Navigating UT Dallas Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Deadlines and Opportunities

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) attracts a diverse body of students with its wide array of programs and commitment to academic excellence. A crucial aspect of financing higher education is understanding the scholarship opportunities available. UT Dallas offers a multitude of scholarships and fellowships to both domestic and international students, and this guide provides a detailed overview of the various programs, application processes, and deadlines.

The UTD General Scholarship Application: Your Gateway to Funding

To be considered for many of the scholarships and fellowships offered by UT Dallas, students must complete the UTD General Scholarship Application. It is important to note that individual scholarships and fellowships cannot be applied for separately. The application functions by matching students to opportunities for which they are eligible based on their responses.

After submitting the application, applicants can view the scholarships and fellowships they will be considered for by selecting "my opportunities." A confirmation will appear upon successful submission of the application.

For applicants seeking need-based scholarships and fellowships, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is essential.

Renewable Scholarships and Fellowships: Investing in Your Future

UT Dallas boasts a number of renewable scholarships and fellowships, providing ongoing support to students who maintain eligibility. These awards offer financial stability throughout a student's academic journey.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES): Recognizing Freshman Achievement

The Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) is awarded to incoming first-time-in-college freshmen admitted for the fall term immediately following high school graduation. The Academic Excellence Scholarship office has begun awarding qualified admitted freshman for the fall 2026 cohort. While a separate scholarship application is not required for AES consideration, students are encouraged to submit supplemental materials such as an essay, resume, and up to three letters of recommendation to strengthen their application.

It's important to note that UT Dallas reserves the right to admit students without test scores, and the quantity and quality of freshman applicants influence the AES awarding process. The award process is competitive, and past years' awards should not set expectations for future scholarship amounts. Applicants are reviewed individually and holistically for AES consideration. The deadline to complete your AES acceptance is June 1.

AES and Third-Party Scholarships

Third-party, non-tuition-specific scholarships submitted to the Office of Financial Aid will be reimbursed to the student after any UT Dallas charges not covered by the AES award are deducted. However, third-party scholarships that are tuition-specific will be applied toward tuition and fees instead of AES tuition funds.

AES and Pre-Paid College Savings Plans

Texas Tomorrow Fund and most pre-paid college savings plans can be applied along with AES towards the cost of attendance. A refund will be issued at the lower rate of the pre-paid tuition plan.

Need-Based Aid: FAFSA and TASFA

To be considered for need-based financial aid, students must submit a valid FAFSA or TASFA (if they are not eligible for federal student financial aid) with the results received by UT Dallas. To ensure timely delivery, it is recommended to submit the application at least two weeks before the priority deadline. Students should also supply any additional documentation required for the completion of their application and regularly check Orion for any outstanding financial aid documents.

Read also: DCS Tuition Information

While students may still complete a FAFSA or TASFA after the priority deadline, they risk not being considered for financial aid programs that are subject to annual appropriations.

Merit and Need-Based Freshman Scholarships

UT Dallas awards freshman scholarships based on both academic merit and financial need. Merit scholarships recognize and reward academically talented first-time freshmen.

Featured Scholarship Programs

UT Dallas offers several distinguished scholarship programs tailored to specific student profiles:

Comet Scholars Program

The Comet Scholars Program provides scholarships to freshmen and transfer students who demonstrate a high school or community college record of academic excellence and significant financial need. Recipients also receive academic support from program staff to facilitate their transition to UT Dallas.

The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program

The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program is a comprehensive program for students committed to active learning, leadership, and service throughout their undergraduate education. The program welcomes all majors and careers from all states and countries.

The 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.

The Terry Scholars Program

The Terry Scholars Program is a four-year cohort experience that provides academic, cultural, mentoring, and service opportunities to students awarded scholarships from the Terry Foundation.

The 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. The award provides $2,500 per semester toward tuition and mandatory fees for a maximum of eight semesters of undergraduate study. Students are automatically considered for this scholarship based on the date of their completed application to the University. Recipients of the UT Dallas Top 10% Scholarship are supported by the AES Program and the Office of Financial Aid.

Scholarship Requirements

To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must:

Maintain satisfactory academic progress on a four-year graduation timeline (presuming 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

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.

Applications for Dean’s Excellence, Dean’s Impact, and donor scholarships are processed through the Scholarship Application Portal. The Spring 2026 scholarship application is closed. The Fall 2026 scholarship application is open.

Incoming (newly admitted) Jindal School graduate students must be admitted by the scholarship application deadline to be considered for scholarships. Dean’s Excellence Scholarship and Program Excellence Scholarship are available through the application portal.

Current students are NOT automatically considered for any scholarship award. Students in certain programs are not eligible for the donor, Dean’s Excellence, Program Excellence or Impact scholarships and, therefore, should NOT use the portal to apply. A list of scholarships is available to continuing students who apply for scholarships. Applicants will be considered for all available awards. Students do not apply for individual scholarships.

The results for summer scholarships for new incoming students and for current (continuing) students will be announced by mid-May.

The JSOM scholarship application process for new incoming students includes one step: completing the scholarship application through the portal. Applicants will be considered for any scholarship for which they qualify. The JSOM scholarship application process for current/continuing students has two steps. Upon completion of the first step, the applicant receives a link to complete a survey as part of the second step. Current students submit ONLY ONE scholarship application. Applicants will be considered for any scholarship for which they qualify.

Students may simultaneously apply for scholarships from other organizations, such as UT Dallas, industry and trade groups, and civic organizations. Scholarships are not transferable or deferrable. Non-Texas residents, including international students, who receive a competitive scholarship of $1,000 or more during the Summer semester, may be eligible for in-state tuition for the Summer semester only. Accepting a scholarship and tuition reductions may impact a student’s tax status/situation. Scholarships awarded by cohort programs, non-funded programs and executive programs have different rules.

External Scholarship Opportunities

UT Dallas also provides information on external scholarship opportunities, such as:

Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation for Asia-Pacific Education: Offers scholarships to students planning to study abroad in several countries within the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and more.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO): Provides scholarships to qualified students who are accepted to participate in a semester exchange program in Japan. The host institution will select top-qualified students to apply for the JASSO scholarship.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Program: Funded by the Korean Government and provides scholarships for qualified students who are accepted to participate in a semester exchange program in Korea. The host institution will select top-qualified students to apply for the GKS scholarship.

Understanding Scholarships: Key Information

Scholarships are considered "gift aid" because they provide funding that does not have to be repaid. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on merit, but some may also require that the student demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are considered a resource, and students are required to report any scholarships or financial assistance not listed in their award notice to the Office of Financial Aid.

Resources for Further Information

The University of Texas at Dallas offers many scholarship opportunities for incoming first-time freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students, as well as for all continuing students. Additional scholarship opportunities are available on the UT Dallas Scholarship Listing as well as through the seven schools.

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