Navigating the Texas A&M Regents' Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities

For first-generation college students aspiring to achieve their educational goals at Texas A&M University and A&M-San Antonio, the Regents' Scholarship presents a significant opportunity. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Regents' Scholarship, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and program requirements.

Understanding Scholarship Opportunities at A&M-San Antonio

A&M-San Antonio recognizes the importance of a quality education and is dedicated to helping students achieve their higher education goals. In addition to institutional scholarships, the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships manages private scholarships. To maximize consideration, students must be knowledgeable of the specific requirements and deadlines associated with all scholarships awarded.

Key Deadlines

General Scholarship Priority Deadline: January 15 (Fall), October 1 (Spring)
General Scholarship Deadline: June 30 (Fall), November 1 (Spring)

Basic Eligibility Criteria at A&M-San Antonio

To be eligible for scholarships at A&M-San Antonio, students must meet the following requirements:

Be admitted to A&M-San Antonio.
Be a degree-seeking student.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for need-based scholarships at www.fafsa.gov. (International students are not eligible to apply for the FAFSA).
Have submitted all paperwork requested from the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships for need-based scholarships.

Application Process at A&M-San Antonio

Students can apply for a variety of institutional scholarships through the A&M-San Antonio General Scholarship Application. One general application is applicable for a variety of scholarship opportunities. To submit the general application, a student must create an account with the online Scholarship Manager system and complete the online application. Supporting documents such as a letter of recommendation may be required. Students should visit www.tamusa.edu/scholarships/ for a complete list of scholarships available and scholarship criteria.

Important Scholarship Information for A&M-San Antonio Applicants

The General Scholarship Application is valid for an entire academic year. An application submitted during the fall would also be valid for spring awarding.
Applicants will be considered for all the scholarships in which they meet the criteria.
Meeting the application requirements and scholarship criteria does not guarantee a scholarship award. Awards are determined by the availability of funds and committee review.
Spelling, grammar, mechanics, and the overall completeness of the application will be considered during the selection process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Federal regulations require that all financial resources are considered when determining each student’s eligibility for financial aid. Receipt of a scholarship may result in an adjustment to financial aid awards and may reduce student loans or other tuition grants.

Undergraduate Scholarships at A&M-San Antonio

Scholarships & Financial Aid offers academic scholarships for freshman, transfer, and continuing students. Your grades are only one of many considerations in the review process. Additional factors for selection include, but are not limited to your leadership, community service, special talents, first-generation college status, and academic achievement under difficult circumstances. Students should also submit an aid application to be considered for scholarships that require financial need. For more information about your scholarship policy, visit our Scholarship Policy page. NOTE: Some University administered scholarships may have additional requirements/deadlines.

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Regents' Scholarship Program at Texas A&M University: An In-Depth Look

First awarded in Fall 2004, the Regents' Scholarship is designed to assist first-generation college students in achieving their educational goals at Texas A&M University.

Award Amounts

Students entering fall of 2020 or later can receive up to $6,000 per year for up to four years. Students who entered Fall 2019 or earlier received up to $5,000 per year for up to four years. This program is limited to approximately 850 students each year. These scholarships are offered on a first-come first-served basis as students have completed their financial aid application, turned in all requested documentation and our office has verified eligibility. The Routh First-Generation Center serves as the programmatic coordinator for all academic success programs across campus. Student Financial Aid awards the Regents' Scholarship.

Initial Eligibility for Texas A&M University

To be considered for the Regents’ Scholarship at Texas A&M University, you must:

Be considered a Texas resident.
Be admitted as a freshman to Texas A&M University College Station, including the McAllen Higher Education Center, Engineering Academy at Blinn Bryan or Engineering Academy at Galveston.
Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree).
Come from a family with a total income of less than $50,000 per year as verified through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA).
Live on campus the entire first year, unless a special circumstance housing appeal is approved. Required for students at the College Station and Galveston campuses only.

Program Requirements for Continued Eligibility at Texas A&M University

Once you have been awarded the Regents’ Scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements each academic year to continue to receive the award:

Satisfy the participation requirements of the Regents’ Scholarship Program through the Office for Student Success.
Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA). You must submit the FAFSA or TASFA each year to verify your eligibility.
Enroll full-time. Eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Meet Texas A&M's SAP standards each semester.
Meet the 30/60/90 hour rule. You are required to have earned 30 hours by the end of your first academic year, 60 hours by the end of your second academic year, and 90 hours by the end of your third academic year. An academic year includes the fall, spring, and summer terms. Hours earned via transfer credit, dual credit, and AP/IB testing can be used to meet the 30/60/90 rule.

You must satisfy every requirement, regardless of the amount awarded. For more information, see the Regents' Scholars Program FAQ below and in the Scholarship Handbook.

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Duration of the Scholarship

The scholarship is a four-year award as long as all requirements are met, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), meeting the 30/60/90 hour rule each academic year, continuing full-time enrollment, and completing the Regents’ Scholarship Program requirements.

Application Process for Texas A&M University

You should complete your FAFSA or TASFA as soon as possible, or by February 15 at the latest to ensure it will be processed by Texas A&M in time for the February 15 priority deadline. To determine if you might be eligible to receive one of these scholarships, please see the FAQ below. Note: This program is limited to approximately 850 students each year.

Regents’ Scholars Orientation and Spring Bash

Each fall, first year scholars participate in the Regents’ Scholars Orientation during the first week of classes. You will have the opportunity to learn information on scholarship requirements, financial aid management, academic life, and student life. Fall 2025 Orientation for incoming first-year scholars is on August 28th, 2025. Scholars will attend the spring bash at the end of their first year during where we celebrate students completing their first year at Texas A&M, and have the opportunity to network with other students and campus partners.

Success Programs

Success programs provide first year students the best academic start for college and provide skills and knowledge to excel in their academic, professional, and personal lives. Programs typically have designated courses, out of classroom learning experiences, social and service activities, and peer or faculty mentors. For more information click here.

The Impact of the Regents' Scholarship: Success Stories

Sydney Van Wyk ’13 and Ana Davila ’15, both first-generation college students, exemplify the transformative impact of the Regents' Scholarship. As the first in their families to attend college, they encountered challenges navigating the complexities of higher education. However, thanks to endowed Regents’ Scholarships funded by the Hygeia Foundation, they earned bachelor’s degrees in agriculture leadership and communication/Spanish, respectively.

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Both Van Wyk and Davila credit their educational achievement to guidance provided by the Regents’ Scholarship Program staff and academic success programs. They now serve as program coordinators, using their experiences as first-generation students to support current Regents’ Scholars. They are actively identifying ways to improve services offered to scholarship recipients, such as coordinating an idea swap for leaders of various Regents’ Scholar academic success programs to share best practices.

“The intentional programming and mentoring of the Regents’ Scholars program helped develop these two women into the type of people that the Scholarships & Financial Aid needed to run the programs,” said former Regents’ Scholar Coordinator Suzanne Sealey ’06.

A Note on the Regents Scholars Program (Prior to Fall 2020)

Disclaimer: Beginning Fall 2020, no additional students will be accepted into the Regents Scholars Program. Through Fall 2019, the Regents Scholars Program accepted 20-30 incoming freshman each fall and provided a competitive scholarship to off-set tuition, fees, room and board. Students were selected from the Honors College application and interview process. The program encouraged students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field while working to develop a greater sense of self awareness and international trends and issues. A focused curriculum culminated in a junior-year study abroad course. In addition, RSP provided scholars with leadership training and experiences which encouraged them to think of themselves as change agents- both on campus and in their future profession. The Regents Scholars Program was intended for incoming freshmen in the Fall directly following their high school graduation. Students must live in Phase II their first 2 years with the option of living in Prairie Crossing or off campus their last 2 years. Students are required to take 5 Regents courses, as well as attend the trip to Western Europe during a summer. Living on campus is an important part of the college experience. As an on-campus resident, you will have the opportunity to live in a community, get involved in residence halls and campus events, have access to trained residence life staff members for advice, make lasting friendships, and have easier access to classes and extracurricular activities.

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