State-Specific Scholarships in Texas

The Value of State-Specific Scholarships

Did you know the average federal student loan debt is around $38,375? Plus, as of the fourth quarter of 2024, about 4.86% of federal student loans were in default. On the private loan side, 1.61% of loans were in default by the first quarter of 2024. It’s a pretty tough situation for a lot of people.

To attract more students to pursue college, Texas is introducing more state-specific scholarships. These Texas scholarships are the same as regular scholarships but are only available to students studying in or from Texas.

Texas scholarships can be just as competitive as traditional ones but can often give you more chances of winning as the pool is smaller and more focused.

Unlike other financial aid like loans, scholarships do not require repayment, which helps you graduate with significantly fewer debts.

Here are a few reasons why you need to pursue state-specific scholarships in Texas:

Less Stress

This is very true! Student or not, having no debt results in a much lighter way of living. But for graduates, it can even be more rewarding. According to Gallup-Purdue University, graduates with less to no student loans live happier lives and lead on to become more successful in both their personal and professional lives.

Bigger Benefits

A lot of people stick to their jobs not because they want to but because they have to. They know well enough that if they become unemployed for months, they may be unable to pay for their student loans. This leads to loan default, which causes severe financial consequences, such as:

• reduction of your credit score
• impairment of your ability to borrow money in the future
• high charged fees
• seizure of your personal property

On the flip side, students with fewer student loans to worry about are able to start their own businesses or pursue their dream careers.

More Savings

State-specific scholarships allow you to become proactive now and in the future. They allow you to save more and more quickly for more important things like traveling, starting a family, buying a house, or starting your own business. When debt isn’t holding you back, you’re more willing to take chances and go after what you really want.

Much like other scholarship types, you can also expect to find two types of Texas college scholarships:

1. Merit-based scholarships are for academically or artistically excellent students.
2. Need-based is for those who struggle financially.

Other Texas financial aid opportunities include:

• Grants
• Work-study
• Fellowships
• Tuition exemptions

Related Articles:

• How to Find College Scholarships in Your State
• Top 10 Best Scholarships for College Students
• Unlocking Opportunities: Online Education Scholarships

Top State-Specific Scholarships in Texas

Public Service Scholarship of the Law Office of Shane Kadlec

If you’re passionate about making a difference today, this is one of the best scholarship programs we recommend. As one of the top scholarships for Texas residents, it supports several students, including high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students, who are dedicated to a career in public service.

• Award Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • State: Texas
  • Field of Study: Public Service
  • Education Level:
    • High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Studying in or from Texas
    • Must be committed to pursuing a career in public service
• How to Apply:
  • You must submit a written statement explaining why you’re committed to pursuing a career in public service.
  • You should highlight your ambition, drive, and the impact you hope to make in your community and beyond.

Kristie’s Kids – Loving Arms Around Those Impacted By Cancer Scholarship

Cancer is a life-changing disease that affects not only those diagnosed but also their families and communities. This scholarship is one of the top merit-based scholarships in Texas. It seeks to support high school seniors who have been impacted by cancer, whether through personal experience as a survivor or through the loss of a loved one.

• Award Amount: $5,000 (2 winners, $2,500 each)
• Deadline: May 2, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: High school senior
  • State: Texas
  • GPA: 3.0 or higher
  • Background: Must have been affected by cancer (whether as a survivor or through the loss of a loved one)
• How to Apply:
  • Write an essay about yourself and share how cancer has impacted your life journey.
  • Preference will be given to students who are Christian or involved in:
    • music, arts, cancer research, mentoring, communication/speech, OR
    • volunteering/advocacy

Zavalla Students Scholarship

Zavalla is a small, rural town. Despite educational barriers, several students are living in the area who dream of a brighter future. This scholarship is designed to help students from Zavalla who are pursuing any form of higher education, whether through a two-year or four-year degree or trade school and have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering.

• Award Amount: $2,000 (2 winners, $1,000 each)
• Deadline: July 21, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: Senior in high school or high school graduate pursuing any form of higher education
  • Location: Zavalla, Texas
  • Background:
    • Must have volunteering experience
    • Students pursuing trade schools or training in fields such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, cosmetology, accounting, or IT are especially encouraged to apply.
• How to Apply:
  • Write an essay about yourself, why college is not the only path to success, and how you would use your education to improve both your life and your community.
  • Upload images of places in your community that you could help improve with your training or education.

Margaret A. Briller Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Margaret A. Briller was an amazing mom, nurse, and a true source of strength, leaving behind a legacy that still inspires so many. Nurses like Margaret are so important in healthcare, but financial struggles can make it tough for people to become nurses. This scholarship is a way to celebrate Margaret’s life and help women in Texas who are working toward a nursing degree.

• Award Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: July 12, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
  • Race: African American
  • Gender: Female-identifying
  • State: Texas
  • Field of Study: Nursing
• How to Apply: Write an essay discussing:
  • How your characteristics and goals align with Margaret’s legacy
  • How this scholarship will help you overcome financial barriers in pursuing your nursing degree
  • how you plan to make a difference with your degree,
  • What adversity you faced in your educational journey (e.g., single mother, personal challenges).

Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship

This scholarship, considered one of the best scholarships for Texas students, aims to honor the legacy of Dr. Marie M. Daly, the first African American woman to complete a PhD in Chemistry, and to inspire the next-generation minority women in STEM. If you’re a BIPOC female student attending one of the eligible universities and studying in a STEM field, this scholarship is for you.

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: June 16, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: Undergraduate student
  • Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
  • Gender: Female
  • Major: STEM
  • Schools: UT Dallas, UT Austin, University of North Texas, UT Arlington, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M University–College Station
• How to Apply:
  • Write an essay outlining your career goals after college.
  • Explain how you plan to achieve them.

Coach Doc Ryan Memorial Scholarship

Coach Richard “Doc” Ryan was a beloved figure at Terrell High School, shaping the lives of countless athletes. This scholarship honors his legacy by supporting student-athletes at Terrell High School who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, and community involvement. It has become one of the most awaited private scholarships in Texas annually.

• Award Amount: $6,000 (2 winners, $3,000 each)
• Deadline: June 2, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: High school student
  • School Name: Terrell High School
  • State: Texas
  • Background: Student-athlete
• How to Apply: Write an essay explaining how you have gone above and beyond the typical expectations for high school students, both on the field and in the classroom, as well as in your community.

Elite Security International Scholarship

This is one of the finest Texas need-based scholarships that support first-generation college students from the state who are paving the way for their families in higher education. It aims to ease the transition to college and help these students create a new legacy for themselves and their families.

• Award Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: May 10, 2025
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Education Level: High school senior
  • State: Texas
  • Background: First-generation college student
• How to Apply: Write a short essay in response to the prompt: How has being the first in your family to pursue a college degree impacted your educational journey and future academic goals?

How to Apply for Texas State Scholarships

Applying for Texas student financial aid programs, including scholarships, is as hard as applying for college. The percentage of students who actually win scholarships is relatively low, which is why many students feel discouraged. Yet, we think that proper planning and preparation can make all the difference.

Let us explore a straightforward guide on how to apply for scholarships in Texas:

You need to know if you’re qualified.

While it is very tempting to apply to all the scholarships you see during your search, not fully understanding what they entail and what is required can bear zero results. Not because a scholarship advertises that it accepts applicants with a 3.5 GPA, and you have that means that you’re qualified. Other eligibility criteria exist besides GPA; others don’t even need your GPA.

You also need to be very careful when applying for Texas scholarships for minority students. There are different types of minorities. Categories include Ethnic and Racial, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Disability, and Veterans and Military. Review the eligibility requirements and see if you qualify.

Materials for Texas state grants for college students and scholarships vary, but to prepare in advance, we recommend having the following ready:

1. Your transcripts
2. Resume
3. Proof of enrollment

Create compelling personal essays and recommendation letters.

Most scholarships, especially ones with high amounts, will urge you to submit essays and recommendation letters. The purpose of these letters is to see you as a person and why you deserve the award. Most scholarships have prompts you need to answer, so always check the full requirements.

There are also guidelines for creating essays, such as word count, fonts, and more. Here are a few practical tips on how to create attractive essays for scholarships:

1. Share a meaningful moment from your life that reflects your values, strengths, and experiences.
2. Don’t be afraid to share challenges you’ve faced or dreams you have. Vulnerability shows growth and resilience.
3. Clarify how receiving the scholarship can lead you to your goals and make a difference in your community.

Stay organized and meet deadlines.

If you don’t submit all the required documents on time, say goodbye to the scholarship. The majority of Texas government-funded scholarships tend to follow similar timelines, such as

• Early Spring Deadlines (February – April)
• TASFA and FAFSA Deadlines (March 15)
• Summer Deadlines (May – June)

Private Texas student financial aid programs, on the other hand, can have a much wider range of deadlines.

Additional Resources for Texas Students

Here are a few links that will lead you to scholarships for students in Texas:

1. Texas Scholarships
2. Exclusive Texas Scholarships to Apply
3. Texas Comptroller Scholarships and Other Financial Programs
4. Texas One Stop
5. Top Texas Scholarships For You

Note: Scholarships for online students in Texas are harder to find than traditional ones. If you’re an online student, we recommend allocating more time.

Final Tips: Maximizing Your Scholarship Potential

Is one scholarship enough? No. Even if you qualify for a full tuition scholarship, it may often not be enough; consider your other expenses like books, room and board, and transportation.

The best way to make college more affordable is to apply for as much national and state-specific aid as you can. Yet, remember to read each eligibility criterion carefully and ensure you’re meeting them to avoid wasting your time.