Texas State Presidential Scholars Program

The Texas State Presidential Scholars Program offers a prestigious substantial scholarship, renewable up to four years for incoming freshmen who are Texas residents and ranked top 5% of their graduating class. Three scholars per college will be selected. Apply through BOSS by December 15.

Scholarship Overview

The Texas State Presidential Scholars Program offers a four-year competitive scholarship to incoming freshmen (three scholars per college) who are from Texas and are ranked top 5% of their graduating class that includes:

YEAR 1: Full-ride, last-dollar competitive scholarship, that includes:

  • Total Value Year 1: $30,880 (100% of cost of attendance)
  • Full Tuition and Fees: First-year approximate value, $12,240 – based on 15 hours per semester. 
  • Housing and Meals: On-campus residence hall housing for the first year and Bobcat Unlimited meal plan covered in the first year. 
  • In Year 1, this scholarship will cover 100% of the cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (COA) is an average of your annual educational expenses, which includes average tuition and fee costs, book allowance, housing and food, transportation and personal/miscellaneous expenses. 
  • All gift-aid (internal or external scholarships, and any federal or state grant) will apply first toward the cost of attendance. This scholarship then covers any remaining cost/gap up to the full cost of attendance, $30,880 for the 2026-2027 academic year  

Year 2, 3, 4: Competitive scholarship, that includes:

  • Total Value Year 2,3 &4: $37,500 (over 3 years)
  • $12,500 Annual Award (fall/spring)
  • $6,250 awarded for up to 6 additional continuous undergraduate fall/spring semesters (based on meeting renewal requirements)

Additional Benefits:

  • $1,000 Undergraduate Research Stipend (one-time)
  • $2,500 - $4,200 program cost of a Global Study Abroad Summer Hub trip (one-time)
     
Expand FAQ List

  • Minimum test scores on one of these exams:

    • College Board (SAT): 1400 or higher, or
    • American College Test (ACT): 30 or higher

    Class Rank: Must be ranked in the top 5% of high school senior class at the time of application

    • Homeschool students are eligible to apply 
    • Test-Optional Candidates: Considered, but meeting score requirements strengthens your application

    Must be a Texas Resident

    Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident

    First-time freshmen attending either San Marcos or Round Rock campus (online students not eligible to apply) 
     

  • 24 Presidential Scholars will be chosen for Fall 2027

    The top scholars will be selected from each of the academic colleges:

    • Applied Arts
    • McCoy College of Business
    • Education
    • Fine Arts and Communication
    • Health Professions
    • Liberal Arts
    • Science and Engineering

  • To be considered for the Presidential Scholars Program, applicants must: 

    Complete application for admission to Texas State

    1. Complete Texas State scholarship applications via BOSS:
    • General Application
    • Texas State Freshman Scholarship Application
    • TXST Presidential Scholars Program Application
    1. Submit all applications and documents and complete all applicable Texas State Admission Steps by December 15

    Additional requirements in the TXST Presidential Scholars Program Application

    1. Submit Essay (Word Count: 500–750 words)

    Essay Question: Write an essay that demonstrates your leadership qualities or highlights a unique experience or perspective that has shaped who you are today. 

    Your essay should:

    • Tell a personal story (not just a list of achievements)
    • Show impact—how your actions influenced others or your community
    • Reflect on growth—what you learned and how it connects to your future goals
    1. Upload resume 
    2. Submit Letter of Recommendation 

    This will be required 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).

    • Scholarships (including outside scholarships) count toward financial need and are included in your financial aid package.
    • Total aid cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes tuition, fees, housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses.
    • Awards may be adjusted based on your overall financial aid package and your total cost of attendance each semester.
    • Students are required to report all outside/external scholarships, other financial assistance, and/or additional resources online via Financial Aid Self-Service under the Offer tab as soon as possible to prevent financial aid displacement.

  • The Presidential Scholars Program scholarships are renewed annually for up to three additional years or 6 semesters if you:

    • Maintain a minimum cumulative institutional GPA of 3.25 (Texas State courses only)
    • Complete 28 passing Texas State hours/year (fall/spring)
    • Undergraduate status
    • Currently enrolled and have not earned a bachelor's degree

  • Notes

    • The competitive Texas State Presidential Scholars Program can be stacked and combined with Admission Scholarships (Freshman Assured Scholarship or Texas State Merit Scholarship which are automatically awarded to incoming freshmen based on the credentials submitted with the admission application).
    • The annual enrollment renewal requirement (28 Texas State hours) considers all completed credit hours with passing grades, regardless if they count toward your degree or if they are repeat courses. Completed hours excludes Advance Placement courses and CLEP tests. 
    • Summer courses at TXST can count toward enrollment requirements but are not funded by the scholarship. Completing enrollment requirements during the fall and spring is strongly recommended.
    • SAT and ACT scores requirements based on composite scores from single testing (no super-score).
    • Students receiving their last year of funding may qualify as an exception to the full-time enrollment requirement.
    • An appeal process will be available if not meeting renewal requirements. The appeal must demonstrate a documented extenuating circumstance. Appeal instructions will be emailed to students after the spring grades are posted in May.
    • Students enrolled in an Accelerated Online Degree Programs (AOP), other online programs, or students admitted through the TXST-LSCO Gateway Program or the TXST Local Co-Enrollment program are not eligible to apply this scholarship.