Unveiling the University of Texas at Austin Presidential Scholarship: Requirements and Benefits

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) stands out as a premier institution, not just for its educational excellence but also for its commitment to making education accessible through a variety of scholarship programs. Among these, the University Endowed Presidential Scholarship (UEPS) holds a place of prominence, alongside other notable scholarships and financial aid opportunities. This article delves into the specifics of the UEPS, its requirements, benefits, and other scholarship opportunities available at UT Austin.

University Endowed Presidential Scholarship (UEPS)

The University Endowed Presidential Scholarship (UEPS) program, established in 1973, aims to support outstanding junior and senior students at UT Austin. For the 2024-25 academic year, over 250 awards are expected to be granted.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered for most UEPS awards, applicants typically need to meet the following criteria:

Must be a junior or senior by Fall 2024.
Maintain a GPA of at least 3.75.
Have completed a minimum of 45 hours in residence at UT Austin.

However, it's important to note that some awards may not have these specific requirements, broadening the range of students who can qualify.

Application Process

The UEPS application is available in LASSO (Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarships Opportunities). Current students in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) are encouraged to submit the CNS Common Scholarship application each spring to be considered for specific awards.

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

An additional benefit for non-resident students is the opportunity to apply for Out-of-State Tuition Waivers, which allow them to pay tuition at in-state rates. To be eligible for a waiver through CNS, students must be recipients of a scholarship worth at least $1,000 administered and awarded by the university. However, receiving a scholarship does not guarantee a waiver; eligible students must complete the waiver application, and the scholarship committee will rank applications based on merit. CNS waivers are awarded on a semester-to-semester basis, with the intention of awarding them for the entire academic year. These waivers are non-renewable, necessitating a yearly application. Current CNS students interested in a waiver should complete the Focused Essay titled "Out-of-State Tuition Waiver" within the CNS Common Scholarship Application by the March 15 deadline.

Additional Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities

The College of Natural Sciences provides resources for students seeking nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. Many of these require a campus nomination or endorsement. Here are some notable opportunities:

The Astronaut Scholarship: Targets outstanding students in engineering, mathematics, and natural or applied sciences who demonstrate initiative, creativity, and excellence. It supports rising juniors and seniors intending to pursue research or advance their field. Pre-medical students actively pursuing an M.D. are also eligible.
Churchill Scholarship: Offers U.S. citizens of exceptional academic talent the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics, or sciences at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College. The scholarship covers all tuition and fees and provides generous travel and living allowances. UT Austin selects nominees via a campus committee.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Aims to foster international cooperation in education, research, and cultural exchange. It supports a student’s work abroad for one academic year in various disciplines, including sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants are also available.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships: Awarded to outstanding students from outside the UK to study at the University of Cambridge. These highly competitive, full-cost awards support graduate study and research in any subject.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship: Provides $7,500 per year for educational expenses to rising juniors and seniors with outstanding potential who intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. CNS uses a preliminary application process to determine its nominees.
Marshall Scholarship: Supports U.S. citizens of high ability for one or two years of graduate study in any discipline at a college or university in the United Kingdom. The award covers educational costs, living expenses, and travel support.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP): Supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Fellowships provide a three-year annual stipend of $37,000, a $12,000 education allowance, and professional development opportunities.
Rhodes Scholarship: Brings outstanding students from around the world to the University of Oxford for one or two years of study, covering all tuition and fees and providing a living allowance.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship: A $30,000 merit-based scholarship for college juniors preparing for careers in government, the non-profit sector, or public service at a leadership level. Scholars must work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation-funded graduate degree program.
Udall Scholarship: Awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or the environment. The scholarship is worth up to $7,000.
University Co-op/George. H. Mitchell Awards: Recognize up to five undergraduate students for superior scholarly or creative achievement, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $7,000.

Additional UT Austin Scholarship Opportunities

UT Austin offers a plethora of scholarship opportunities catering to a diverse range of students. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden of college and reward academic excellence, leadership skills, and financial need.

Terry Foundation Scholarship

The Terry Foundation Scholarship is a four-year scholarship offered to Texas residents attending UT Austin and other universities in the state. Candidates are selected from a competitive pool of incoming freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, and scholastic ability. Financial need and family income are also considered. To maintain the scholarship, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Eligibility Criteria:

Strong academic abilities (based on grades and SAT/ACT scores).
Demonstrated leadership in school and community.
Financial need (determined by FAFSA).
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
Texas residency and eligibility for in-state tuition.
Eligibility for federal financial aid assistance.
Graduation from an accredited Texas high school or homeschool.
Admission to a Terry-affiliated college or university as a full-time entering freshman.

The application process involves answering Terry Foundation Scholarship-specific questions on the scholarship interest form, which is due one week after the admissions deadline.

Dell Scholars Program

The Dell Scholars Program is a unique initiative that provides comprehensive support to students with the highest financial need. Dell Scholars at UT Austin receive a $20,000 scholarship that can be applied towards their cost of attendance, including UT Austin tuition.

Key Features:

Financial assistance of $20,000.
Individualized support to navigate academic challenges.
Financial literacy resources.
Personal support to manage circumstances affecting college experience.
Peer advising.
On-track graduation planning.
Access to the UT for Me Resource Network.

Eligibility for the Dell Scholars Program is tied to Pell Grant eligibility and demonstrated financial need.

Other Notable Scholarships

UT Austin offers numerous other scholarships with varying criteria and award amounts. Some examples include:

Sean N. Transition Scholarship: Awards $1000 per year to up to two current UT students with a commitment to improving university spirit and campus involvement, a minimum GPA of 2.7, and completion of four long semesters. Preference is given to members of the Longhorn Hellraisers or engineering majors.
Texas Parents Scholarship: Awards $1000 annually to up to five students who demonstrate a commitment to improving university spirit and campus involvement, have completed four long semesters, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and are in good disciplinary standing.
Johanna Schmitz Nelson, George Estill Martin, Amanda Schmitz Martin, Edna Martin Cannon and Ruth Maurine Martin Scholarship Fund: A $2500/year scholarship for high school graduates from Corpus Christi and Austin. It is renewable and requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 to renew.
Ronald M. and Marilou D. Brown Scholarship: Offers variable awards ranging from $500 to $2000 for children of current, retired, or deceased full-time faculty or staff members of UT Austin.
Unrestricted Endowed Presidential Scholarship: A $6000 renewable scholarship that gives first preference to those whose parent or stepparent is currently or formerly incarcerated in the state of Texas.
William Edward Schuessler Scholarship: Offers awards ranging from $250 to $1500 for students who are disabled or non-disabled and are studying to work with individuals who are disabled, particularly children with disabilities.
Eagle Scout Scholarship: Provides awards ranging from $500 to $1500 for students who have earned the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Award or Venturing Silver Award.
Bilingual Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students who are bilingual in Bisayan, Cantonese Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Thai, and/or Vietnamese.
World War I Descendants Scholarship: Offers awards ranging from $500 to $1500 for blood descendants of individuals who served in World War I.
Carole L. Gerner Endowed Presidential Scholarship: Offers awards ranging from $250 to $2500 for physically disabled students, with preference given to mobility-impaired students.

Scholarships for International Students

UT Austin offers several scholarships specifically designed for international students, including:

Society of Iranian-American Women for Education Scholarship.
Iimura Peace Endowed Scholarship ($5,000 award for the fall term).
Khalid Alhilali Memorial Scholar.

Financial Aid and Music Scholarships

The Butler School of Music at UT Austin provides numerous merit-based scholarship awards, fellowships, and teaching assistantships to both incoming and current students. All students admitted to the Butler School of Music are automatically considered for these awards, and there are no separate or additional applications required.

Merit-Based Music Scholarships

Undergraduate: Decisions are based on students' audition results and the recommendation of each faculty division.
Graduate: Decisions are based on students' credentials and the recommendation of each faculty division.

Scholarships are awarded by the Student Awards Committee in early March, and recipients are notified shortly thereafter by the Butler School of Music Scholarship Coordinator.

Teaching Assistantships

All admitted graduate students are automatically considered for teaching assistantships. Assistantship decisions are made by the relevant faculty based on divisional need and availability after all auditions have been completed. Recipients are notified in mid-March.

Categories: Teaching Assistantships are available in Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Collaborative Arts, Chamber Music, Conducting/Ensembles, Jazz, Keyboard, Music & Human Learning, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Strings, Theory, Composition, and Vocal Arts.

Stipends: Teaching Assistant (TA) or Assistant Instructor (AI) salaries range from $5,088 per year for a 12.5% (5 hours per week) TA appointment to $22,496 per year for a 50% (20 hours per week) AI appointment. The most typical appointment is a 50% (20 hour) TA with a stipend of $20,352 per year ($2,261 per month for the 9-month academic year).

Tuition Reduction Benefit (TRB): TAs and AIs who are appointed 10 hours (25% time) or more per week during the 2024-25 academic year will receive tuition reduction benefits (TRB).

Tuition Reduction Benefit Supplement: For the 2024-25 academic year, the university will also apply a TRB supplement for TA and AI appointments to tuition.

Requirements for TA/AI Appointments

Incoming Students:
- Be admitted with no conditions imposed by Graduate School.
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Register for at least nine semester hours that count toward degree.
- International students must have English language certification and attend international TA/AI orientation.
Continuing Students:
- Meet the above requirements.
- Make satisfactory progress toward an advanced degree.
- Have no more than two grades of X (temporary incomplete) or one grade of X and one grade of I (permanent incomplete).
- Have held no more than 14 long-session semesters of employment as a TA/AI alone or in combination.

Student Scholarship Award Guidelines

Minimum Scholastic Requirements:
- Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
- Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
Enrollment Requirements:
- Undergraduate scholarship winners must enroll in a minimum of 12 semester hours of course work per semester.
- Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of nine semester hours of course work per semester.
Scholarship Renewals: Renewals are based on students' making satisfactory progress, maintaining minimum grade criteria, and meeting all other minimum scholastic requirements.

Additional Financial Aid Information

Students needing financial assistance are eligible for federal financial aid and may be eligible for private or alternative education loans. It is recommended to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) each year by March 15 to maximize available aid.

General Financial Aid Information

UT Austin offers an outstanding education at a reasonable cost, considered one of the best values in the world. Aside from scholarships, students can explore other financial aid options, including grants, work-study opportunities, and loans.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance includes housing, tuition and fees, and other educational expenses. All scholarships, including external awards, count toward the COA, and other aid may be adjusted to account for these resources. Federal and state requirements do not allow a student’s financial aid to exceed the COA or financial need.

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