Scholarships Available for Texas Graduates With High TAKS Scores

Students in Texas must pass the STAAR tests to graduate, as of 2012.

As of spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test, according to the Texas Education Agency. High school TAKS will be replaced with 12 end-of-course assessments in the following areas; algebra I, algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, world geography, world history and U.S. history. Texas high school graduates with high STAAR scores may be eligible for several scholarships.

North Central Texas College

As of spring 2012, Texas high school seniors with high STAAR scores are eligible to apply for the North Central Texas College foundation dual credit scholarship to underprivileged Texas high school students. Applicants must be residents of Cooke, Denton, Grayson, Love or surrounding counties. Scholarship award is $105 for in-district students and $246 for out-of-district students per semester, the cost of one, three-credit hour course. Students must reapply each semester.

University of Texas at Austin

Texas high school graduates that are in the top 15 percent of their class, as of 2012 and indicated by their STAAR scores, are eligible for the Neighborhood Longhorn Program at the University of Texas at Austin. To be eligible for the $100 scholarship, students must demonstrate that they have improved their overall reading level from grade to grade; improved overall grade averages; maintained excellent attendance; and maintained 85 percent grade level in each class.

University of Texas at San Antonio

Texas high school graduates with high STAAR scores may be eligible for a Terry Scholarship from the University of Texas at San Antonio for tuition, fees, books and living expenses. Applicants must demonstrate leadership abilities; be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.; must apply for admission to the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Greehay Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Texas high school students who graduate in the top 25 percent of their graduating class as evidenced by their STAAR scores may apply for the Greehay Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio. The award is for up to five, four-year awards of $2,500 per year, as of 2012. Applicants must be entry-level freshmen, a permanent resident of the U.S. and have graduated from in designated counties in South Texas.

Presidential Honors Scholarship

Students who graduate in the top 20 percent of their class, as evidenced by their STAAR scores, may apply for the Presidential Honors Scholarship to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio full time. As of 2012, the award is $2,500 annually and is renewable.

Peter T. Flawn Presidential Honors Scholarship

Texas high school students in the top 10 percent of their class, according to their STAAR scores, may apply for the Peter T. Flawn Presidential Honors Scholarship. Applicants must be an incoming freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio and must be pursuing a major in the College of Engineering or College of Sciences and must be enrolled full time.

Texas Education Agency

Those whose STAAR scores show they graduated in the top 10 percent of their class from an accredited public or private Texas high school are automatically eligible to attend any public Texas University. The Texas high school student with the highest overall STAAR score at each Texas public high school may be eligible to receive a certificate from the Texas Education Agency that can be used as a scholarship to cover tuition at any Texas public college or university.

References

• Texas Education Agency: Assessment Results
• Texas Education Agency: Overview of the Academic Excellence Indicator
• North Central Texas College: NCTC Dual Credit Program
• The University of Texas at Austin: Neighborhood Longhorns Program
• The University of Texas at San Antonio: Honors Scholarships
• Texan Regional Collaborative: Texas Public College & University Scholarships
• Association of Texas Professional Educators: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test
• Texas Education Agency: STAAR Resources

Resources

• Great Schools: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Results
• Scholarships.com: Texas Scholarships
• Texas State University: Competitive Scholarships