Navigating UT Dallas Scholarship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Applications

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is committed to supporting its students through a variety of financial aid programs. 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. These scholarships, sometimes referred to as “gift aid,” 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. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarship opportunities available at UT Dallas, along with their specific requirements and application processes.

Scholarships for First-Time College Freshmen

UT Dallas offers several scholarships specifically for incoming, first-time college freshmen, recognizing both academic achievement and financial need.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES)

The Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES) are offered each year to incoming, first-time-college freshmen. Award criteria and amounts vary with each applicant cohort. Students who complete the application process by the December 1 priority deadline are automatically reviewed for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. No additional information or scholarship submission is required. The completed application file for admission to the University serves as the AES application. Many AES recipients either begin their academic careers at UT Dallas on track to graduate early by applying AP, IB, or dual credit earned in high school or intend to accelerate their undergraduate degree completion. The AES Program awards eight funded semesters. Per the Graduate Usage Policy, recipients who complete their undergraduate degree before exhausting all eight semesters of AES funding eligibility may request to apply their remaining semesters of AES support toward graduate studies at UT Dallas. To apply AES eligible semester to graduate school at UT Dallas, graduate matriculation must occur during the long semester immediately following undergraduate completion.

AES Requirements and Probation:

Students who do not enroll full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and/or achieve a 3.0 GPA or better at the conclusion of each semester are placed on probation. Violations of the UT Dallas Code of Conduct in current or previous semesters may also result in probation. Students on final probation will participate in the Student Success Program and meet with their Scholarship Probation Advisor. If a student repeatedly does not meet the AES requirements, the AES Director reserves the right to suspend an AES award without offering the option of participating in a scholarship probation program. Students suspended or expelled from UT Dallas or students who repeatedly do not meet the UT Dallas Code of Conduct will be terminated from AES without the option of participating in a scholarship probation program.

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. The UT Dallas Top 10% Scholarship recipients will be supported by the AES Program and the Office of Financial Aid.

Anson L. Clark Summer Research Program

The Clark Summer Research Program is an intensive summer research experience for first-time-in-college freshmen, including laboratory work and theory development.

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.

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. The program welcomes all majors and careers from all states and countries.

Terry Scholars Program

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

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Transfer students are also eligible for various scholarship opportunities at UT Dallas, recognizing their prior academic achievements.

Comet Transfer Scholarship

Transfer applicants are reviewed automatically for the Comet Transfer Scholarship when admitted. To be considered, students must be a Texas resident at the time of admission and have between 30-90 transferrable credit hours. Must have earned at least 30, but no more than 90, transferable semester credit hours. Proof of PTK membership must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid soon after applying for admission. This scholarship is designed for high-achieving transfer students, and applicants are encouraged to complete the application process by the financial aid priority deadline for the Fall application term.

Scholarships for Both Freshman and Transfer Students

Some scholarship programs at UT Dallas are available to both freshman and transfer students, providing support for students at different stages of their academic journey.

Comet Scholars Program

The Comet Scholars Program awards scholarships to both freshman and transfer students who have a record of academic excellence in high school or community college and show significant financial need. Recipients of this scholarship also receive academic support from program staff to assist them in successfully transitioning to UT Dallas.

General Scholarship Application

UT Dallas offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships to both domestic and international students. To be considered for a limited number of available scholarships and fellowships, please complete the UTD General Scholarship Application. Individual scholarships and fellowships cannot be applied for separately. Based on your responses in the UTD General Scholarship Application, you will be automatically matched to all scholarships and fellowships for which you are eligible. A confirmation will appear when the application is submitted successfully. After submitting the UTD General Scholarship Application, applicants can select my opportunities and applicants will see all scholarships and fellowships they will be considered for. If applicants would like to be considered for need-based scholarship and fellowship opportunities, please be sure that you have completed a FAFSA or TASFA application.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

To maintain eligibility for renewable scholarships and fellowships at UT Dallas, students must adhere to certain requirements.

General Requirements

Enroll as a full-time student: Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours, while graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credit hours.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress on a four-year graduation timeline. This presumes 15 hours per semester and 30 hours per year.
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.

AES Specific Requirements

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

In addition to the scholarships listed above, UT Dallas offers a variety of other scholarship opportunities through its various schools and departments. Additional scholarship opportunities are available on our UT Dallas Scholarship Listing as well as through our seven schools.

AIM S&E Scholarship

Interested individuals must complete both the FAFSA and the AIM S&E Scholarship Interest Form. Interest forms may be submitted at any time; however, priority will be given to those received no later than January 15. Completed applications will be scored and ranked by the AIM S&E team, and awards will be made supporting students with scholarships of up to $20,000 per year or the amount of their unmet financial need, whichever is less. We anticipate awarding a minimum of 10 scholarships per year beginning in fall 2026. For optimal benefit, scholarship recipients will be strongly encouraged to participate in cohort building, mentoring and career development activities.

AES Program Flexibility

The AES program provides flexibility for recipients interested in various academic enrichment activities.

Study Abroad Opportunities

UT Dallas offers a variety of study abroad opportunities. AES funds can support scholar participation in various academic enrichment activities, including the Archer Program in Washington D.C. and other study abroad programs such as the Exchange Mobility and faculty-led study abroad programs. AES recipients must be in good standing with the University and the AES program to receive AES funds toward an approved study abroad program. Students must complete all necessary protocols through the International Center. The AES program also provides flexibility for recipients interested in non-Exchange Mobility study abroad programs that AES cannot fund.

Summer Courses

UT Dallas students may choose to take summer courses for several reasons. Students meeting the AES requirements at the conclusion of the spring semester may utilize their AES during the summer. It is recommended students enroll in a minimum of nine UT Dallas hours, as the summer semester counts as one semester towards overall scholarship eligibility. Students must enroll in at least three UT Dallas credit hours to be approved.

Texas Resident Tuition Waiver

Eligible students include nonresident or international students who receive a qualifying competitive institutional scholarship of at least $1,000 and who can confirm Selective Service registration or exemption from the requirement. Any course for which an institution receives formula funding is eligible (TEC, Title 3, Section 54.2002 (pdf)), even if the course is not included in the student’s program of study. An eligible student will pay the Texas resident tuition and fee rate during the semester or term covered by the competitive scholarship, not to exceed a 12-month period. There is no automatic renewal or continuation of the waiver. The benefit does not cross academic years. The State of Texas limits how many competitive scholarship waivers may be offered, and the awarding of such waivers is at the sole discretion of the University.

Reporting Additional Financial Assistance

Scholarships are considered a resource. If you receive a scholarship or any financial assistance that is not listed in your award notice, federal regulations require that you report it to the Office of Financial Aid.

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