Scholarships at Austin College

Merit scholarship for incoming Austin College students planning to major in physics, engineering physics, engineering, or the dual-degree engineering program. Competitive applicants need at least 650 SAT Math or 26 ACT Math and Science, plus a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher. A limited number of awards between $5,000 and $7,500 are granted annually. Recipients may also receive a one-time stipend up to $4,000 for an approved summer research or internship. Renewal requires satisfactory performance endorsed by the Physics and Engineering Department.

Merit scholarship for incoming Austin College freshmen who participated in National Hispanic Institute programs during high school and excel in the classroom and community. Criteria include attendance at one or more NHI programs with signed proof of participation from at least one NHI staff member, plus demonstrated leadership skills. Applicants should describe NHI involvement on the admission application, which must be complete and received by February 1. Awards may amount up to $2,500 annually based on the admission review.

The Mary Ann and James R. Harris Endowed JanTerm Scholarship was established through a major alumni gift to make Austin College January Term international courses more accessible. It supports undergraduates enrolled in faculty-led JanTerm travel courses such as language immersion and arts-focused programs abroad when travel costs exceed many students' budgets. Applicants compete among students seeking JanTerm scholarships each year through the college's study-away process. Award size varies with endowment earnings and course travel costs rather than a published fixed amount.

The Christopher L. Elliott Memorial Endowed Scholarship honors an outstanding political science student at Austin College. Faculty in the Political Science Department choose a recipient each year based on exceptional academic performance in the major, and the award is announced at Honors Convocation alongside other endowed departmental scholarships. The fund is part of Austin College's long-standing portfolio of donor-established awards supporting undergraduates in specific disciplines. Students do not submit a separate published application; selection is handled internally by department faculty.

The Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education supports Austin College undergraduates who excel in the teacher education program. Faculty select recipients each year to represent academic excellence in the department during Honors Convocation, often alongside other teacher-education fellowships and memorial awards. The scholarship is part of Austin College's endowed portfolio funding discipline-specific recognition for continuing students. Selection is handled through faculty nomination rather than a separate published application cycle.

The J.M. Robinson Memorial Scholarship Medal is awarded at Commencement to one of two graduating seniors chosen by faculty for exceptional academic achievement across their Austin College career. Selection uses the full transcript, cumulative grade point average, course distribution balance, and credits earned, with no distinction between the Robinson and Kidd medals. The award was first presented in 1935 in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Robinson of McKinney. It is a named institutional honor whose value is not published as a fixed dollar scholarship amount.