As you begin your scholarship search, you should cast your net far and wide. However, don’t overlook scholarships for students in Texas. In some cases, you might have a better shot at winning a local or state scholarship since these are often less competitive.
Overall, winning scholarships require at the very minimum good research and organization skills. Take a look at 20 great scholarships for students in Texas and start building your list.
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1. Dallas County Promise
Amount: Varies (covers tuition not met by other grants and scholarships)
Application Deadline: Varies (depends on partner college you would like to attend)
Description & Eligibility: A last-dollar scholarship for high school graduates of 57 participating Dallas County Promise high schools in Dallas County. The scholarship covers tuition not covered by grants and scholarships at participating Promise colleges and universities. The application is usually available on October 1.
For more information: dallascountypromise.org
2. Houston Community College | Eagle College Promise
Amount: Varies (covers the tuition and fees amount not met by other grants and scholarships; book allowance up to $500 available).
Application Deadline: Check HCC's website
Description & Eligibility: A last-dollar scholarship for high school graduates in the Houston Community College’s (HCC) taxing district. Applicants must be a Texas resident residing in the HCC taxing district. Students must file the FAFSA or TASFA and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less.
For more information: hccs.edu
3. Terry Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Full scholarship (covers tuition, books, room & board and misc. exp.) for 8 full semesters
Application Deadline: Check with each participating college.
Description & Eligibility: Must be considered a US and Texas resident. Successful applicants have financial need, strong academic record and community leadership. Applications are submitted through 13 public universities in Texas. Students are then nominated by the universities for interview by the Terry Foundation. Includes a $5,000 stipend for study abroad program.
For more information: terryfoundation.org
Check each participating college website for specific application guidelines.
4. Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application Deadline: March (check website for updated information)
Description & Eligibility: Open to graduating seniors from eligible high schools in Austin, North Texas, Houston and San Antonio who plan to pursue full time studies leading to a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale.
For more information: lnesc.org
5. Toyota-West Dallas Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application Deadline: Feb (check website for updated information)
Description & Eligibility: Opens to outstanding students from West Dallas and, in particular, L.G. Pinkston High School graduates.
For more information: Toyota West Dallas Scholarship
6. Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program
Amount: $4,000
Application Deadline: check organization's website
Description & Eligibility: Open to Dallas area students who are currently attending or planning to attend a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) member college or university. Five merit-based scholarships will be awarded, and one of those is reserved for a Paul Quinn College student.
For more information: uncf.org
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7. The Pickard Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,000 (minimum)
Application Deadline: check Dallas Foundation's website
Description & Eligibility: Scholarship for high school seniors graduating from a high school in Dallas County.
For more information: dallasfoundation.org
8. Myrna D. Schlegel/AWARE Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: check Dallas Foundation's website
Description & Eligibility: Students who have been accepted (or current students) to the undergraduate or graduate nursing program at Baylor University, Texas Woman's University, or Texas Christian University
For more information: thedallasfoundation.org
9. Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Application Deadline: check organization's website
Description & Eligibility: Open to high school seniors from one of the 33 counties in Fort Worth, TX, planning to pursue studies at a 2-year or 4-year college.
For more information: fortworthscottishrite.org
10. George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $20,000 (over 4 years)
Application Deadline: visit website for current information
Description & Eligibility: Open to Houston high school seniors who are US citizens and attend school or are homeschooled in eligible counties (visit website for more information). Scholarship must be used for undergraduate study.
For more information: hammanfoundation.org
11. Texas Music Educators Five-Year Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 - $3,000 per year (various scholarships)
Application Deadline: Check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: For graduating high school seniors planning to pursue a music degree program leading to Texas teacher certification with music as the primary teaching field.
For more information: tmea.org
12. Horatia Alger Scholarship Program - State Scholarships
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: This particular scholarship is actually open to students from all 50 states, and is especially for students who have faced and overcome adversity. This program also have other scholarships going as high as $25,000 so you may want to apply.
For more information: Visit the Horatio Alger Association website
13. Hendrick Scholarship Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March (check the website for updated information)
Description & Eligibility: The scholarship program is open to highly motivated high school seniors from Plano ISD who have overcome adversity and provide documented financial need. This program offers scholarships and other wraparound services, including mentors. Students in the program generally start their college careers at Collin College.
For more information: hendrickscholarship.org
14. T.C. Miao & Rosalind Miao Scholarship Fund for Graduating Seniors
Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: April (check website for updated information)
Description: Eligible applicants must be of Chinese ethnic origin and residing in the North Texas area. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
For more information: Communities Foundation of Texas
15. Harvey Martin Dream Foundation
Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: Check organization's website
Description & Eligibility: The scholarship is available to students currently enrolled in a Dallas Independent School district or a campus accredited by the Texas Education Agency who would like to pursue a college degree.
For more information: harveymartindreamfoundation.org
16. Clarice Tinsley Journalism Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: Check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: The Fair awards scholarship to Texas 4-H, FFA and FCCLA students who have competed in placed in the livestock contests at the Texas State Fair.
For more information: BigTex.com
17. Youth Livestock Scholarships
Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
Application Deadline: Check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: Three scholarships fall under this program, including the Clarice Tinsley Journalism Scholarship (listed above). The Fair awards scholarship to Texas 4-H, FFA and FCCLA students who have competed in placed in the livestock contests at the Texas State Fair.
For more information: BigTex.com
18. Seasonal Staff Scholarship
Amount: $6,000
Application Deadline: Check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: Students who serve as seasonal staff members for three or more years and plan to pursue a degree at a two-year, four-year and technical/vocational colleges are eligible for this scholarship; also available for eligible family members of seasonal staff members.
For more information: BigTex.com
19. Youth Livestock Contest Scholarships
Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
Application Deadline: Check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: Scholarships available to Texas 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students who have won or placed in specific livestock contests at The State Fair of Texas.
For more information: BigTex.com
20. Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Application Deadline: June - check website for updated information
Description & Eligibility: This scholarship is open to children of members of Texas AFL-CIO and the local Central Labor Council. Several scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who plan to attend college, university or a technical institute.
For more information: texasaflcio.org