Unlocking Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to the Terry Scholarship at UT Dallas
The Terry Foundation Scholarship represents a significant opportunity for Texas students seeking to pursue higher education at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas). Established in 1986 by philanthropists Howard and Nancy Terry, the Terry Foundation aims to support and develop future leaders of Texas by providing access to education at the state's finest public universities. This article provides a detailed overview of the Terry Scholarship at UT Dallas, covering eligibility requirements, the application process, and the benefits it offers.
The Essence of the Terry Scholarship
Unlike many scholarship programs, selection as a Terry Scholar is not simply based on financial need, test scores, or grade point average. Instead, Terry Scholars are chosen because they exhibit a well-rounded personality, grounded in a desire to succeed, and a demonstrated history of community leadership. The Terry Foundation’s mission is to develop future leaders of Texas through access to education: scholars are distinguished by a deep-rooted desire to enrich the general welfare of the community and an established record of leadership.
Financial Coverage and Additional Benefits
The Terry Traditional Scholarship, or Freshman Scholarship, is a full ride, last dollar scholarship that covers up to eight semesters. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at UT Dallas, up to eight semesters. This encompasses tuition, fees, meal plan, housing, textbooks, and other educational expenses. Furthermore, the Terry Foundation provides $5,000 for scholars to study abroad, enriching their educational experience with international exposure.
The Terry Scholars Program at UT Dallas offers multiple student programming opportunities such as academic, service, cultural and social events, mentoring, as well as leadership opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Terry Scholarship at UT Dallas, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Read also: Comprehensive guide to the Terry Scholarship
- Be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident and meet Texas residency requirements.
- Be a graduating senior of a Texas high school or homeschool.
- Demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement.
- Exhibit a notable record of leadership and volunteerism.
Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Terry Foundation does not accept applications directly from candidates. Instead, that process is conducted at each Terry-affiliated university by campus partners.
Apply to UT Dallas: To begin, applicants must first apply to UT Dallas. To avoid unforeseen delays, it is best to apply to UT Dallas by Dec. 1; you must be admitted to UT Dallas by Jan.
Access the Application: The application will be available in early September in your Galaxy/Orion portal. Log in to Galaxy, enter your NetID (three initials plus six digits) and password. Click on “Orion Student Center” under “My Menu” and “Orion Self-Service (Student)” in the middle of the page. Click on the tile Terry Scholarship to find the application. View a more detailed set of instructions.
Complete the Application: The application requires several components, including:
- Official copy of high school transcript (we are not able to access transcripts submitted to UT Dallas Admissions).
- Responses to essay questions, such as:
- What are your future goals and objectives?
- Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Describe an example of your leadership in approximately 500 words.
- One letter of recommendation, preferably from a high school teacher.
Submit the FAFSA: You must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by Jan. You will need completed federal tax information to complete the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but that does not have to be done prior to applying. FAFSA uses tax income from the year prior to the last year.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to the Terry Scholarship at UTEP
Selection Process and Timeline
Our campus partners open their Terry Scholarship applications between early August and mid-October. Some partners utilize ApplyTexas for their candidate applications, while other partners provide stand-alone applications. Our campus partners close their applications beginning December 1st, while others will accept applications through the mid-January.
- Nomination: Terry Scholarship affiliates at each university review applications and nominate candidates for interviews with the Foundation. Partner universities nominate from 26 to 90 candidates annually. These allotments are determined by the Terry Foundation. Our campus partners send their list of nominees to the Terry Foundation mid-February.
- Interview: Applicants will be notified of their status in early March. Those selected to move forward for an interview will be contacted by the Terry Foundation. A candidate cannot receive a Terry Scholarship without an interview. Terry Scholarship Interviews take place once a year, in late March and early April. Candidates interview in either El Paso, Dallas, or Houston, depending on the university they plan to attend. A panel comprised of current Terry Scholars, alumni and Terry Foundation staff will interview you for 30 minutes. You will discuss your achievements, high school career and future goals. When the candidate calls the Foundation, our staff will coordinate candidate travel and provide additional instructions to prepare for the interview. The Foundation reimburses mileage costs to candidates who live more than an hour from their interview site.
- Final Selection: Although a candidate can be nominated by multiple Terry-affiliated universities, each candidate can only participate in one Terry Scholarship interview. Interview dates are intentionally limited; a candidate who cannot interview on the required date, regardless of the reason, will forfeit their interview opportunity.
Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility
Recipients of the Terry Scholarship at UT Dallas must maintain certain academic and conduct standards to retain their eligibility:
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress on a four-year graduation timeline. This presumes 15 hours per semester and 30 hours per year.
- Enroll as a full-time student (12 hours for undergraduate students, 9 hours for graduate students).
- Adhere to the UT Dallas Student Code of Conduct. Violations of the UT Dallas Code of Conduct may be reviewed to determine continued scholarship eligibility.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities at UT Dallas
Besides the Terry Scholarship, UT Dallas awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year to incoming students. Some awards are automatic, while many require an application and are offered through various sources such as through the Academic Bridge Program. Here's a brief overview of some other notable scholarships:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship: Merit scholarships provide financial awards to some of our most academically talented first-time freshmen. Students who complete the application process by the December 1 priority deadline are automatically reviewed for the Academic Excellence Scholarship.
- Comet Scholars Program: The Comet Scholars Program awards scholarships to freshmen and transfer students with a high school or community college record of academic excellence who show significant financial need. Recipients of this scholarship also receive academic support from program staff to assist them in successfully transitioning to UT Dallas.
- Eugene McDermott Scholars Program: The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program is more than a financial package; it is a program for students committed to actively learning, leading and serving throughout all four years of their undergraduate education.
- National Merit Scholars Program: The National Merit Scholars Program at UT Dallas is for National Merit Finalists who list UT Dallas as their first-choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by their stated deadline.
- UT Dallas Top 10% Scholarship: The UT Dallas Top 10% Scholarship is offered to first-time college freshmen admitted for the fall term immediately following high school graduation from an accredited Texas high school. Awards provide $2,500 per semester toward tuition and mandatory fees for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Awards are limited, and students are automatically considered for the UTD Top 10% Scholarship based on the date of their completed application to the University.
Read also: Learn about the Terry Scholarship
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