Free Gift Aid from the State of Texas: Scholarships and Grants for All

College for Texans is the clearinghouse through which Texas students should search for state-funded scholarships and grants. You’ll find a mother lode of general and specific cash awards – something for everyone, really.

What you must realize is that to be considered for any of these awards you must fill out and file the FAFSA.

General Scholarships and Grants for Texas Students

Most states hand out millions of dollars in general tuition grants based in a wide array of student requirements. Texas is no different. Really the overall goal is to allow as many students as possible the opportunity to afford a college education if they want one.

  • Texas Educational Opportunity Grants provide full tuition to eligible students enrolled in a community college or other 2-year institution in Texas. Eligibility criteria includes demonstrable financial need, low Expected Family Contribution EFC and at least part-time attendance.
  • Texas GRANT is a popular and very accessible program for many Texas students. Eligible applicants must show financial need—information available via the FAFSA—low Expected Family Contribution, and enrollment in a 2- or 4-year undergraduate public school in Texas. Awards are up to the cost of tuition.
  • Texas Public Educational Grants are campus-based aid designed for financially needy students, particularly those that are foreign and non-U.S. citizens. Award funds vary based in student need and available funding on campus.
  • Top 10% Scholarship is an innovative program aimed at academically talented students. Goal: keep them IN Texas as students and eventually as working professionals part of the Texas economy. Students that file their FAFSA early earn $2,000 in scholarship dough.
  • Tuition Equalization Grants are provided to financially needy students enrolled in private and not for profit colleges in Texas. Awards are no more than $3,330 annually.

Career –Specific Scholarships and Grants

Students pursuing high need careers as teachers, nurses, and doctors, will often have expanded scholarship, grant and loan repayment options open to them.

  • Texas Health Service Corps is designed to award new physicians cash stipends in return for practice in an underserved healthcare facility in the state- which is often a rural location. Awards are $15,000 annually.
  • Vocational Nursing Scholarships are provided to student nurses with financial need who are pursuing a vocational program leading to an LPN license. Why? Given the state of healthcare and the nursing shortage many facilities are opting to use LPNs whenever they can, driving up demand for these professionals. Maximum award is $1,500 and preference may be given to nursing students from rural districts.
  • Professional Nursing Scholarships are awarded to both undergraduate and graduate RN students studying in Texas. Applicants must demonstrate need for the funds, which can be as much as $2,500.

For more information on current Texas scholarships and grants, visit the College for Texans website.