National Scholarships

These National Scholarships are awarded to students who are named National Merit Finalists or National Hispanic Scholars. To receive a National Distinction Scholarship, you must be a Finalist in the National Merit Scholar Program and select Texas State as your college of choice with the National Merit Corporation. In the case of the National Hispanic Scholarship, you must be designated as a National Hispanic Scholar by the College Board via their National Hispanic Recognition Program.

In addition, you must submit an admission application and high school transcript. You may submit an official SAT or ACT score, but it is optional. These scholarships are guaranteed provided you are admitted to Texas State as a first-time incoming freshman and meet the minimum scholarship qualifications prior to your first semester (fall or spring). If you are a nonresident receiving a National Scholarship, you may also qualify to pay the in-state tuition rate for the same period covered by your scholarship.

Expand FAQ List

  • Award Amount

    • $40,000 Total award
    • $10,000 Distributed annually

    Eligibility Criteria (must meet all)

    • Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program
    • Select Texas State as your first college of choice with NMSC on or before May 31st prior to your first semester (provide copy of certificate)

    Renewal Criteria (must meet all)

    • 3.5 cumulative Texas State GPA
    • Complete 28 passing Texas State hours/year (fall/spring)
    • Undergraduate status
    • Currently enrolled and not have earned a bachelor's degree

  • Award Amount

    • $8,000 Total award
    • $2,000 Distributed annually

    Eligibility Criteria (must meet all)

    • National Hispanic Scholar, as designated by the College Board
    • Top 25% of graduating class or IB diploma or AP Capstone Diploma

    AND

    Minimum SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math) score of 1270+

    OR

    • Minimum ACT score of 27+

    OR

    • Texas State will consider freshmen admitted (summer, fall and spring 2024 terms) for the National Hispanic Scholarship without an SAT or ACT score. Students applying without an SAT or ACT and who are ranked in the top 35% of their class will receive an academic review of their application, which will include consideration of their high school curriculum, level of courses taken, high school rank/percentile, and grades earned. Merit scholarships, based on academic review, are competitive and based on availability of funding.

    Renewal Criteria (must meet all)

    • 3.25 cumulative Texas State GPA
    • Complete 28 passing Texas State hours/year (fall/spring)
    • Undergraduate status
    • Currently enrolled and not have earned a bachelor's degree
  • For Texas State scholarship purposes, SAT score is defined as the best composite score from the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section and Math Section from a single testing. ACT score is defined as the best composite score from a single testing.
  • These scholarships are renewable for up to four years based upon required academic performance.
  • The annual enrollment renewal requirement (28 institutional hours) considers all completed credit hours with passing grades, regardless if they count toward your degree or if they are repeat courses. Students receiving their last year of funding may qualify for an exception to the full-time enrollment requirement.
  • Any combination of financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
  • If you have become ineligible to receive your scholarship due to your not meeting the renewal requirements, you can file an appeal. The appeal must demonstrate a documented extenuating circumstance that you experienced and led to your not meeting the renewal criteria. Appeal instructions will be emailed to students after spring grades post in May.