students can take advanced placement courses and exams to test out of college courses and earn credits early.

Unlike private and government loans, scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. Scholarships offer funds for tuition, fees, housing, and other college expenses without any strings attached. Sometimes scholarship funds pay individuals directly, and other times payments go directly to the school registrar office.

Grants, while they do not need to be repaid, at times come with stipulations that require students to meet long-term work obligations.

The state offers numerous opportunities for free college money. Texas scholarships programs such as the Alamo PROMISE offer free tuition for high school seniors planning to go to community colleges. College counselors or academic advisors often have more information about how students can receive strings-free funds for tuition.

Yes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which oversees higher education in Texas, offers the Good Neighbor Scholarship Program to help students born outside of the United States to attend Texas public colleges and universities.

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program offers up to $10,000 to students who meet academic requirements and commit to four years in the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, United States Coast Guard, or United States Merchant Marines.