UT Austin Engineering Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing funding for higher education, especially in a demanding field like engineering, is a significant concern for many students. The University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering recognizes this and offers various scholarship opportunities to support its students. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available to both prospective and current engineering students at UT Austin, along with guidance on how to navigate the application process.

Funding Your Engineering Education at UT Austin

The Cockrell School of Engineering understands the importance of financial planning for education at UT Austin. Each year, the school awards millions of dollars in merit-based awards to undergraduate students, including both first-year and continuing students. These financial packages often include fellowships, paid research and teaching positions, tuition, and benefits coverage.

Merit-Based vs. Need-Based Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of financial aid that does not require repayment. They are generally awarded based on two primary criteria: financial need and merit. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential, or participation in extracurricular activities. Incoming students who do not submit a FAFSA/TASFA will still be considered for scholarships that do not require financial need.

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Non-resident students can receive a waiver for out-of-state tuition if they are awarded an academically competitive scholarship or fellowship of $1,000 or more during an academic year.

Scholarship Opportunities for Incoming Students

The Cockrell School of Engineering offers scholarships to incoming students who demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership potential. To be considered for merit-based scholarships, complete the Engineering Honors Program Application by December 1st. Complete the Student Interest form through the Admissions Application to be considered for University scholarships.

Key Application Deadlines

Apply for admission to UT using the CommonApp application by December 1.

Scholarships for Doctoral Students

Students planning to pursue a doctoral degree receive special consideration for full funding packages, including multi-year fellowships and stipend support. There are also a number of one-year fellowships for both future and current students. Future graduate students usually receive fellowship offers from the Cockrell School in early to mid-spring. Both incoming and current students must be nominated for any fellowships available from the Cockrell School.

Scholarship Opportunities for Continuing & Transfer Students

The UT Scholarship Application for Continuing & Transfer Students is available in November of each year and is used to award undergraduate students for the following academic year. This online application is strictly for continuing students who are eligible to enroll, transfer students who have been officially admitted or have completed an application for transfer admission AND returning UT students who are applying for readmission to UT. Students participating in the Coordinated Admissions Program (CAP), seeking admission to UT and waiting to complete the requirements by June 1 to enroll in the fall, can also use this online application.

How to Apply

Scholarships from Colleges and Departments

In addition to those awarded by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, most colleges and departments administer their own scholarships. Scholarships awarded by your college or academic department are included in your Cost of Attendance (COA).

Read also: Understanding UT Austin GPA

Specific Scholarship Details

Please note that meeting a scholarship's eligibility criteria does not guarantee that you will receive that award; many scholarships require applications, which you can submit through LASSO.

Scholarships for Study Abroad and International Experiences

UT Austin encourages students to broaden their horizons through study abroad and international experiences. Several scholarships and funding options are available to support these endeavors.

Funding for Faculty-Led Programs

Students participating in a faculty-led program and already receiving financial aid may apply for additional loans to cover additional program expenses such as flights, passport, insurance, meals, etc.

Carrying Over Existing Scholarships

Students already receiving Cockrell School and non-UT Austin scholarships may carry over these funds for their semester abroad.

Additional Loans for Study Abroad

Students already on financial aid may be able to apply for additional loans, if necessary, to cover all required expenses for studying abroad, including room/board, required transportation, passport/visa and insurance.

Specific Study Abroad Scholarships

Mark and Sarah Murray Scholarship for International Study (Spring): Award description, eligibility criteria and applications are available on LASSO.
Freeman Scholars: Available for UT students who participate in an internship of at least six weeks in East or Southeast Asia.
Gilman STEM-Supplemental Award: Available for Pell Grant recipients who include STEM-related research abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program.
Global Change Maker Scholarships: Open to all UT students who incorporate an international experience into their degree plan.
First Abroad Scholarship: This is a planning scholarship that supports first-generation, first-year students for a study abroad experience after their first year at UT.
Benjamin A. Gilman Awards: For Pell Grant recipients only.
Fund for Education Abroad: Various opportunities.

Funding for Internships

Students participating in an internship can have their associated costs covered with aid. If the internship is part of a credit-bearing program, it could be covered with federal financial aid.

External Scholarships and Financial Aid Management

UT students can also apply for and receive scholarships from organizations outside of the University. Scholarships awarded by an organization or entity outside of UT Austin also count toward your Cost of Attendance (COA).

Reporting External Scholarships

The University of Texas at Austin must include all scholarships in your financial aid package, and other aid may be adjusted to account for these external resources.

How to Submit External Scholarship Funds

Your donor may also provide a paper check made payable to The University of Texas at Austin or co-payable to you and UT Austin; it must include your full name and EID. Some private donors may want to verify your enrollment at UT before releasing any funds. For unofficial proof of enrollment, you may print your fee bill straight from My Tuition Bill.

Potential Adjustments to Financial Aid

Federal and state requirements do not allow a student’s financial aid to exceed the Cost of Attendance (COA), or in some cases, financial need. Students who receive scholarships that bring their aid package (including all institutional, state, federal, and private sources) above their COA or financial need may have certain types of financial aid (including grants and scholarships) reduced or canceled. In most cases, loans will be reduced before any other kind of aid. For example, Bevo then receives a $4,000 scholarship from the Texas Foundation with half releasing in the fall and the other half in spring.

Important Notes for International Students

The Cockrell School does not offer scholarships to incoming international undergraduates. Current international undergraduates may apply for a small number of scholarships available by completing the Engineering Scholarship Application by May 1st.

Additional Resources and Information

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid administers a range of scholarships to incoming and current students.

Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarships Opportunities (LASSO)

The Graduate School

The Graduate School also provides additional information for current fellows, including requirements and stipulations fellows must meet to receive support.

Understanding Title IX Reporting Requirements

TITLE IX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Texas Senate Bill 212 requires all employees of Texas universities to report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive any information of this type (from sources including, but not limited to, written forms, applications, one-on-one conversations, and class assignments) must report it.

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