The Terry Foundation® Scholarship was initiated at Texas State University in 2004. Since then, the total number of Terry Scholars supported at our institution has grown to over 300 students with over $19 million awarded in scholarships since inception. Current Terry Scholars are also active participants in the Honors College at Texas State, as well as the Terry Scholars Student Organization.
Terry Foundation®
About the Foundation
The Terry Foundation® is one of the largest providers of private scholarships awarded in the state of Texas. Founded in 1987 by philanthropists Howard and Nancy Terry, the Houston-based foundation has supported thousands of Texas students in their pursuit of higher education. The goal of the Foundation is to assist Texas high school students who have excelled in the areas of academics, service and leadership, and provide these students with the means to attend college when other funding might not be attainable.
Eligibility Criteria
For incoming freshmen, the Terry Foundation® provides up-to-full ride scholarships that are renewable for up to four years to Texas high school students. These students are selected from a highly competitive pool of incoming freshmen who have excelled in academics, demonstrated leadership and have financial need.
To be considered for the Terry Foundation® Scholarship, applicants must demonstrate the following:
- Academic Achievement
Applicants must demonstrate strong academic abilities, as evidenced by grades, rigor and class rank. (SAT and ACT test scores are not required for the incoming summer and fall 2025 class.) - Demonstrated Leadership
Applicants must have a record of leadership in school and in the community. - Financial Need
Applicants must demonstrate financial need, as evidenced by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) as early as October. - Citizenship and Residency
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident and meet Texas Residency requirements sufficient to qualify for in-state tuition and for federal financial aid assistance. - High School Graduate
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited Texas high school or homeschool. Applicants who have taken a gap year immediately following their graduation from high school are not eligible for consideration. - College Admission
Applicants must have been granted admission to Texas State University for the summer or fall immediately following the application deadline. They must be admitted as a full-time entering freshman, for the purpose of completing a first baccalaureate degree. - On-Campus Residency
Terry Scholars must live on campus within the Cibolo Hall during the first year of the scholarship as part of the Terry Scholars Learning Community
How to Apply (Incoming Freshman)
You must first submit your application for admission to Texas State. To apply for freshman competitive scholarships, you must complete and submit a Texas State scholarship application via the Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) no later than December 15, prior to your first summer/fall semester.
If your competitive freshman scholarship application meets initial eligibility criteria for the Terry Foundation® Scholarship, you will be able to apply for it in BOSS once it is listed under your Recommended scholarships under the Opportunities tab. Please request a letter of recommendation from a representative of your high school (preference is from a teacher but may also be from a counselor or administrator). If you are home-schooled, letters from community members who can attest to your achievements will be acceptable (letters from parents will not be accepted or considered).
Application Checklist:
- Complete application for admission to Texas State
- Complete Texas State scholarship applications via BOSS
- General Application
- Texas State Freshman Scholarship Application
- Terry Foundation® Scholarship Application
- Submit all applications and documents and complete all applicable Texas State Admission Steps by December 15
If you are selected as a potential Terry candidate, you will be contacted by the Foundation to participate in a personal interview. The Terry Foundation® selects the recipients of the scholarship at the conclusion of the interview process.