Presidential Merit Scholarships

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

2026-2027 table, per year, by unweighted GPA (4.0-3.96 / 3.95-3.86 / 3.85-3.76 / 3.75-3.66 / 3.65-3.5 / 3.49-3.0): 1500-1600 SAT or 34-36 ACT $9,000/$8,000/$7,000/$5,500/$5,000/$4,000; 1400-1490 or 31-33 $8,000/$7,000/$6,000/$4,500/$4,000/$3,000; 1300-1390 or 28-30 $6,500/$5,500/$4,500/$3,000/$2,500/$1,500; 1200-1290 or 25-27 $6,000/$5,000/$4,000/$2,500/$2,000/$1,000; 1100-1190 or 22-24 $5,000/$4,000/$3,000/$1,500/$1,000/$1,000. Test optional row: $4,000/$3,000/$2,000/$1,500/$1,000 for the first five GPA bands. Page notes add $1,000 if top 10%.

Deadline

Priority scholarship date December 1. Merit awards guaranteed to freshmen admitted by April 1 for fall. Upgrade requests by April 1.

How to apply

Automatic with admission (ApplyTexas or Common App). No additional application.

What you'll need

• No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission

Who can apply

First-time freshmen. Unweighted high school GPA. SAT/ACT superscores used. Test-optional designation is chosen on the application and cannot be changed after the decision.

Good to know

Table is for 2026-2027; fall 2027 not yet posted. Non-residents awarded a Presidential Scholarship also qualify to pay in-state tuition. Renewal GPA 3.0 to 3.5 depending on award.

Details

Score minimumTest optional