Lamar University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 25, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~83%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22
- Middle 50% SAT: 1070
- Average GPA: 3.5
Comparing multiple schools?
Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Lamar University at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (Presidential Scholarship & Southeast Texas (SETX) Legends Scholars)
Average Net Price
$11,307/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$2,000–$10,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
13 opportunities
4 automatic · 1 competitive · 3 hidden gem · 5 honors
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3.5+; ACT 19+ / SAT 1010+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 1 • FAFSA: Mar 15
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Presidential Scholarship & Southeast Texas (SETX) Legends Scholars
Honors College
Honors Program Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Lamar University (Read This First)
- The big out-of-state discount requires at least some merit: You typically need a $1,000+ scholarship to trigger in-state tuition rates—so getting even a small award matters a lot.
- Top Honors scholarship is extremely competitive: The President’s Elite (full tuition + stipend) is real—but only a small percentage of applicants land it, so don’t treat it as likely.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Lamar University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22; SAT: 1070.
Average net price? About $11,307/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Lamar University 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$11,428 |
$25,302 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$9,852 |
$9,852 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$21,280 |
$35,154 |
Average Federal Net Price: $11,307 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Special Tuition Waivers: Louisiana residents automatically qualify for near in-state tuition—paying only an additional $30 per credit hour instead of full non-resident fees (a savings of about $13,800 per year). Graduate students from other SREB states may also qualify through the Academic Common Market (ACM), which offers in-state rates for select graduate-level programs not available in their home state.
Who qualifies for the Louisiana tuition discount?
Any admitted student who is a legal resident of Louisiana. Proof of residency is required; no GPA cutoff applies.
How much can families save?
Louisiana students save roughly $13,800 per year compared to full non-resident tuition rates, based on 15 credit hours per semester.
Is it automatic or do we have to apply?
It’s automatic for Louisiana residents who provide proof of residency before the 12th class day. ACM eligibility for graduate majors requires a separate state-level application.
Sources:
Lamar University Cost of Attendance
Lamar University Housing & Dining Rates
Financial Aid Office – Nonresident Fee Waiver Details
Academic Common Market (SREB) Program Information
College Scorecard – Average Net Price (2022–23)
Applying to Texas public universities?
Before you assume how merit works, read the
Texas Merit Scholarship Guidelines.
We break down GPA recalculation, rank rules, “as funds permit,” renewal credit hours, and out-of-state waiver mechanics.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Lamar University awards several tiers of automatic scholarships to first-time freshmen based on GPA, class rank, or test scores. No separate application is required, but awards cannot be stacked—students only keep the highest award they qualify for. Priority consideration is given to completed applications by January 15.
Automatic
Cardinal Elite Scholars
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.3+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Lamar's automatic merit awards do not stack with each other — your student keeps only their single highest tier (so Cardinal Elite replaces Academic Excellence, Distinguished, or University Scholars rather than adding to them). The $2,000/year housing piece is tied to living in an on-campus residence hall, so if your student moves off campus at any point, that portion is forfeited for the rest of the award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Cardinal Elite is Lamar's top automatic merit tier — $40,000 across four years, paid as $10,000/year ($8,000 tuition + $2,000 on-campus housing, split evenly between fall and spring). To qualify automatically, your student needs either a recalculated weighted GPA of 4.25+ on Lamar's 5.0 scale AND top-10% class rank, OR an SAT of 1330+ / ACT of 29+. No essay, no separate application — just complete admission and Lamar handles the rest.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-10% high school seniors with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 4.25 or higher, or strong test-takers with SAT ≥1330 / ACT ≥29 who finish their Lamar admission file by January 15 and plan to live on campus to capture the full housing supplement.
Automatic
Academic Excellence Scholars
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 4.0+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Doesn't stack with the other Lamar automatic merit tiers — your student keeps only their top award. The $2,000/year housing portion requires on-campus residence and is permanently forfeited if your student moves off campus mid-degree.
💡
Strategic Detail
Academic Excellence is Lamar's second automatic merit tier — $32,000 over four years, paid as $8,000/year ($6,000 tuition + $2,000 on-campus housing, split evenly fall and spring). Qualify automatically with a recalculated weighted GPA of 3.95+ on Lamar's 5.0 scale AND top-25% rank, OR with SAT 1200–1320 / ACT 25–28.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-25% high school seniors with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA at or above 3.95, or solid test-takers with SAT 1200–1320 / ACT 25–28, who finish their Lamar admission application by the January 15 priority date.
Automatic
Distinguished Scholars
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.7+ GPA✎ ~21 ACT✎ ~1080 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Doesn't stack with Cardinal Elite, Academic Excellence, or University Scholars — only the single highest Lamar automatic award sticks.
💡
Strategic Detail
Distinguished Scholars is Lamar's third automatic tier — $20,000 over four years, or $5,000/year applied to tuition only, split evenly between fall and spring. Qualify automatically with a recalculated weighted GPA of 3.65–3.94 on the 5.0 scale AND top-25% rank, OR with ACT 21–24 / SAT 1080–1190.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-25% high school seniors with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 3.65–3.94, or test-takers with ACT 21–24 / SAT 1080–1190, who get their admission file complete by January 15.
Automatic
University Scholars
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~19 ACT✎ ~1010 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Like the other Lamar automatic tiers, this one doesn't stack — your student receives this award or a higher tier, never both.
💡
Strategic Detail
University Scholars is Lamar's entry-level automatic merit award — $8,000 over four years, or $2,000/year applied to tuition, split evenly between fall and spring. Qualify automatically with a recalculated weighted GPA of 3.50–3.64 on the 5.0 scale AND top-50% rank, OR with ACT 19–21 / SAT 1010–1070.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Upper-half high school seniors with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 3.50–3.64, or test-takers with ACT 19–21 / SAT 1010–1070, who get their admission materials in by the January 15 priority date.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: GPA and test score cutoffs are based on the most recent published award tables. All awards require full-time enrollment, and students receive only the highest award they qualify for. Housing portions are for on-campus students. Always check Lamar’s official scholarship site for the latest changes.
Do I need to submit a separate application?
No. All admitted freshmen are automatically considered; apply by January 15 for best chance.
Does Lamar superscore the ACT or SAT for scholarships?
No. They use your highest single test date composite. Submit all scores for best consideration.
Can I stack multiple automatic scholarships?
No. You receive only your highest qualifying merit award.
Sources:
Lamar Scholarships – https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/incoming-freshmen.html
Scholarship Policies – https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
Catalog Awards – https://catalog.lamar.edu/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
University-level competitive scholarships (outside of Honors College and departments) are not currently listed by Lamar University.
App Required
Smith-Hutson Scholars
📅 Deadline: Feb 1
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$18,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Approximately 78 active scholars on campus; cohort size varies each year by foundation funding. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is the closest thing Lamar has to a full ride — it's structured to cover roughly 90–95% of your student's bill, layered on top of federal, state, and other institutional aid. Combined awards can't exceed cost of attendance, so other gift aid typically reduces the Smith-Hutson amount rather than adding to it. Note that the program forbids Greek life during the first year on campus.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for Lamar admission through ApplyTexas first. Once admitted, log into myScholarships and complete the Smith-Hutson application — you'll upload an essay, two letters of recommendation, and your most recent high school transcript, and submit a FAFSA to document need. If selected, your student will be invited to an in-person interview with the foundation in April.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
The Smith-Hutson Scholars Program is Lamar's flagship need-based cohort scholarship — up to $74,000 across four years (about $18,500/year) plus a per-semester book stipend, covering 90–95% of a typical student's bill. Founded in 2012 with about 78 active scholars on campus, the program is open to Texas-resident incoming freshmen and to transfer students who have completed 60+ degree-plan credit hours or an associate's degree (transfers get up to two years of funding). To keep the award, students must enroll in 15 credits each semester, maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA (a 2.0 semester GPA triggers immediate review), submit a FAFSA every year, attend the formal fall banquet and required cohort events, and meet regularly with the program coordinator.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Texas-resident high school seniors (and qualifying transfer students with 60+ degree-plan hours or an associate's) who can document real financial need on the FAFSA, write a compelling essay, secure two strong recommendation letters, and connect well in the April in-person interview. The program intentionally picks students who'll thrive in a cohort and lean into community service, leadership, and the foundation's required mentoring touchpoints.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Lamar’s full-ride awards (e.g., Presidential, SETX Legends) require Reaud Honors College membership and will be listed in the Honors College section. Need-based selective programs (e.g., Smith–Hutson) are included in Hidden Gems.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These aren’t the headline “automatic” awards, but they can meaningfully lower costs for the right students—especially need-based programs and Texas-specific tuition benefits.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Marching Band & Music Participation
📅 Deadline: Varies; apply and audition before fall band camp (typically Jun–Aug)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$500–$1,550/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Dependent on band budget, instrumentation needs, and leadership positions winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Marching band and music scholarships typically stack with academic and other institutional aid; exact limits can vary by package.
📄
How to Apply
Audition for the Lamar marching band or music ensembles and complete any required scholarship or service‑award forms; awards are applied after completion of the marching season.
Selection criteria: Awards based on audition quality, ensemble needs, leadership roles, and successful completion of the season.
💡
Strategic Detail
First‑year woodwind and brass members earn about $550 for the season, increasing to $650, $750, then about $1,300 or more in later years; drumline and color guard typically receive at least $1,000, with higher amounts for leadership roles.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Instrumentalists and color guard or drumline members who successfully audition, participate fully, and maintain the attendance and performance standards set by the band.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Army ROTC national deadlines, generally Dec–Mar for the following fall
✓ Renews
Full Tuition
tuition_or_room_board_plus_stipend
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Set annually by U.S. Army Cadet Command winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Federal ROTC funding often pays full tuition and fees or room and board plus books and stipend; institutional scholarships may be adjusted to comply with Army and university rules.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the national Army ROTC scholarship process or campus‑based ROTC boards and coordinate with the Lamar ROTC office to select a tuition‑and‑fees or room‑and‑board option.
Selection criteria: Army ROTC scoring model weighing academics, leadership, physical fitness, and interview performance.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Typical packages include full tuition and mandatory fees or full room and board, a monthly stipend of about $420, and a yearly book allowance near $1,200 for contracted cadets.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Highly qualified students who meet ROTC academic, medical, fitness, citizenship, and service‑commitment standards and are selected by Army boards.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlygeographicserviceidentity_base
Hazlewood Exemption (Texas Veterans, Spouses, Dependents)
📅 Deadline: Jul 15
✓ Renews
Full Tuition
tuition_waiver
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Eligible Texas veterans or dependents can use the Hazlewood exemption at Lamar to waive tuition and most fees for up to 150 credit hours; living expenses are not covered.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Exempts up to 150 credit hours of tuition and most fees at Texas public institutions; may limit use of other tuition‑only veterans benefits in the same term.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Texas Hazlewood Exemption application with required military and residency documentation to Lamar Veterans Affairs and renew each term as required.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based state benefit; no competitive scoring.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition and most fee exemption at public Texas institutions; does not cover living expenses, books, or supplies.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Texas veterans, spouses, and dependents who meet state service and residency criteria and submit complete paperwork on time.
Full TuitionApp Requiredgeographicpipeline
Texas First Scholarship (Early HS Graduation)
📅 Deadline: State priority (around Jan 15); confirm with THECB
Non-Renewable
Full Tuition
tuition_and_fees_credit
✔ Stackable
⚠ For early high school graduates with a Texas First Diploma. Provides a state credit equivalent to a Full Tuition award (max TEXAS Grant amount) for 1–2 semesters. Action Required: Submit the Texas First Certificate to the financial aid office
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
State award applies as a limited‑term tuition and fee credit and can often be combined with institutional and federal aid subject to cost‑of‑attendance caps.
📄
How to Apply
Qualify for the Texas First Early High School Completion program through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, obtain the state certificate, file FAFSA, and redeem the award at Lamar.
Selection criteria: Eligibility based on early graduation criteria rather than competitive scoring.
💡
Strategic Detail
Typically covers about one to two semesters of in‑state tuition and mandatory fees; exact value and duration depend on state rules for the year awarded.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Texas residents who finish high school early under an eligible program and properly redeem the state scholarship at Lamar.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test thresholds are based on the most recent official LU publications. Requirements and amounts are reviewed annually and may shift slightly; always verify with Lamar’s financial aid and departmental pages.
- Endowed Departmental Scholarships (e.g., Computer Science, Hospitality, Political Science): portal deadline, Jan 15–Feb 1
- Leadership, club, or campus/Greek scholarships: myScholarships app, Jan–Mar deadlines
- General state and outside programs may vary; confirm annually
Sources:
Smith-Hutson – https://www.lamar.edu/financial-aid/smith-hutson.html
Hazlewood Exemption – https://www.lamar.edu/veterans-affairs/hazlewood.html
Texas First – https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/
Marching Band – https://www.lamar.edu/fine-arts-communications/music/scholarships.html
SETX Legends Scholars – https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
Scholarship Portal – https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/incoming-freshmen.html
🎖️ Honors College
The Reaud Honors College is Lamar’s hub for its most motivated students. Admission is by application, and students who join get access to smaller classes, faculty mentoring, and a community designed to push them academically and personally. For many, the Honors College is also the pathway to Lamar’s most competitive full-ride scholarships.
What a Typical Lamar Honors Student Looks Like:
Weighted GPA 4.25+ or unweighted 3.85+, Top 10% class rank, rigorous coursework (AP/IB/dual credit), plus clear leadership/service. Strong writers and students interested in research or advanced projects tend to thrive.
Perks That Matter:
- Priority registration and advising
- Honors-only housing and community events
- Small seminars and faculty mentoring
- Experiential learning — research, internships, and thesis opportunities
- Eligibility for full-ride awards (Presidential, SETX Legends) and other Honors scholarships
Full RideApp Required
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full_cost_of_attendance
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.4+ GPA✎ ~29 ACT✎ ~1330 SAT👥 ~Very small, highly competitive cohort selected annually (Lamar selected 16 Presidential Scholars in the most recent cycle). winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a full-ride package by design — tuition, fees, room, board, and books are all covered, so other institutional aid is typically displaced rather than stacked. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance, so disclose any existing scholarships on the application.
📄
How to Apply
Get accepted to Lamar first as a first-time-in-college freshman. Then submit the Presidential Scholarship application via the myScholarships portal between September 1 and January 15 — you'll upload a resume, a 500-word essay on one of three provided prompts, and 2–3 reference contacts. If selected, plan to interview with a committee between October and January. The scholarship requires committing to the Reaud Honors College for the entire undergraduate degree.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
The Presidential Scholarship is Lamar's premier merit award — a full-ride package worth roughly $100,000 across four years that covers tuition, fees, room, board, and books. To qualify, your student needs a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 4.40+ AND top-10% class rank, OR an SAT of 1330+ / ACT of 29+. Applications open September 1 and close January 15; committee interviews run October through January. Recipients must join and stay in the Reaud Honors College for the entire undergraduate degree.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-time-in-college freshmen in the top 10% of their class with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 4.40+ (or SAT 1330+/ACT 29+) who write a compelling 500-word essay, secure three strong references, and present well in a committee interview. The committee gravitates toward students who can articulate clear academic goals and who'll thrive inside the Reaud Honors College's cohort environment for all four years.
Full RideApp Required
Southeast Texas (SETX) Legends Scholars
📅 Deadline: Jan 15
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full_cost_of_attendance_last_dollar
✘ Not stackable
🏫 4.4+ GPA👥 ~Small regional cohort selected annually (Lamar named four Legends Scholars in the most recent cycle). winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a last-dollar full-ride: federal, state, institutional, and private aid are applied first, and SETX Legends fills the rest of cost of attendance — tuition, fees, room, board, and books. The final scholarship amount adjusts year to year based on other aid received, but the family's net cost should land at zero on direct costs.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for Lamar admission as a first-time-in-college freshman from Southeast Texas. Through myScholarships, submit a letter of interest with your academic goals and intended major, a current resume, three letters of recommendation, and a FAFSA documenting need — all by January 15. Selected applicants are invited to a committee interview, and recipients must enroll in the Reaud Honors College for the full undergraduate degree.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
SETX Legends is Lamar's regional last-dollar full-ride for Southeast Texas standouts — designed to cover tuition, fees, room, board, and books after other aid is applied, up to roughly $100,000 across four years. Eligibility requires a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 4.40+ AND top-10% rank, a FAFSA showing financial need, three letters of recommendation, an essay, and a committee interview. Recipients must join and stay in the Reaud Honors College throughout their degree.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Southeast Texas high school seniors in the top 10% of their class with a recalculated 5.0-scale weighted GPA of 4.40+, demonstrated FAFSA need, and visible leadership or service track record. The committee weighs leadership and creative endeavors heavily alongside grades and weighs the personal essay carefully — and selected scholars must commit to the Reaud Honors College for all four years.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
McMaster Honors Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Feb 1
✓ Renews (3.4 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,400–$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Approximately 70 Honors students funded annually. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This stipend is built to layer on top of Lamar's automatic merit awards and other institutional aid, so long as total aid stays within cost of attendance — meaning your Honors student can typically add this $1,400–$2,000/year to whatever automatic tier they earned.
💡
Strategic Detail
The McMaster fund supports roughly 70 Reaud Honors students each year with stipends of $700–$1,000 per semester ($1,400–$2,000/year). The program serves three pathways: incoming freshmen are auto-considered when they apply to the Reaud Honors College (entry threshold: 3.75 GPA and top 10%); current Lamar students with a 3.5+ GPA across 12+ college hours can apply directly; and transfers follow the same continuing-student pathway with two faculty recommendations. To keep the stipend renewing, students must maintain a 3.40 GPA, complete at least one Honors class each semester, and earn the required Honor Experiences.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong Reaud Honors students — incoming freshmen with a 3.75+ GPA AND top-10% rank, or current Lamar students and transfers with at least a 3.5 GPA across 12+ college hours — who stay actively engaged in Honors courses and the Honors Leadership Community each semester.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Tom F. and Ann D. Jones Memorial Fund
📅 Deadline: Feb 1
✓ Renews (3.4 GPA)
$500–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Several recipients each year; specific count varies with annual endowment earnings. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to sit alongside other Reaud Honors stipends and Lamar's automatic merit awards — total aid just can't exceed cost of attendance. Many Honors students receive the Jones award in the same year as a McMaster stipend.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Tom F. and Ann D. Jones Memorial Fund is a companion endowment to the McMaster Honors Scholarships — distributed by the same Honors Council on the same February 1 cycle. Mr. Jones was past chair of the Beaumont Area Educators Federal Credit Union and Mrs. Jones was a Lamar College of Business instructor; their fund adds several thousand dollars in Honors scholarships each year across multiple recipients. Eligibility, renewal, and application mechanics mirror McMaster — students keep both funds in good standing by maintaining a 3.40 GPA, taking an Honors class each semester, and earning Honor Experiences.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Active Reaud Honors students with strong academic performance — typically 3.5+ entering GPA for current/transfer students or 3.75+ for incoming freshmen — and visible engagement in Honors courses and activities. The Honors Council selects recipients each year based on academic record and Honors community involvement.
Full RideApp Required
Texas Leadership Scholars
📅 Deadline: Feb 19 · 📢 Results: Apr 13
✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
tuition_fees_housing_stipend
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Limited number of TLS spots allocated to Lamar each cycle; statewide program selects across all partner institutions. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
TLS is a comprehensive package covering tuition, fees, housing, and a living stipend — so other Lamar institutional aid is typically displaced rather than stacked, and total aid is capped at cost of attendance. Scholars also need to keep their TEXAS Grant eligibility intact each year.
📄
How to Apply
The TLS application isn't public — your student requests it from a high school counselor, teacher, or principal at their graduating Texas high school. They'll submit basic academic and leadership info, short leadership-focused responses, and rank up to three TLS partner universities (with Lamar listed). A counselor or principal recommendation must be received by February 19. Apply for Lamar admission and complete the FAFSA/TASFA in parallel. If selected, scholars commit to the program's Living Learning Community for the first two years at Lamar and join the Reaud Honors College.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Texas Leadership Scholars is a statewide program coordinated through UNT that partners with select Texas public universities — Lamar included — to fund tuition, fees, housing, and a living stipend for low-income Texas students who participate in a structured leadership and mentoring curriculum. Eligibility hinges on Texas residency, graduating from an accredited Texas public or open-enrollment charter high school, demonstrated FAFSA/TASFA need at the TEXAS Grant level, top-10% rank OR a counselor/principal recommendation, leadership and service evidence, and full-time enrollment at a TLS partner campus the fall after graduation. Recommendations are due February 19; decisions go out by April 13. Scholars maintain a 2.5 GPA, full-time status, and Satisfactory Academic Progress, and live in the program's Living Learning Community for the first two years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Texas-resident graduating seniors from accredited public or open-enrollment charter high schools who are TEXAS Grant–eligible (low-income), in the top 10% of their class OR backed by a strong counselor/principal recommendation, and show real leadership and service track records. At Lamar specifically, they also commit to the Reaud Honors College and the program's Living Learning Community for the first two years.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Is admission to the Honors College automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Reaud Honors College, though top freshmen may be invited to apply.
Does joining Honors add time to your degree?
No. Honors coursework and thesis projects are built to fit inside a four-year graduation plan.
When should students apply?
The priority deadline is January 15 for most programs, with Feb 1 (Honors awards) and Feb 17 (TLS) for specific competitive awards.
Are there extra scholarships for Honors students?
Yes—Presidential and SETX Legends (full-ride) require Honors standing. McMaster, Jones, and TLS require Honors and/or specific applications. Additional selective programs are found in the Hidden Gems section.
Sources:
Reaud Honors College – https://www.lamar.edu/honors-college/
Scholarships – https://www.lamar.edu/honors-college/scholarships.html
Presidential/Legends – https://www.lamar.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
Texas Leadership Scholars – https://texasleadershipscholars.org/
McMaster Honors (internal) – https://www.lamar.edu/honors-college/mcmaster-honors.html
⭐ College Specialty
Lamar University may not be the biggest name in Texas, but it has carved out a reputation in areas that matter to students looking for strong career pipelines. Its engineering programs are tightly connected to the energy and petrochemical industries along the Gulf Coast, and the university’s port and logistics training taps directly into one of the busiest shipping hubs in the nation. For first-gen families, that means degrees with real market value and internships that can turn into jobs.
Standout Program:
Lamar is best known statewide for its College of Engineering, especially chemical and industrial engineering. With ABET accreditation and deep ties to regional employers in energy and manufacturing, graduates frequently land well-paid jobs right after graduation.
- Port & Maritime Management — One of the few U.S. programs with a dedicated Center for Advances in Port Management, offering training tied to the Port of Beaumont and Gulf Coast shipping industry.
- Education — Lamar is recognized as a leading producer of certified teachers in Texas, with a strong statewide presence in K–12 preparation.
- Nursing — The JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing is known across Texas for its BSN and RN-to-BSN pathways, supplying a large share of nurses in the region.
- Business & Accounting — Accredited by AACSB, with strong connections to energy sector accounting and finance jobs in Houston and Beaumont.
Research Note: Lamar University is classified as an R2: High Research Activity institution under the Carnegie system, not R1.
Final Thoughts
Lamar University might not be the biggest name in Texas, but for families looking at strong value, it delivers. Between automatic scholarships that reward solid academics, hidden gems like Smith–Hutson and Hazlewood, and full-ride options through the Honors College, there are clear pathways to make Lamar affordable. Add in well-regarded programs in engineering, education, and nursing, and you’ve got a campus where first-gen and cost-conscious parents can feel confident their student will be supported both financially and academically.
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