Texas State University Scholarships

Texas State University Scholarships and Financial Aid

Texas Scholarships

Offering over 200 programs in undergraduate and graduate degrees, Texas State University is a public university that is comprised of ten different departments and colleges. Known for its focus on research, Texas State University is ranked among the top public research universities in America, and the majority of its student body is composed of ethnic minorities.

Texas State University is located in San Marcos, Texas, and many students come to this university to study ecosystems brimming with aquatic species. Located near the second-largest spring in the state of Texas, students get a first-hand experience in a kayak with glass-bottom floors.

In addition to its great water research, Texas State University offers scholarships opportunities to its students, whether incoming, transfer, or current. So make sure to check out these scholarships down below, and please post any comments in the section down below!


Types of Scholarships Offers at Texas State University

To be honest, this post does not contain every scholarship that is offered by Texas State University since we try to list only the high-value scholarships to make it worth your time. Also, the scholarship list is updated every year, so make sure to check the official website of Texas State University if you have any lingering questions.


1. Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

For every scholarship, there are two types. One is a competitive scholarship, and the other type is an automatic scholarship. Automatic scholarships do not require a separate application (except the admissions application), but the competitive scholarships do require a separate application.


A. National Distinction Scholarship

To be considered for this automatic scholarship, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program
  • Choose Texas State University as Your First College Choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Scholarship Value: $10,000 per Year for Four Years

Since this scholarship is renewable, the scholarship recipient must meet the renewal criteria at the end of each year to renew his scholarship. Even though the scholarship values are different, there is an additional scholarship that is offered to National Hispanic Scholar.

If you are one, make sure to visit the link down below for information concerning National Hispanic Scholarship.

For further details, visit the National Distinction Scholarship.


B. Texas State University’s Merit Scholarship

Also, there is a difference between scholarship money for Texas Residents and Non-Residents of Texas. Since Texas State University offers lower tuition rates to in-state students, it also offers low scholarship value to in-state students.

On the other hand, the Non-Residents receive a high amount of scholarship since they need to pay more tuition, so don’t get too excited when they are offering large amount to Non-Residents since you need to pay more!

Merit-based scholarships offered by Texas State University are divided into three types. Based on your academic merit, the Texas State University awards the applicant with scholarship money; however, the scholarship value changes based on your academic achievements.

To be eligible for the President’s Honor Scholarship, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Scored at least 1420 on SAT OR 32 on the ACT
  • Be in the Top 25% of the High School Graduating Class*

Scholarship Value: $6,500 ~ $9,500 per year

*You can either get IB Diploma or AP Capstone Diploma instead of fulfilling the rank requirement

To be eligible for the Texas State Achievement Scholarship, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Scored at least 1260 on SAT OR 27 on the ACT
  • Be in the Top 25% of the High School Graduating Class*

Scholarship Value: $2,500 ~ $5,500 per year

*OR IB Diploma OR AP Capstone Diploma

To be considered for Texas State Distinguished Scholarship, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Scored at least 1160 on SAT OR 24 on the ACT
  • Ranked in the Top 25% of the High School Graduating Class*

Scholarship Value: $1,500 ~ $2,500 per year

*Same thing applies to this scholarship as the previous ones

As you have seen above, the values of the scholarships change as the academic requirements get lower and lower, so make sure to keep high academic standards in school and in your standardized test scores.

For more information, view Texas State University Automatic Scholarships.


Texas State University’s Competitive Scholarships

In addition to your admissions application, the consideration for competitive scholarships is given to applicants who fill out the scholarship application for Texas State University. In this section, you will see high-value scholarships that will pay all of your fees for attending Texas State University.


A. Terry Foundation Scholarships

This full-ride scholarship is designated for a specific group of students. In order to be considered, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

  • Show Outstanding Academic Achievements
  • Have Previous Leadership Experience
  • Demonstrate Financial Need*
  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Be a Resident of Texas
  • Have Graduated from an Accredited Texas High School or Homeschool
  • Be Admitted to Texas State University
  • Must Live in Campus for the First Scholarship Year

Scholarship Value: Full Tuition + Room & Board for Four Years

As you can see above, the full-ride scholarship has many requirements that are entailed, so, if you are still interested, please visit the scholarship application process for Terry Foundation.

For further information, visit Texas State University’s Terry Foundation Scholarships.


B. McCoy Scholarship of Excellence

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Intending to be a Business Major
  • Meet One of the Following:
    • Be a National Merit Finalist, Semifinalist, or Commended
    • Valedictorian or Salutatorian in High School Class
    • Ranked 5% of High School Graduating Class

Scholarship Value: $5,000 ~ $8,000 per year

Compared to Terry Foundation Scholarships, the scholarship amount is a low value, so if you can’t make it to Terry Foundation, this scholarship option is not a bad idea.


C. Ingram Engineering Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Intending to Major in Electrical, Industrial, OR Manufacturing Engineering
  • Be a US Citizen
  • Ranked in the Top 15% in the High School Graduating Class
  • Scored at least 1200 on SAT OR 27 on the ACT*

Scholarship Value: $8,000 per year

*In addition to academic achievements, the Texas State University gives special priority to students with demonstrated financial need (FAFSA)

For further information, visit Texas State University Competitive Scholarships.


2. Scholarships for Transfers

There are a few scholarships that are listed for transfer students, but, to be eligible for all available scholarships and grants, make sure to use the Texas State University’s Scholarship Engine down in the Conclusion.


A. Terry Foundation Transfer Scholarships

Instead of awarding full-ride scholarships, the Terry Foundation only awards partial tuition for transfer students of Texas State University. To be considered for this scholarship, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Be a Resident of Texas for at least 3 years
  • Be Admitted to Texas State University as a Non-Freshman Transfer
  • Show Academic Achievements and Leadership Skills
  • Have Demonstrated Financial Need (FAFSA)
  • Transfer at least 30 College Credits

Scholarship Value: $15,000 per year*

*Covers over 50% of Annual Cost

To see the specific details concerning this scholarship, make sure to visit the link provided down below. Also, there are more scholarships for transfer students, but they have significantly low values in the $1,000 range.

For more information, view Competitive Scholarships for Transfer Students.


3. Scholarships for Current Students

For students who are attending Texas State University, there is no list of scholarships for you since Texas State University just wants you to apply for their scholarship engine.

After filing your scholarship application, the current students will be considered for any available scholarships. Make sure to apply before the application deadline in order to get your scholarship!

For further information, visit Texas State University Continuing Scholarships.


4. Scholarships for Graduate Students

For college graduates who are interested in pursuing higher education, the graduate schools of Texas State University offers scholarships for prospective students. In addition to prospective students, there are scholarships available for current graduate students as well.

For more information, view Graduate Scholarships & Fellowships.


5. Departmental Scholarships

Available to all types of students, these scholarships are offered by different departments and assorted colleges that comprise Texas State University. If you are interested in any field for an undergraduate degree, make sure to visit the department and see the available scholarships.

For further information, visit Texas State University College & Departmental Scholarships.


6. External Scholarships

There are assortments of scholarship options available to students today, and Texas State University doesn’t provide links to those sites since you can easily find them through your scholarship search.

If you have received any outside scholarships, the Texas State University lists some steps to make sure that their financial aid office knows of your external scholarship.

When applying for external scholarships, make sure to avoid potential scams by keeping this simple step: Avoid sites that ask for money! Since you can’t be guaranteed a scholarship, please do not use sites that ask for money in return for a scholarship.

For more information, visit Receiving Outside Scholarships.


More Options of Financial Aid

There are additional options for financial aid that applicants can sign up for if they are still in need of money. Some options do not require a payback, but some do. Make sure that you are making the right application, and please check the guidelines and requirements of each option to avoid a penalty.


A. Grants

Like scholarships, grants do not need to be repaid, and this option is only available to US Citizen or Permanent Resident. Funded by the federal government and the state, the grants are need-based, which require the applicant to file FAFSA.

Since the funding for grants is limited, the applicants are encouraged to file FAFSA as early as possible since it is given as first-come, first-serve. Some grants require students to serve or teach for a certain period of time in return for the scholarship money.

In that case, the scholarship recipient must serve his required period of time; however, the grant turns into a loan (which needs to be payback) if the scholarship recipient fails to fulfill the service requirement.

For further information, view Texas State University’s Grants for Undergraduates.


B. Work Study

For students who want an additional income, the work-study opportunity might not be a bad idea. Work study involves a part-time work shift while studying as a full-time undergraduate. Texas State University offers work-study positions in their various departments and college, and the positions are also limited!

For more information, visit Texas State University’s Undergraduate Work-Study.


C. Loans

Funded by the federal government and also by private organizations, loans are money that needs to be paid back. Make sure that you have exhausted all of your financial aid options before applying for a loan.

Some loans have an interest, but some loans do not have an interest attached to them. Make sure you apply for the loan that fits your best interest. Also, many people have bad credits due to their misunderstanding of certain loan guidelines, so make sure to read all requirements of your loan!

For further information, view Texas State University’s Undergraduate Loans.


Conclusion: Scholarship Engine

Recently made by Texas State University, the Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) makes your life way easier by allowing the applicant to apply for many scholarships only using one scholarship application. Instead of applying separately for each scholarship that you are interested in, you just have to select to ones and fill out just one scholarship application.

However, Texas State University did not get every scholarship inside the scholarship engine, but it is in the process of adding more and more. To check out the scholarship engine and the scholarships that are included in it, please click on the link down below!

For further information, visit Texas State University BOSS.

Before we end, please visit Authority Scholarships if you have found this scholarship guide to be helpful.