Exclusive Texas Scholarships to Apply For in 2024

Texas scholarships offer financial aid opportunities to support students pursuing higher education within the Lone Star State. Catering to a wide range of academic interests, talents, and financial needs, these scholarships aim to make college more accessible and affordable for Texas residents.

From merit-based awards recognizing academic excellence to need-based grants helping to alleviate the financial burden for underprivileged students, Texas scholarships encompass a variety of funding sources, including state government initiatives, private foundations, and individual colleges and universities.

Whether you're a high school senior preparing for your freshman year or a current college student looking to ease the cost of your continued education, Texas scholarships provide essential support, helping to cultivate a brighter future for Texas students and the communities they will go on to serve.

Texas Students and Student Debt

Texas residents who seek a college education face challenges similar to those of students in other states, such as high tuition and financial difficulty. However, Texas students have unique needs due to the high number of minority students, immigrant students, and bilingual learners.

Texas College Students

A little over one million students enrolled in college in the fall of 2022. Of these students, approximately 200,000 were graduate students.

Like most states, Texas has a predominantly female college population, with over 60% of its college students being women.

College students in Texas are also split by enrollment status. A little over 800,000 Texas university students attend college full-time, while approximately 750,000 are enrolled part-time. Many students also take their classes fully or partially online, as almost 670,000 Texas college students are exclusively attending classes online, 415,000 are taking fully in-person classes, and 445,000 are taking a mixture of classes.

Attention female high school seniors! Check out our scholarships for women to help you pay for college!

Colleges in Texas

Second in size only to Alaska, Texas is full of colleges and universities, including many community college options. Texas A&M University - College Station has the most students, with a little over 70,000 enrolled in the 2020-2021 school year. The University of Texas at Austin is the next most populous school, with approximately 50,000 students, followed by approximately 48,000 at the University of Texas at Arlington.

There are college options of all sizes in Texas, including very small colleges like Paul Quinn College, with only 468 students, and Wiley College, with 615 students.

Costs of College in Texas

When it comes to the costs of higher education in Texas, the amount varies based on one's degree program. For in-state students at an average public four-year college, the annual total cost of attendance is around $18,325.

At the University of North Texas, the average total cost of attendance for the 2023-2024 academic year for undergraduate Texas residents living on campus is estimated at $27,937. Out-of-state undergraduates can expect an average cost of $40,537.

For graduate students, Texas residents living off-campus have an average cost of $26,134, while out-of-state graduate students have an average cost of $33,694. These figures include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and personal costs.

Student Debt in Texas

Like the rest of the United States, Texas is home to many students and graduates who took out debt for their education. As of March 2023, Texans had approximately 127 billion student loan debt. The average debt per borrower was approximately $33,000.

For reference, Washington, D.C., had the highest average debt, with the average borrower holding $55,000 in debt. While student debt in Texas may be lower than in D.C., it is still a significant number for students to take out and have to pay back.

The Best Scholarships for Texas Students

There are unlimited scholarship opportunities to help students afford higher education, but students in Texas should consider.

Scholarships by Grade Level

In Texas, scholarships are available for students at every grade level, tailored to support their specific educational needs. From high school to grad school, these scholarships aim to foster early academic achievement and encourage continued education, offering financial assistance to pave the way for future success.

Scholarships by GPA

In Texas, scholarships cater to students with a wide range of GPAs, recognizing both academic excellence and effort. These opportunities ensure that financial support for higher education is accessible, encouraging students to pursue their academic and career goals with less financial burden.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships in Texas are designed for students with exceptional musical talents, offering financial aid to pursue studies in music education, performance, and composition within the state. These scholarships support Texas students in honing their musical skills and contributing to the rich culture of the region.

The above scholarship opportunities are a few of the many available to students in Texas. Find more scholarship opportunities by browsing more scholarship groups now!

No Essay Scholarships

No essay scholarships for Texas students offer an accessible path to financial aid without the burden of lengthy application essays. These scholarships streamline the process, allowing students to focus on meeting basic criteria such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, or community service.

Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors in Texas

You can browse through the category options to find other opportunities relevant to your background and field of study. 

Scholarships for High School Seniors

For Texas high school seniors eyeing scholarships, there's a variety of options aimed at easing the financial transition to higher education. These scholarships are designed to recognize and reward achievements in academics, leadership, and community engagement, offering support for the next educational step.

Science Scholarships

Science scholarships offer financial aid to Texas students who are passionate about exploring scientific processes, conducting research, and pursuing careers in scientific fields. These scholarships support aspiring scientists in achieving their educational goals, encouraging innovation and discovery across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

Many scholarships are available to high school seniors, but there are tons of scholarships for all high school students. Explore these high school scholarships to find even more opportunities!

Scholarships for Texas College Students

Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships in Texas offer a wonderful opportunity for students pursuing a career in healthcare. These scholarships provide essential financial support, helping to cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses. These scholarships not only ease the financial burden of nursing education but also encourage the growth of skilled healthcare professionals within the state.

Healthcare Scholarships

Healthcare scholarships for Texas students provide a pathway to support those passionate about pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, and allied health fields. These scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare education and encourage the next generation of healthcare professionals to serve within the state.

Writing Scholarships

Writing scholarships for Texas students provide financial support for those with a flair for words to gain access to higher education. These scholarships celebrate creativity and skill in various forms of writing, from essays and poetry to fiction and journalism, empowering students to develop their talents further.

The above scholarship opportunities are just a few of the many available to Texas students. Browse more scholarships by using our scholarship search feature today!

How to Apply for Scholarships in Texas

Applying for scholarships in Texas is easy and rewarding. Scholarships provide financial assistance to financially needy students and are a great alternative to student loans. 

Each scholarship will have requirements listed in the description as well as a place to upload application materials, such as an essay, file, video, or link.

Before applying, ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements so you don't spend valuable time on a scholarship you don't qualify for. Scholarships may require applicants to be pursuing a certain major or degree type, be of a certain race or ethnicity, be a certain gender, be low-income or first-generation, or meet other requirements.

The more eligibility requirements a scholarship has, the smaller the eligible applicant pool will be, giving you a better chance of winning due to the lower competition.

Most scholarships are essay-based, so follow the application prompts to create your essay. You can find essay-writing tips here to improve the quality and content of your essays. Once you've finished creating your essay or other application materials, you can submit them on the scholarship page and click "Submit Application" to finish applying.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships in Texas

Start Early

The earlier you start your scholarship search, the better. This gives you ample time to gather all necessary documents, tailor each application, and meet varying deadlines. Starting early also means you can apply to a wider range of scholarships, increasing your chances of success.

Explore University Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships as part of the admission process. These can be based on academic merit, financial need, or specific talents. Research each university's scholarship opportunities and understand their criteria and deadlines.

Seek Private Scholarships

Private scholarships can come from companies, non-profit organizations, or community groups. They might be based on factors like community service, leadership roles, or unique talents. Cast a wide net and apply to as many as possible to increase your chances.

Utilize Your High School Advisor

Your high school advisor can be a great resource for scholarship information. They can help you identify scholarships that match your profile and achievements and might even offer insights into crafting a winning application.

Search Locally

Local scholarships often have fewer applicants, which can increase your chances of winning. Check with local businesses, community organizations, and civic groups for available scholarships.

Go Online

There are numerous online resources and databases dedicated to scholarship searches. Use them to find opportunities you might not have discovered otherwise, but be wary of scams and never pay for access to scholarship information.

Keep Track of Deadlines

Organize scholarship deadlines to ensure you never miss an opportunity. Use a planner, digital calendar, or dedicated app to keep track of dates and give yourself enough time to complete each application.

Ace Your Application

Put significant effort into your scholarship applications, especially essays and letters of recommendation. Personalize each application to reflect how you meet the specific criteria of each scholarship, showcasing your unique strengths and experiences.