Texas Scholarships

Texas First Scholars at the University of North Texas who earn a Texas First Diploma and enroll as first-time full-time freshmen receive a renewable four-year UNT Excellence Scholarship in addition to the first-year Texas First Scholarship. Award amounts depend on high school class rank at graduation: top 10 percent receive $5,000 per semester totaling $40,000 over eight semesters, top 11–25 percent receive $3,000 per semester totaling $24,000, and top 26 percent and above receive $500 per semester totaling $4,000. Students must apply for UNT admission by March 1 for fall or December 1 for spring entry. The scholarship applies toward a first bachelor's degree with standard UNT Excellence renewal requirements including full-time continuous enrollment and a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.

The Texas 4-H Foundation awards more than 200 academically competitive scholarships each year, ranging from $1,000 to $30,000, based on academic record, 4-H experience, and, for some awards, financial need. Categories cover baccalaureate, technical, and Courageous Heart applicants. Applicants must have been enrolled Texas 4-H members for the current year and at least two of the three previous years, be Texas residents and U.S. citizens, graduate from a Texas high school this school year, and intend to attend an accredited Texas college, university, or technical school in the fall. A completed FAFSA is required by January 31, and recipients must attend interviews and the awards banquet in College Station. Applications open November 1 and are due through the online portal by February 15 at 11:59 PM.

Texas high school graduates, community college transfer students, and current Sam Houston State University undergraduates with 60 to 75 credit hours and at least a 3.25 GPA who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need may apply through Scholarships4Kats. Completer scholarships cover remaining educational costs up to $21,000 per year for up to four years (freshmen) or two years (transfers and upperclassmen), after other aid except Pell Grants. Renewal requires a 2.5 GPA and at least 30 semester credit hours per year. Freshmen recipients live in San Jacinto Hall. FAFSA is required.

The North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships since 2011 to support education in the LGBTQ+ community. General awards range from $1,000 to $10,000, and two top students annually receive $20,000 and $10,000 awards funded by donor Curtis Wolff; specialized funds cover film and television, STEM, law, nursing, and more. Applicants must prove Texas residency (currently living in Texas for at least three months, or having lived in Texas for a year within the past five years) and may study at any accredited school or certificate program, including vocational and technical training. Applicants are not required to identify as LGBTQ+, though preference may be given to students studying in Texas. Applications require two references and a transcript and are due May 31 each year through the foundation's application portal.

Texas residents in Aransas, Bee, Goliad, Karnes, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, or Victoria counties who attended high school or were homeschooled in those counties and demonstrate challenging family circumstances, financial need, and academic success may apply. College or university awards reach up to $16,000. Trade or technical school awards reach up to $10,000. Applicants must attend accredited Texas institutions. The Dennis Henneke Foundation honors Dennis Henneke's spirit of mentoring and helping others pursue education despite hardship.

Individual artists and creatives who live in Houston may apply for project grants to create and present new work or complete work in progress across all disciplines. SACI is one of Houston's annual HOT-funded individual grant programs administered by Houston Arts Alliance. Awards are up to $15,000 for specific projects with public benefit in Houston during the grant term (January 1 through December 31, 2027 for the FY27 cycle). The FY27 SACI application window runs June 15 through July 24, 2026, 11:59 PM CST, alongside Festival and Support for Organizations cycles. Houston Arts Alliance administers city arts grants on behalf of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

The Texas Business Hall of Fame Scholar Award at Texas Tech University provides $15,000 to a current junior, senior, or graduate student enrolled at Texas Tech who is highly interested in entrepreneurship and plans to pursue a career in Texas. Applicants must meet additional requirements published on the Texas Business Hall of Fame website and apply through Rawls College by February 15. The award recognizes students with demonstrated entrepreneurial interest and commitment to building a career in the Texas business community. Selection considers merit, leadership, and alignment with the Hall of Fame's mission of honoring Texas business leaders.

The Red Raider Guarantee at Texas Tech University helps Texas residents with family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less cover tuition and fees up to $11,852 per year through a combination of federal, state, and institutional gift aid. Entering freshmen may receive funding for up to eight semesters and qualifying transfer students for up to four semesters while enrolled full-time and meeting satisfactory academic progress. Students must complete the FAFSA, be admitted, and have a complete financial aid file by March 15 of the award year. The program does not cover housing or meal costs and is not available to TASFA filers or spring-admitted freshmen under current guidelines.

The Texas First Scholarship at the University of North Texas supports Texas residents who graduate high school early with a Texas First Diploma and enroll at UNT within the academic year immediately following graduation. The first-year award equals a TEXAS Grant amount, capped at actual costs, with maximum awards of $5,429 for one-semester early graduates and $10,858 divided equally over two terms for two-semester early graduates in 2026-2027. Students must be admitted as degree-seeking, register for Selective Service or be exempt, and not have used the scholarship at a prior institution. No separate UNT application is required beyond the admissions application. Texas First Scholars also receive a renewable UNT Excellence Scholarship and automatic Honors College admission when they meet program criteria.

Texas residents with demonstrated financial need who attend a Texas public university or health-related institution may qualify for the TEXAS Grant. Students must be enrolled at least three-quarters time, must not have earned a baccalaureate degree, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt, and must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled substance. Awards are up to $10,798. Funding is limited, so earlier eligible applicants have priority. Complete the FAFSA or TASFA and work with your institution on residency and any additional documentation. The Texas Legislature established the program to support undergraduates at public institutions.