Paying for college in Austin is not getting any easier. Tuition at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, and other Central Texas institutions continues to rise each year, and many undergraduate students find themselves caught between ambition and affordability. If you are currently enrolled or planning to start a degree in the Austin area, the good news is that there is real funding available right now, and a lot of it does not require you to pay it back.
The scholarships listed below are actively accepting applications or run on annual cycles that will reopen. Each one is current, verified, and paired with a direct link to apply. Whether you are a first-generation student, a Texas resident with financial need, or a sophomore passionate about the environment, there is an opportunity here for you.
Top 10 Ongoing Scholarships for Austin-Area Undergraduates in 2026
Here is a quick overview of each scholarship before the full breakdown:
- Austin Community Foundation Scholarships
- UT Austin Continuing and Transfer Student Scholarship (LASSO)
- Texas Exes Chapter Scholarships
- Terry Foundation Scholarship
- Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
- ACC Foundation Scholarships
- Texas Exes Opportunity Scholarships
- UT Austin College of Natural Sciences (CNS) Common Scholarship
- AWM Austin Media Scholarship
- V&E Scholars Program (Vinson & Elkins)
1. Austin Community Foundation Scholarships
Award: Varies by fund | Deadline: March 25 annually (11:59 p.m. CT)
The Austin Community Foundation (ACF) is one of the most student-friendly scholarship programs in Central Texas. It offers more than 60 different scholarships bundled into a single general application that automatically matches you with every award you qualify for. This means you apply once and get considered for dozens of opportunities simultaneously, ranging from need-based awards to major-specific funds. In 2025, ACF awarded over $450,000 in scholarships, with the majority supporting students from Central Texas or attending local institutions.
Award notifications go out during the week of May 15, and recipients must accept or defer by June 30, with payments disbursed the week of July 15.
Eligibility: Primarily for students in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, and Bastrop Counties.
2. UT Austin Continuing and Transfer Student Scholarship (LASSO)
Award: Varies | Deadline: March 15 annually
If you are already enrolled at UT Austin or planning to transfer, the university’s LASSO system is your central scholarship hub. The UT Scholarship Application for Continuing and Transfer Students is available in November of each year and is used to award undergraduate students for the following academic year.
Students use the Longhorn Awards and Student Scholarship Opportunities (LASSO) portal to apply. This one application puts you in the running for dozens of institutional awards simultaneously, from merit-based to need-based categories.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled UT Austin undergrads, transfer admits, and returning students seeking readmission.
3. Texas Exes Chapter Scholarships
Award: Varies (over $870,000 awarded annually) | Deadline: March 1 annually
More than $870,000 in chapter scholarship funds are awarded to UT students each year, and by completing the Texas Exes scholarship application, students automatically apply for all Texas Exes Chapter scholarships they qualify to receive.
Local Austin County chapters have specific awards for students from the area, and recipients are selected by local committee panels each spring. Most students selected to receive a Texas Exes scholarship are notified throughout the months of May and June.
This is one of the highest-volume scholarship programs tied directly to UT Austin, making it a must-apply for any Longhorn seeking undergraduate financial aid.
Eligibility: Current UT Austin students and incoming freshmen or transfers.
4. Terry Foundation Scholarship
Award: Full cost of attendance (last-dollar, renewable for 8 semesters) | Deadline: January 15 annually
The Terry Foundation Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and generous undergraduate scholarships in Texas. It is a full-ride, last-dollar scholarship covering up to eight semesters, awarded to Texas high school seniors accepted to one of the Terry-affiliated public universities in Texas, including UT Austin. The Terry Foundation has invested more than $320 million toward access to higher education since its inception in 1987.
Beyond money, Terry Scholars gain access to a mentorship network, leadership programming, and peer communities across Texas campuses.
Eligibility: Incoming Texas high school graduates; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; demonstrated financial need; strong academic and leadership record.
5. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Award: Up to $7,500 | Deadline: March 4, 2026
For undergraduates committed to environmental stewardship or Native American tribal policy, the Udall Scholarship is among the most respected national awards available to Austin-area students. In 2026, the Udall Foundation anticipates awarding up to 65 scholarships of $7,500 each.
Students at UT Austin and ACC must be nominated through their institution’s faculty representative. Awardees become members of the Udall Alumni Network, an association of changemakers working in Indian country or in environmental fields who share innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities.
Eligibility: Sophomore or junior-level undergraduate; U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident; commitment to environment, tribal public policy, or Native American healthcare.
6. ACC Foundation Scholarships
Award: Varies | Deadline: May 1 (priority deadline)
For students at Austin Community College, the ACC Foundation runs a single-application scholarship system that connects students to hundreds of funding opportunities. ACC Foundation Scholarships are paid directly toward tuition and fees by the start of the semester, and depending on the amount, a book stipend may also be issued.
Eligibility spans merit-based, need-based, and program-specific awards. Submitting your FAFSA alongside the ACC scholarship application strengthens your candidacy across most of the available funds.
Eligibility: Enrolled or admitted ACC students; varies by individual scholarship.
7. Texas Exes Opportunity Scholarships
Award: Varies | Deadline: March 1 annually
Separate from the chapter scholarships, the Texas Exes Opportunity Scholarship program specifically targets students from economically disadvantaged or geographically challenged backgrounds. Opportunity Scholars are encouraged to participate in the Texas Exes Opportunity Mentor Program, a four-year program that gives scholars a rich mentoring experience and prepares them for careers through alumni connections and peer mentorship. The mentorship component alone makes this award stand out among Austin undergraduate financial aid options.
Eligibility: High school seniors applying to UT Austin; current UT undergrads; demonstrated need and background from underserved communities.
8. UT Austin CNS Common Scholarship
Award: Varies | Deadline: March 15 annually
Students in UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences can access a wide range of college-specific awards through the CNS Common Scholarship Application. The application opens each spring semester with a March 15 deadline and is used to award college-wide and health professions scholarships as well as out-of-state tuition waivers and departmental awards for Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and the School of Human Ecology.
Students pursuing pre-med, pre-dental, or other health profession tracks are given particular consideration for several individual funds.
Eligibility: Current CNS undergraduates only; accessed via LASSO.
9. AWM Austin Media Scholarship
Award: $5,000 | Deadline: Annually (check site for current cycle)
For Austin-area college students studying media or a related field, the AWM Austin scholarship provides meaningful tuition relief. Each year, the scholarship awards one $5,000 scholarship to help a media or related-field major pay off college costs. If you are pursuing journalism, communications, film, broadcasting, or digital media at any Austin-area institution, this award is worth pursuing every academic cycle.
Eligibility: College student from or attending a university in the Austin, Texas area; majoring in media or a related field.
10. V&E Scholars Program (Vinson & Elkins)
Award: Varies | Deadline: Annually (check site for current cycle)
The V&E Scholars Program is aimed at minority undergraduate students in Austin and other Texas cities who have their sights set on law school. It is designed for minority students with financial needs interested in pursuing a career in law, with seven scholarships awarded per year to students in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Recipients also receive the chance to do a summer internship with Vinson and Elkins. The internship component gives this award real professional value beyond the financial assistance.
Eligibility: Top 20% of graduating class; member of an underrepresented ethnic group in the legal profession; financial need required.
Tips for Winning Scholarships in Austin
Applying for undergraduate scholarships in Austin is competitive, but there are practical steps that separate winning applications from the ones that go unread.
- Start with the FAFSA.
Almost every scholarship on this list either requires it or uses it as part of the eligibility process. Filing early, before January 15 at UT Austin for example, ensures you are considered for the maximum range of awards.
- Beyond the FAFSA, treat each application’s essay as your strongest differentiator.
Reviewers read hundreds of applications with similar GPAs and extracurriculars. Your story, told clearly and honestly, is what makes you memorable.
- Apply to multiple scholarships at once.
The Austin Community Foundation and ACC Foundation both use single-application systems designed for exactly this reason. One well-prepared profile can unlock dozens of matches. Also note that scholarship eligibility is not always about academic perfection. Many of the programs listed above prioritize leadership, service, financial background, or declared major over GPA alone.
For more on building strong study habits and preparing for college-level work, visit our guide on effective study skills every student needs.
FAQs: Scholarships for Undergraduate Students in Austin Area
Most of the scholarships listed, particularly the Terry Foundation, Texas Exes, and ACF awards, require Texas residency or enrollment at a Texas institution. The Udall Scholarship is open to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents regardless of state.
Yes, and you should. Most scholarship providers allow and encourage applicants to hold multiple awards simultaneously, as long as the combined funding does not exceed your cost of attendance, as governed by your institution’s financial aid office.
Requirements vary widely. The Terry Foundation and V&E Scholars Program are highly competitive and favor students in the top 20 to 25 percent of their class. The ACC Foundation and Austin Community Foundation include awards with no minimum GPA requirement. Always review the eligibility section for each specific award.
As early as possible. Many campus nomination deadlines fall months before the national or organizational deadlines. For scholarships requiring faculty nomination, like the Udall, reach out to your faculty representative well before January of the application year.
Several scholarships on this list are not UT-exclusive. The ACC Foundation, Austin Community Foundation, Udall, and AWM Austin scholarships are open to students at other accredited institutions in the Austin area.
Final Thoughts
Tuition costs in Austin are real, but so is the funding available to help you manage them. The scholarships listed above represent some of the most accessible and well-funded opportunities for undergraduate students in 2026. Whether you are a STEM student, a future lawyer, a media major, or a first-generation college student, there is an award that fits your background.
Your next step is simple: choose the two or three opportunities that best match your profile, bookmark the deadlines, and start your applications today.
For more resources to support your academic journey, explore our guides on how to study effectively for exams, best college degrees in the world, free luxury study abroad programs, and the best tech gadgets for college students.
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