Scholarships
There are numerous methods families and students use to offset the cost of post-secondary education. For more information on methods other than scholarships, please refer to our Financial Aid Page.
Scholarships are free money, means that students do not have to pay it back. However, there may be certain requirements the student has to meet (e.g. keep grades up, stay on campus, be a member of a club). There are numerous types of scholarships:
WHERE DO I FIND SCHOLARSHIPS??
UNIVERSITY-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
When a student applies to a university for admissions, he/she may also be applying to all available scholarships offered through the university. However, this may not be the case. It is recommended that students go to the scholarship section of the university's website. Students can also contact the admissions office of each university to which he/she applies to ask for a list of available university-based scholarships and if a separate application is needed!
Moreover, departments within the university may have specific department-based scholarships that have a separate application. Contacting the admissions department at each university will help guide you in the right direction to apply for these scholarships.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIP SECTIONS OF POPULAR TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES:
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas A&M College Station
Texas State University
The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Texas Tech University
WHERE DO I FIND SCHOLARSHIPS OUTSIDE OF THE UNIVERSITY??
NON-UNIVERSITY-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Though a majority of scholarship money awarded to a student comes from university-based scholarships, there are millions of dollars available for students from other funds. Some of these are local (typically available to students who live within a certain geographic boundary or attend a specific school).
Overall, you want to make sure TO AVOID SCAMS!!! Never pay money to apply to an outside scholarship!
There are numerous searchable databases that students can use to search & apply to numerous scholarships:
CareerOneStop SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
CareerOneStop has more than 8,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities
Scholarships.com matches you with scholarships. With millions of scholarships available, their algorithm does the work for you
COLLEGEBOARD SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINE
Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion.
When students complete the Unigo College Match, the website matches students to the right schools using a Return on Education™ score and other important factors like personality fit, academics, and geography.
The nation’s largest, multi-billion dollar scholarship database — you just need to to see all of your personalized matches and start applying today
Fastweb is a National Scholarship Database designed to simplify the scholarship search by helping students find millions of scholarships, grants, internships, and financial aid opportunities.
ARE THERE LISTS OTHER SCHOOLS MAINTAIN OF SCHOLARSHIPS?
Eanes ISD maintains a good list of non-local scholarships on their website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them.
Round Rock ISD also has a fantastic list of scholarships, which it divides it between local & non-local. Cedar Ridge High School keeps a great list as well.
Pflugerville ISD maintains a shared document of updated scholarship information.
CAN I START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS BEFORE SENIOR YEAR?
In addition to the scholarship search engines above, students and families should look into micro-scholarships.
Beginning as early as 9th grade, students can earn micro-scholarships. Micro-scholarships are awarded by colleges/universities in recognition of a student's individual achievements; they vary depending on the college and are organized through RaiseMe (students can create a profile and explore micro-scholarship opportunities). These scholarships are only awarded to students who apply, are accepted to, and choose to attend the specific college for which they earned the awards. Students should keep accurate and organized records of their activities, awards, and work experience.
Students can use websites like the ones listed here to locate some scholarship opportunities to apply to as early as 9th grade in some cases.
- Unigo's Scholarships for High School Freshmen page
- PrepScholar's Scholarships for High School Sophomores and Freshmen page
- Cappex's Scholarship page
WHAT IS USUALLY NEEDED TO COMPLETE A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION?
Scholarship applications commonly ask students to provide the following documents:
- High school transcript
- Standardized test scores
- Financial aid forms such as the FAFSA or CSS Profile
- Parents' financial information, including tax returns
- One or more essays
- One or more letters of recommendation
- A small photo
- Proof of eligibility for the scholarship (for example, proof of membership in a certain group)
Note: In addition to the items listed above, students might need to prepare for a scholarship interview. If they are competing for a talent-based scholarship, they may need to audition or submit a portfolio.
ARE THERE SOME ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC, HIGHLIGHTED SCHOLARSHIPS?
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
As one of the nation's largest need-based privately-funded college scholarship providers, the Horatio Alger Association assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles to pursue their dreams through higher education. While many scholarship programs primarily recognize academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Program awards students who have exhibited determination, integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as critical financial need.
While we have a required 2.4 grade point average, the Dell Scholars program targets low-income, highly motivated students who are better than their numbers indicate and demonstrate the drive to succeed despite personal obstacles. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a unique "GPA" of grit, potential, and ambition in their quest for a college education.
Students who are of Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students and plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2021-2022 academic year should apply.
UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. Each year, we award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country, including our prestigious network of 37 HBCUs.
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Applying to college is a complicated process, so we've created a program that guides you through it. This scholarship program is open to all students and it doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards your effort and initiative. Complete key steps along your path to college for chances to earn scholarships.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ERRORS STUDENTS MAKE WHEN COMPLETING A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION?
