Top Scholarships in TX

Quick Highlights:

Scholarships are available for diverse fields and specific demographics, including ethnic groups and students with disabilities.
Many scholarships require essays, academic transcripts, and recommendation letters.
Awards vary in value and may cover significant portions of college expenses.
Scholarships are offered for both traditional college students and unique situations, like those with specific medical conditions or community service backgrounds.

Although pursuing higher education can be a huge financial burden, plenty of grants and scholarships are available. Scholarships reduce the stress of paying for school and allow students to focus on their courses and grades instead. Because the process of searching for financial aid and scholarship opportunities can be overwhelming, we’ve generated this list of 35 great scholarship opportunities.

Featured Programs

Students living in or attending college in Texas can find a wide variety of scholarships for any program, major, or type of institution. Check our out list below.

1. The TSJCL Lourania Miller & Gareth Morgan Scholarships

The Lourania Miller & Gareth Morgan Scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are awarded annually to two graduating high school seniors who studied Latin and the classics in high school and will continue their studies in college. Students must be nominated by their Texas Junior Classical League Chapter and must take either Greek or Latin in their freshman year of college to receive the scholarship.

2. Austin Alliance for Women in Media Scholarship

The Austin Alliance for Women in Media awards a $5,000 scholarship to a college junior or senior majoring in media, marketing, communications, or a related field at a university in the Austin or San Marcos area. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and have completed at least 75 hours of course work to receive the scholarship. Applicants must submit their transcript, two letters of reference, and a personal statement.

3. Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation

The Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation is a Texas association that awards 50 academic scholarships, worth $1,500 each, to graduating high school seniors yearly. For five of these scholarships, the Foundation has a preference for students who will be attending a community college. Applicants must submit a high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, two personal letters of reference, and two academic letters of reference.

4. Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

The Barbara Odom-Wesley Scholarship is awarded to a female African American student who attends school in Tarrant County. She must be a graduating senior, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and submit a transcript, SAT or ACT score, three letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word essay. The scholarship is worth $3,000.

5. Children of Disabled or Deceased Firemen, Peace Officers, Game Wardens, and Employees of Correctional Institutions Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student whose parent sustained an injury, resulting in disability or death, in their job as an eligible public servant. The scholarship can be used at a public Texas college or university and covers all tuition and fees for the student’s first 120 credit hours or all tuition and fees until the student turns 26.

6. City of Houston Scholarship Essay Contest

The City of Houston Scholarship Contest is open to high school seniors in the Houston area. Applicants must write a 500-word essay explaining how they would make an impact if they worked for the city of Houston. The judges award a first prize scholarship of $2,000, a second prize scholarship of $1,200, a third prize scholarship of $800, and two honorable mention scholarships of $500 each.

7. Diamonds in the Rough Ministry International Scholarship

The Diamonds in the Rough Scholarship is awarded to a female high school senior who is involved in community service and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be Texas residents, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, be enrolled in a college or university, and provide their high school transcript and a letter of recommendation. The scholarship foundation determines the scholarship amount yearly.

8. Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship for the Learning Disabled

The Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship is open to physically challenged high school seniors in the Texas Panhandle. The scholarship winner must have integrity, ambition, motivation, and good moral character and be enrolled in Texas higher education. Applicants must provide a letter from their special education teacher, counselor, or doctor, as well as a personal essay about how they have overcome struggles and obstacles. The foundation awards one $500 scholarship yearly.

9. University of Texas Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars Program is open to students at the University of Texas at Austin, who have financial need and outstanding academic achievement in high school. Presidential Scholars receive $5,000 per year for four years. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and complete 30 hours of coursework each year to keep their scholarship.

10. Dr. Dan J. and Patricia S. Pickard Scholarship

The Dallas Foundation awards the Dr. Dan J and Patricia S. Pickard Scholarship to male African American students in Dallas County. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be enrolled in a college or university. Preference is given to applicants with financial need. One or two scholarships of $1,000 are awarded yearly.

11. Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program

The Fifth-Year Accounting Scholarship, worth $5,000, is awarded to a Texas resident who is enrolled at least half-time in a college or university, has completed 120 hours of course work, has financial need, and plans to take the CPA exam to become a Certified Public Accountant. Applicants must have submitted an Application of Intent to take the CPA exam in order to be awarded the scholarship.

12. Aimee Melissa Davis Memorial Scholarship

The Aimee Melissa Davis Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Travis, Williamson, or Hays County, who has Type I diabetes and financial need. Applicants must provide the date of their diagnosis, a letter from their physician confirming that they have diabetes, and two letters of recommendation. The scholarship is worth $5,000.

13. George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarships

The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarships are awarded to 70 graduating high school seniors in the Houston area who plan to attend any college or university in the U.S. The award is $4,500 per year for four years. The scholarships are awarded based both on academics and financial need. Finalists for the awards will be invited for an interview with the foundation.

14. Irma Gesche Scholarship

The Irma Gesche Scholarship, worth $1,000, is awarded to a Texas resident who attends or plans to attend a college or university. The scholarship is based on academic history, financial need, and community service. Applicants must submit their high school transcript, three letters of reference, and a personal statement explaining their goals and educational plans.

15. Hellenic Professional Society of Texas Scholarship

The Hellenic Professional Society awards a scholarship to a graduating high school senior of Hellenic origin who plans to attend a Texas college or university. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and either an SAT score of 1800 or an ACT score of 27. The Society determines the scholarship amount yearly.

16. Jack’s Ride Cancer Scholarship

Jack’s Ride offers five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Houston area who have been diagnosed with cancer and are either undergoing treatment or have undergone treatment in the past. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, submit a high school transcript, a physician’s letter, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.

17. Fairrilla E. White Scholarship

The Fairrilla E. White Scholarship, worth $1,500, is awarded to a graduating female high school senior in Dallas County who plans to attend a two or four-year college or university. Applicants must submit their high school transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay about their educational and professional goals.

18. Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship

The Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior in Dallas County, who has been involved in their community, performed humanitarian services, or overcome challenging obstacles. Applicants must plan to attend a college or university and must submit their high school transcript, a resume, and two letters of recommendation. The scholarship is worth $1,500.

19. 4-H Baccalaureate Scholarship

The Texas 4-H organization awards a Baccalaureate Scholarship of $20,000 to a graduating high school senior who participated in their school’s 4-H program their senior year and two out of the three previous years. Applicants must plan to attend a Texas college or university for a four-year degree, and have a score of at least 1350 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT. They also must provide information about financial need and community service.

20. Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship Program

The Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship awards a scholarship to a Texas resident who is enrolled in graduate school and plans to work in Texas in a career in public service after graduating. Applicants must submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay describing personal and professional goals.

21. Texas Wildlife Association Natural Resource Scholarship

The Texas Wildlife Association awards a $10,000 scholarship to a college freshman at a Texas college or university. The scholarship recipient must be majoring in a field related to agriculture or natural resources. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and answer several questions relating to natural resources.

22. Mary E. Bivins Foundation Scholarship

The Mary E. Bivins Scholarship is awarded to a college junior, senior, or graduate student in the Texas panhandle. All applicants must have an interview with the scholarship committee to be considered for the award. The foundation awards scholarships of $2,500 per semester to undergraduate students and $3,500 for graduate students.

23. Hope Pierce Tartt Scholarship

The Hope Pierce Tartt Scholarship is awarded to students living in Harrison, Gregg, Marion, Panola, or Upshur Counties. Applicants must have a GPA of at least a C and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship foundation awards grants of up to $5,000, which can be renewed each year for up to four years. After receiving the award, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain eligible for the scholarship.

24. Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarship

The Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarship is awarded to Texas students who have made efforts to prevent litter in their schools and communities. Applicants must submit an essay between 300 and 350 words describing their actions to prevent littering. The scholarship foundation awards one $6,000 award and two $2,000 awards yearly.

25. Media Alliance of Houston Scholarship

The Media Alliance of Houston awards several $5,000 scholarships to college juniors and seniors with majors in media or related fields. Applicants must submit their transcript, two letters of recommendation, an essay describing what they believe media will look like in 10 years, and a 30-second video explaining why they chose to study media.

26. Doris Kallini/’Nez Muhleman Scholarship

The Doris Kallini/’Nez Muhleman Scholarship is awarded to a female Texas resident who has participated in an organized junior golf program. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university, have a GPA of at least 2.5, and provide a letter of recommendation and two personal references. The total amount awarded is $25,000, divided between four years.

27. Sandy Schenker Capell Scholarship

The Sandy Schenker Capell Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior in the Houston area who plans to pursue a career in media. Applicants must choose from one of the several prompts for a 500-word essay and must display leadership, commitment, determination, and motivation. The scholarship foundation determines the scholarship amount each year.

28. Society of Professional Women in Petroleum Scholarship

The Society of Professional Women in Petroleum awards a scholarship to female graduating high school seniors in the Houston area. The recipients must plan to attend a Texas college or university. Applicants must submit their transcript, SAT or ACT scores, references, a resume, and an essay. The scholarship committee determines the number of recipients and the scholarship amount each year.

29. Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to students enrolled in a two-year college who have financial need. The organization awards grants between $600 and $8,500, depending on the student’s enrollment status and financial need. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time and must have earned the first 30 credit hours of their degree.

30. Texas Urban Scholarship

The Urban Scholarship Fund has available several scholarships for graduating high school seniors or college students who reside in the 29 largest cities in Texas. Applicants must submit their high school or college transcript and their student aid report. The scholarship fund awards $700 to recipients attending community college, $1,000 to students public four-year colleges, and $2,000 to students attending private colleges.

31. Texas Transportation Scholarship

The Texas Transportation Scholarship, worth $1,000, is awarded to a student who resides in Texas and is enrolled in a college, university, or vocational program related to transportation. Applicants must submit a 200-word essay explaining why they chose a career in transportation. The scholarship committee also takes financial needs into consideration.

32. Todd Moore Memorial Golf Scholarship

The Todd Moore Memorial Golf Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior in Taylor County, who played varsity golf during their junior or senior year. Applicants must submit two letters of reference, one of which should be from their coach, and an essay explaining how playing golf has impacted their life. The scholarship winner is awarded $2,500 per year for two years.

33. Vinson & Elkins Scholarship Foundation

The V&E Diversity Scholarships are awarded to students who are members of minority racial or ethnic groups, have a strong academic record, display financial need, have a minimum SAT score of 1650, and are Texas residents. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and an essay describing their personal story, career goals, and community involvement. The scholarships are worth $10,000.

34. TEXAS Grant

The TEXAS Grant Program provides Texas scholarships for students who have financial need and are at least three-quarter time Baccalaureate students. Scholarship amounts range from $1,300 to $8,500 depending on the type of institution the student is enrolled in and their financial need. Students with strong academic records in high school or college have priority.

35. Top 10 Percent Scholarship

The Top 10 Percent Scholarship is awarded to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class, attend a public Texas college or university, and have financial need. Applicants must submit their high school transcript and FAFSA. Scholarship recipients can renew their award if they maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 and complete 30 credit hours per year

We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.