The Best Scholarships in Texas

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With over 320,000 graduating seniors every year and 114 colleges and universities in the state, competition for scholarships in Texas can be steep. It’s not surprising, given that college tuition in Texas can be over $50,000 per year. To increase your likelihood of receiving a scholarship, it can be useful to seek out the best scholarships in Texas for your specific interests, skills, background, or abilities.

Are you passionate about community service and volunteering? Check out the best scholarships in Texas for community service below. Do you belong to a group that is typically underrepresented in colleges, such as certain minority groups or people with differing physical abilities? The best scholarships in Texas for minorities or underrepresented groups might be a good place to start.

Finding and applying for scholarships can take time and hard work, but prioritizing scholarships that are a good fit for you can increase the likelihood of receiving help paying for college.

Looking for scholarships in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.

This post is part of our Ultimate FAQ for Applying to Scholarships.

What We Review hide

The Best Scholarships in Texas for High Achieving Students

The Best Scholarships in Texas for High Achieving Students

The Best Scholarships in Texas for High Achieving Students

1. Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is intended for children or legal dependents of members of local unions. It emphasizes academic achievement, extracurricular activities, test scores, personal interview, and financial need.
  • Amount: $1,500
  • Requirements: Student must be a high school senior planning to attend a college, university, or technical school in the summer or fall. Student must have one parent or guardian who is a member of a local union affiliated with the Texas AFL-CIO and the local Central Labor Council.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in January before graduation and can be found here.

2. Society of Professional Women in Petroleum Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to support female graduating high school seniors in the Houston area. It considers academic achievement, writing skills, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
  • Amount: $10,000
  • Requirements: Student must be a female high school senior in the Houston area planning to attend a Texas college or university in the fall. The student must be a US citizen or permanent resident, must be available for an in-person interview, and cannot already have full scholarships or grants for tuition.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in early spring and can be found here.

3. Jerry Harvey Endowment

  • Description: This scholarship, honoring the commitment of Jerry Harvey to the ESA Foundation, emphasizes academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
  • Amount: $1,750
  • Requirements: Student must be a Texas resident and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

4. The Malouf and Iris Abraham Scholarship

  • Description: These are actually a variety of different scholarships that honor two ‘living giving legends’ from Canadian, Texas. Their goal is to help students who are seeking education in Agriculture or Human Services.
  • Amount: $500 per semester for up to 6-8 semesters, depending on the college or university attended
  • Requirements: Student must be a graduating high school senior from one of the following counties: Gray, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts, or Wheeler. The student should demonstrate character, leadership skills, and financial need, in addition to maintaining a GPA of at least 3.2. Finally, the student should enroll in one of the specified colleges or universities full-time in the fall following graduation. Schools are limited to: Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank Phillips College, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University. The course of study required varies by school selection.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Minorities or Underrepresented Groups

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Minorities or Underrepresented Groups

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Minorities or Underrepresented Groups

1. Cheryl D. Conkling Memorial Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to students with hearing  or other physical hardships who show a love of education.
  • Amount: $12,000
  • Requirements: Must live or attend school in Windsor, Colorado, Conroe, Texas, Wilkinson County, Mississippi, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana. Much be a high school senior intending to enroll in an accredited college or university in the fall. Preference given to students with hearing or other physical impairments, students not receiving other financial aid, or students living in Louisiana.
  • How to Apply: Applications are available starting at the beginning of January each year and are due in early to mid-summer. You can find them right here.

2. BAFTX Undergraduate Award

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to assist students from low-income families by reducing the hardship of college tuition and fees.
  • Amount: $4,000
  • Requirements: Student must be Texas resident studying in Texas or the UK or UK residents studying in Texas, have a minimum 3.25 GPA, and show financial need as well as being enrolled or pursuing an undergraduate program within one of several specific fields, including science, technology, engineering, math or business. There is also an interview and students must attend the award dinner.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due March 21, 2020 and can be found here.

3. Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Southwestern Region Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to students of Korean heritage who will enroll full-time in a college in the Southwestern region.
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Requirements: Student must demonstrate Korean heritage, be a full-time student at a college or university in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas, must have a GPA of at least 3.0, and show need for financial assistance.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in June and can be found here

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Community Service

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Community Service

The Best Scholarships in Texas for Community Service

1. Dana Michelle Pettaway Servant’s Heart Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to seven Christian high school seniors and emphasizes leadership in service.
  • Amount: $2000
  • Requirements: Student must be a U.S. resident and senior in Harris County, TX. Must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited college, vocational school, or technical school by the fall, have a minimum GPA of 2.75, and have completed at least thirty service hours.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and you can apply right here.

2. Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to recognize high school seniors who have led litter prevention efforts in their school or community.
  • Amount: $8,000, $6,000, and $2,000
  • Requirements: Student must be a graduating Texas high school senior who plans to attend an accredited Texas college or university in the fall.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

3. BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service Award

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to reward students from low-income families who are academically successful and dedicated to improving their communities.
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Requirements: Student must be a Texas resident, be enrolled full-time education in Texas, and be between the ages of 11-21. The student must also come from a low-income household and be available for an interview. Finally, the student should be working or have worked on an inspiring community service project within the last 12 months, and should have outstanding academic and school attendance records.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

4. Love Your Neighbor Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to reward a high school senior in the northern part of the Texas Panhandle who shows leadership and is actively involved in a local church community.
  • Amount: $500 per semester for up to two semesters
  • Requirements: Student must be graduating from a high school in the 26 northernmost counties in the Texas Panhandle, must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and be an active member of a local church. The student should also demonstrate leadership skills, commitment to community service, and financial need. The student must attend Marillo College or West Texas A&M University.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

The Best In State Scholarships and Grants for Texas Colleges

The Best In State Scholarships and Grants for Texas Colleges

The Best In State Scholarships and Grants for Texas Colleges

1. Brooke Ashton Parker Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship honors Brooke Ashton Parker, who was killed by a drunk driver in November 2016.
  • Amount: $2500
  • Requirements: Student much be a resident of West Texas or the Panhandle Area, must maintain an average GPA of 2.0, and take at least 12 credit hours per semester.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

2. Horatio Alger Ebby Halliday Texas Scholarship Program

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to assist high school seniors who have faced and overcome significant adversity or obstacles.
  • Amount: $10,000
  • Requirements: Student needs to be a US citizen, maintain a GPA of at least 2.0, demonstrate a commitment to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution, and show a significant financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income). Furthermore, student should be involved in cocurricular activities and engage in community service.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the fall and can be found here.

3. National Rice Month Scholarship Contest

  • Description: This scholarship requires students to create an original video about rice production in the student’s home state. Topics can include healthy eating, sustainable farming, or the process of rice production.
  • Amount: $4,000, $3,000, and $1,500 for first, second, and third place, respectively.
  • Requirements: Student must be a graduating senior living in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas.
  • How to Apply: Entries due in the fall before graduation and should be submitted here.

4. Hot Sauce Depot’s Scholarship for Madison’s Rae of Hope

  • Description: This scholarship requires students to write an essay (less than 500 words) about the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
  • Amount: $500
  • Requirements: Student must be a US citizen, accepted to an accredited Texas university, and have a GPA of at least 2.5.
  • How to Apply: Applications due in November before graduation and can be found here.

5. Daniel Stark Extraordinary Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to reward students who have demonstrated a drive to achieve extraordinary success, regardless of background or obstacles.
  • Amount: $1000
  • Requirements: Student must be a high school student in Texas.
  • How to Apply: One award given every quarter. You can find the application here.

6. Tom and Judith Comstock Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship, provided by the American Radio Relay League, is intended to assist students who are licensed radio amateurs in Texas or Oklahoma.
  • Amount: $2000
  • Requirements: Student must be a high school senior accepted to an accredited 2 or 4-year college, have an active Amateur Radio License, and reside in Texas or Oklahoma.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in January before graduation and can be found here.

7. Texas History Essay Contest

  • Description: This essay contest seeks to encourage exploration of Texas history through an essay about a specific event or individual important to the development of Texas as a state. The topic varies each year.
  • Amount: $4,000, $3,000, and $2,000 for first, second, and third places, respectively.
  • Requirements: Student must be a graduating senior and must submit five copies of the essay in addition to a CD.
  • How to Apply: Entries should be mailed by January 31. More information can be found here.

8. Bounce Energy “BE More” Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to a student who writes an excellent essay answering the question, “How do you consider yourself to be more than just a student?” It considers academic performance, community involvement, career goals, interests, and personal strengths.
  • Amount: $2,500
  • Requirements: Student must be a high school senior or college student under the age of 24, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and be a resident of or attend school in Texas.
  • How to Apply: The application requires an essay as well as the form, which can be found here.

9. Highland Lakes Legacy Fund

  • Description: This scholarship is awarded to a senior graduating from Marble Falls High School, TX, Tishomingo High School, OK, or Ada High School, OK, who plans to major in Business, Sciences, Computers, Christian Religion, Literature, Pre-med, Medical Field, or Engineering.
  • Amount: $3,000, up to 4 years
  • Requirements: Student must plan to enroll in a trade school, college, or university in the upcoming semester, have a GPA of at least 3.0 or be in the top 10% of their class, and take six hours of a Money Management course on receipt of the scholarship.
  • How to Apply: Applications due in April and can be found here.

10. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship

  • Description: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarship is available to graduating seniors in Texas and considers academic achievement, leadership skills, and financial need.
  • Amount: $5,000 per year, available for 4 years
  • Requirements: Student must be a US citizen and Texas resident, must be a graduating high school senior, and must plan to enroll in an accredited, not-for-profit college or university in Texas. Student must also meet class rank and standardized test score requirements.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

11. Jacques Curwen/Jay Guidry/Bill Blackburn Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship, funded by the Southern Bowling Congress, is available to members of the USBC Certified Youth league.
  • Amount: $750
  • Requirements: Student must be currently bowling in a USBC Certified Youth League and have done so for three out of four years in high school. Additionally, student must have bowled 75% of the league schedule during that time. The student must be a high school senior and have an ACT score of at least 20 and a GPA of at least 2.5.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

12. Texas Society of Professional Engineers Regional Scholarship

  • Description: The Texas Society of Professional Engineers seeks to support high school seniors entering ABET Accredited Engineering Programs through this scholarship.
  • Amount: $750
  • Requirements: Student must be a US citizen, be a high school senior with a GPA of at least 3.0, and must be entering an ABET accredited engineering program in the fall. The student must also have scored at least 620 in math and 580 in reading and writing on the SAT, or a 29 in math and 25 in English on the ACT.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the winter before graduation and can be found here.

13. Price Jr. Memorial Scholarship

  • Description: The Texas Restaurant Association awards this scholarship to students who are attending a post-secondary foodservice program in Austin, Dallas, Houston, or Lubbock. The award amounts and requirements vary by location.
  • Amount: $1,000-5000
  • Requirements: Student must be a Texas resident and graduating high school senior, and plan to study foodservice or hospitality at a college or university.
  • How to Apply: Applications deadlines vary by location and can be found here.

14. Wives Behind the Badge Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to support the higher educational needs of children of active, retired, or deceased law enforcement officers. It considers academic achievement, community service, writing skills, and extracurricular activities.
  • Amount: $250-500
  • Requirements: Student must be a dependent child of a full-time active or retired law enforcement officer or the dependent child of an officer killed in the line of duty.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in late spring and can be found here.

15. Association of Texas Leaders for Education Student Scholarship

  • Description: This scholarship seeks to promote higher education in Texas graduating seniors and includes an essay and two letters of recommendation. Financial need may be considered.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Requirements: Student must be a Texas resident, graduating high school senior with a GPA of at least 3.0. Student must intend to enroll as a full-time student at an accredited college or university in Texas in the fall. The student should also demonstrate service to the community.
  • How to Apply: Applications are due in the spring and can be found here.

If you’re looking for the best scholarships in Texas you’re going to want to take a look at each of these. Whether you’re a Texas scholar already, or you’re an out-of-state student who’s looking to attend one of the amazing colleges and universities available there, you’re definitely not going to want to miss out on the free money that’s waiting for you.

Applying to schools in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.

Also, if you need more scholarships to apply to, you’ll want to read our post on the top scholarship sites to use here.

> The Best Scholarships in Oklahoma

> The Best Scholarships in New Mexico

> The Best Scholarships in Kansas

> The Best Scholarships in Oregon

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