2009-2010 Scholarship Information

Texas Woman's University offers several scholarship opportunities for both new and continuing students.  You may complete a scholarship application on-line. Students who are awarded scholarships will receive a personalized scholarship offer letter from the TWU Financial Aid Office.  Students must return the letter by the deadline to avoid having the scholarship cancelled.  Students not awarded scholarships will also be notified.

Out-of-State Waivers

Out-of-state students who are awarded $1,000 or more in TWU academic scholarship funds may qualify to pay tuition at the Texas resident rate.  Eligible students will be notified if they qualify for an out-of-state tuition waiver. 

Eligibility

To be considered for scholarships students must meet the following criteria:

• Complete and submit a TWU Scholarship Application to the TWU Financial Aid Office by March 1, 2009.
• New students will receive the scholarship application along with information mailed to them by the TWU Admissions Office.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for undergraduates and 3.2 or higher for graduate students.
• Have all required admission applications and academic transcripts in the TWU Admission's Office or Graduate Admission's Office by March 1, 2009.
• Enroll full-time (minimum of 12 hours for undergraduates; minimum 9 hours for graduate students and 6 hours for graduate assistants).  EXCEPTIONS:  You are graduating the semester of the award or your degree program requires less than full-time enrollment (Example:  Clinicals, student teaching, thesis, dissertation).
• Declare a major if you are an undergraduate student and have attempted at least 24 semester hours, or you are a graduate student and have attempted at least 12 semester hours.

No 2009-2010 Scholarship funds will be available from the programs listed on the TWU Scholarship Application if you submit your scholarship application or complete your admissions file, if applicable, after March 1, 2009.  (Prospective high school graduates may submit to the TWU Admissions Office a partial academic transcript for scholarship evaluation.)

All TWU Students

TWU General Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are generally awarded on the basis of academic achievement.  Funds are paid through credit to the student's university account.  Some scholarships may entitle non-Texas resident students to pay Texas resident tuition rates.  Full-time enrollment is required unless graduating in the semester of the award or unless the degree program requires less than full-time status (Example:  Clinicals, student teaching, thesis, dissertation).  Undergraduate students who have attempted 24 or more credit hours and graduate students who have attempted 12 or more credit hours, must have a declared major on file in the Registrar's Office.

Top 10% Scholarship

This need based scholarship is awarded to students who met the following criteria:

• have graduated from an accredited high school in Texas while ranked in the top 10 percent of his or her graduating class (based on the student's ranking at the end of his or her seventh semester unless an institution of higher education uses a different semester in determing eligibility for admissions),
• have completed the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement High School Program in an accredited high school or its equivalent,
• complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
• have unmet financial need when using the formula "Cost of Attendance minus EFC minus Pell Grants,"
• enroll in an institution of higher education in Texas the fall semester immediately following high school graduation,
• are a Texas resident, and
• are enrolled full-time.

Award amounts through this program may not exceed $2,000 unless the student is classified as a junior or senior at a public institution in Texas with a declared major in a shortage field and meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements listed below, in which case the student may be eligible for a bonus of $2,000 to the extent funds are available for such.  The total award amount for students with declared majors in shortage fields may not exceed $4,000.

To the extent funds are available, students may receive continuation awards if they meet the following:

• complete at least 75 percent of the hours attempted in his or her most recent twelve-month academic year, as determined by institutional policies,
• complete at least 30 semester credit hours in his or her most recent twelve twelve-month academic year, and
• maintain an overall grade-point average of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent for all coursework completed at his or her current institution of higher education.  A recipient who does not meet the academic progress requirements of his or her institution may not receive an award until the institution has determined that the student has raised his or her academic performance and program requirements have been met.

For students with declared majors in shortage area at the end of the sophomore and junior year, each recipient of the Top 10 Percent Scholarship shall meet the following progress requirements to qualify for a subsequent award to the extent funds are available for such.

• complete at least 75 percent of the hours attempted in his or her most recent twelve-month academic year, as determined by institutional policies,
• complete at least 30 semester hours in his or her most recent twelve-month academic year, and
• maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent for all coursework completed at his or her current institution of higher education.  A recipient who does not meet the academic progress requirement may not receive an award until the institution has determined by the student has raised his or her academic performance and program requirements have been met.

A grant recipient who is below program grade-point average requirements as of the end of a spring or summer term may appeal his or her grade-point average calculation if he or she has taken courses previously at one or more different institutions.  In the case of such an appeal, the current institution (if presented with transcripts from the previous institutions) shall calculate an overall grade-point average, counting all classes and grade points previously earned.  If the resulting grade-point average exceeds the program's academic progress requirement, a student may receive an award in the following fall term.

Unless granted a hardship postponement in accordance with Program rules, a student's eligibility for a Top 10 Percent Scholarship award ends four years from the start of the semester or term in which the student received his or her first disbursement of an initial Top 10 Percent award.

In the event of a hardship or for other good cause, the program officer at an eligible instituion may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a Top 10 Percent Scholarship award while the student's grade-point average or completion rate or number of completed hours falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of Subsection 22.201(a) or (b) of this Section.  Such conditions are not limited to, but include:

• a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student's academic performance,
• an indication that the student is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the student's provision of care may affect his or her academic performance, or
• the requirement of fewer than twelve hours to complete one's degree plan.

Departmental Scholarships
Each department at TWU has scholarship funds available to award. Students should contact the chairperson of the department in which they will be majoring for more information.

Mary Bryan and Tom C. Reitch Scholarship
Awards are $1,200 per year. This scholarship is available to entering students and TWU students who have completed at least 24 credit hours. Applicants must complete the Reitch supplemental questions on the TWU Scholarship Application. Awards are based upon academic standing and financial need.

Entering Freshmen

New Freshman Student Scholarship*
Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year.  Entering freshmen and transfer students with less than 13 college credits may apply for this scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded on the combination of high school grade point average, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores.

TWU Honors Scholarship*
Awards are $4,500 per year.  Recipients chosen from the scholarship applicant pool.

TWU Presidential Scholarship*
This scholarship is only available to entering freshmen who were Valedictorians or Salutatorians at an accredited high school.  This scholarship pays full tuition and fees excluding room, board and books.

Chancellor's Endowed Scholarship*
Awards are tuition, fees and book stipend per year.  Recipients chosen from scholarship applicant pool.

 

Entering Transfer Students

New Transfer Student Scholarship*
Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year.  Students transferring to TWU from accredited junior colleges or four-year institutions with more than 12 credit hours may apply for this scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded on a combination of cumulative grade point average and number of hours transferred to TWU.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship*
Awards are $2,300 per year.  Applicants must incoming students for the fall semester, be active Phi Theta Kappa members in good standing (documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office) and must continue to serve in Phi Theta Kappa at Texas Woman's University. 

TWU Dream Come True Scholarship*
Awards are $2,000 per year.  Students transferring from a Rising Star program in the Dallas County Community College District may be eligible. This scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and 60 credit hours.  Applicants must contact their DCCCD campus Rising Star adviser for instructions and application materials.

Entering Graduate Students

Awards are $2,500 per year. This award is automatically renewable for up to two years for Masters students and up to three years for Doctoral students as long as the recipient maintains a 3.2 or higher cumulative grade point average.  Students who will be starting their graduate work at TWU for the first time are eligible to apply for this scholarship This scholarship is awarded on the basis of cumulative grade point average and academic discipline.

McNair Scholars Scholarship

Several awards of $2,500 per year will be made to new graduate students who were undergraduate McNair Scholars.  These awards are renewable as described in the New Graduate Student Scholarships section. Applicants must provide a letter of verification from their McNair advisor.

Entering International Students

Awards are $2,000 per year.This award is automatically renewable as long as the minimum grade point average is maintained or until degree is received.

Other Scholarship Sources

The TWU Financial Aid Office and Library have directories of private scholarship sources that you are welcome to explore. In addition, the financial aid web site has links to free on-line scholarship and financial aid searches.  Go to the Tools & Guides page then select any of the scholarship and financial aid searches listed.  In addition, you may be interested in researching scholarships from these sources:

• High School (for traditional age entering freshmen students)
• Home-Town Community - Religious organizations and service organizations, such as Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
• Government Agencies - Military and Government developmental/recruitment grants/scholarships
• Professional organizations related to Your major
• Business and Industry - Developmental/recruitment grants/scholarships, internships, your employer (scholarships, tuition assistance, internships), and your parents' or spouse's employer

Scholarship Hints

The following is a list of helpful hints useful for students when applying for scholarships.

• Meet deadlines.  Do not wait until the last minute or deadline date to complete the application(s) Some organizations require official transcripts and/or letters of reference.  Allow time to assemble all required information.
• Read through the scholarship information and application before writing on the application form.
• Follow directions explicitly.
• Complete the application by typing or printing in black ink.  Do not use cursive writing when completing an application.  Make sure all information on the application is neat, accurate, and legible.
• Only submit requested information.  Additional information may result in your application not being favorably considered.  Do not submit letters of recommendation, photos, resumes, or transcripts unless they are requested.
• Maintain a record of your applications and the dates submitted.  Keep a copy of the application and all other information submitted to the organization.
• If you are asked to write an essay, use accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Have someone proofread your work.
• Send thank you notes to scholarship donors.
• Reapply each year, if required.

*These awards are automatically renewable for up to four years or receipt of a bachelors degree as long as a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or more is maintained.