University of Texas at Tyler Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

If you’re a first-gen parent, sorting “what it costs” versus “what families actually pay” at UT Tyler can feel confusing. This guide breaks it down in plain English—plus points you to Texas state-aid options and our full college scholarship hub so you’re not hunting across a dozen pages.

We’ll start with the real numbers (tuition, housing, average net price), then show the scholarships that matter—automatic, competitive, hidden gems—and the Honors path if your student’s aiming higher.

💰 Cost of Attendance at UT Tyler

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (15 credits/term)	$10,242	$24,040
Housing & Meals (on-campus average)	$13,756	$13,756
Books & Supplies	$2,920	$2,920
Transportation	$1,424	$1,424
Personal Expenses	$1,628	$1,628
Total (before aid)	$29,970	$43,768

Note: Tuition & fee figures above reflect the 2025–2026 tuition schedule (full-time, 15 credits/term). UT Tyler’s COA page may publish slightly different totals due to rounding or packaging assumptions; we’ll re-verify both sources during the Phase 2 fact-check.

Average Net Price: According to the U.S. Department of Education, UT Tyler students paid an average of $13,931 after grants and scholarships (no loans) in the most recent federal data year. That’s what families actually paid out of pocket on average.

Good News for Nonresidents: UT Tyler participates in statewide and limited regional waivers that can significantly reduce the out-of-state price:

Competitive Scholarship Waiver: Earn at least $1,000 in UT Tyler institutional scholarships and you can pay the in-state tuition rate. With these updated figures, that’s roughly $13,800 per year in savings. Must be requested by the census date each semester.
100-Mile Waiver: For students living within 100 miles of the Texas border; reduces statutory tuition. Must be requested by the census date.
Academic Common Market (ACM): UT Tyler indicates ACM participation for some graduate-level programs only (no current undergraduate majors). See our ACM guide for how ACM works and eligibility steps.

Cost & Waiver FAQs

Who qualifies for the Competitive Scholarship Waiver?
Any nonresident student who earns $1,000+ in UT Tyler institutional scholarships. Submit the waiver request before the census date each semester.

How much does the waiver actually save?
Using 2025–2026 tuition schedule numbers, about $13,800 per year compared to paying the nonresident rate for a full-time student (15 credits/term).

Do I need to apply for these waivers?
Yes. They aren’t automatic. Work with the One-Stop/Financial Aid office and file by the official census date.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Academic Excellence Scholarship	$2,000/year	Top 25% + 3.0 GPA OR 3.5 GPA (non-ranking/homeschool/international)	No	Yes — 3.0 GPA + 12 credits/term	Freshmen in the top 25% or strong GPAs without class rank. Test scores not required.

*GPA/test bands shown are based on UT Tyler’s published thresholds. Renewal requires maintaining GPA and credit load each year.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Is there a separate application?
No. Students are automatically considered for the Academic Excellence Scholarship once admitted.

Does UT Tyler superscore ACT or SAT?
UT Tyler’s admissions and scholarship pages do not confirm a superscoring policy. They encourage submission of your best test scores, but it’s unclear if section scores from multiple test dates are combined. Families should check directly with Admissions to clarify.

Can this stack with other aid?
Yes, but for nonresidents, once total UT Tyler scholarships reach $1,000+, you should apply for the Competitive Scholarship Waiver which lowers tuition to the in-state rate. Other stacking depends on the award letter.

What’s the deadline to be considered?
The priority date for automatic scholarship consideration is December 1 for fall admission.

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (university-level, highly competitive)

These are UT Tyler’s flagship awards—selective, university-level competitive scholarships with limited slots and extra application steps or review. They are distinct from automatic merit and from Honors/departmental awards (covered later).

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Rose Scholar Program	Full tuition & fees + on-campus housing + book stipend (select cohort)	First-time freshmen demonstrating exceptional academics and leadership; additional materials/interview may be required	Likely Yes — details published each cycle	Potentially (terms set in offer)	Top applicants with rigorous coursework, standout essays/interviews, and significant leadership/service
Patriot Scholarship (Competitive)	$1,000–$5,000/year	Admitted freshmen; competitive review (published guidance indicates ~3.5+ GPA)	No separate app (awarded during admissions cycle)	Yes — maintain GPA & full-time load per award letter	Students with strong academics plus leadership/activities; earlier applicants fare better

Notes: Final award amounts, renewal GPAs, and required materials are set in the official offer each cycle. Some flagship awards may include interviews and priority deadlines (e.g., early winter).

Flagship & Competitive Scholarship FAQs

What makes these different from automatic merit?
Flagship awards are selective and limited—think essays, interviews, and a holistic review beyond GPA. Automatic merit is granted upon admission when you meet published thresholds.

Do I need a separate application?
The Presidential Rose Scholar typically requires additional steps (application and/or interview). The Patriot Scholarship is competitive but usually awarded through the admission review (no extra portal).

Are there important deadlines?
Yes. Priority consideration generally falls in the late fall/early winter window. Apply early and watch your email/portal for scholarship tasks and interview invites.

Can flagship awards stack with the Competitive Scholarship Waiver?
If your total institutional scholarships reach $1,000+, nonresidents should request the Competitive Scholarship Waiver to pay in-state tuition. When an award covers tuition/fees, stacking follows university/state rules stated in your offer.

Do test scores and superscoring matter here?
UT Tyler considers superscored results for admission/scholarship review when tests are submitted. Strong academics, rigorous courses, and leadership typically carry the most weight for flagship selection.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards don’t usually show up on the main admissions page, but they can make a big difference for the right student. They include need-based guarantees, study abroad stipends, and state or military benefits that offset tuition and fees.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Patriot Promise (Tuition Guarantee)	Full tuition & mandatory fees (last-dollar; up to 30 credits/year)	Texas residents; household income ≤ $100,000; FAFSA filed; admitted by May 1	No	Yes — up to 8 semesters if eligibility maintained	Incoming freshmen or transfers from moderate-income families filing FAFSA on time
International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS)	$500–$2,000 (study abroad stipend)	Approved study abroad; min 2.5 GPA; essay + résumé required	Yes — via Study Abroad Scholarship Application	No	Students with clear study abroad plans and solid applications
Dorothy Bradley Brown International Studies Endowed Scholarship	$500–$2,500 (competitive study abroad support)	Junior standing (60+ credits); min 2.5 GPA; approved study abroad program; essay + résumé	Yes — via Study Abroad Scholarship Application	No	Upper-division students pursuing international study with academic and leadership merit
Hazlewood Exemption & Military Benefits	Covers tuition (and sometimes fees)	Texas veterans, spouses, and dependents who meet service/residency rules	Yes — documentation required before census date	Yes — while eligibility is maintained	Veterans and dependents who submit required state/federal paperwork
Bonnie & Scott Palmer Community Service Scholarship	$500–$1,500 (annual; varies by funding)	Students with documented community service and leadership; recommendation form required from faculty, staff, or service supervisor	Yes — scholarship portal	No (typically one-time)	Service-oriented students with strong recommendations from community leaders

*Award ranges for study abroad and community service scholarships are based on typical disbursement levels published in past UT Tyler cycles. Actual amounts may vary year to year depending on available funding.

General need-based aid and federal/state grants unlocked by the FAFSA
Departmental and talent-based scholarships (e.g., Music/Marching Band, Pharmacy, Engineering) — see department sites for details
Campus-based and student organization awards (Greek life, clubs, service groups) with amounts varying widely

Hidden Gem Scholarship FAQs

Are these awards automatic?
No. Hidden gems usually require an application or eligibility verification (like FAFSA for Patriot Promise or paperwork for Hazlewood). They aren’t guaranteed for everyone.

Do study abroad scholarships stack with financial aid?
Yes. They’re usually applied as outside resources, which means they lower what you owe but may adjust loan eligibility. They can stack with merit awards.

What deadlines matter most?
Patriot Promise requires admission and FAFSA submission by May 1. Study abroad scholarships follow program-specific deadlines. Hazlewood and military benefits must be requested before the census date each semester.

Are these awards renewable?
Patriot Promise can renew up to eight semesters if you meet the GPA, income, and credit requirements. Most study abroad stipends are one-time. Military exemptions renew as long as eligibility is maintained.

⭐ College Specialty

UT Tyler isn’t a massive flagship, but it has carved out statewide and even national recognition in fields that matter for parents thinking about future careers. From health programs with direct ties to UT Health East Texas to engineering pathways that compete with much larger universities, UT Tyler quietly delivers standout value in areas that students care about.

🏥 Nursing — Nationally Recognized
UT Tyler’s School of Nursing is one of the largest in Texas and consistently posts NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages (96% in 2024). This makes it a clear flagship program for the university and a trusted pipeline for health care careers statewide.

Undergraduate Engineering: ABET-accredited programs ranked among the Top 50 Undergraduate Engineering Programs (no doctorate) by U.S. News, with UT Tyler noted as the highest-ranked Texas public on that list.
Pharmacy (Fisch College of Pharmacy): The only Pharm.D. program in East Texas, with strong community partnerships and clinical placements.
Business & Healthcare Management: Recognized regionally for MBA and healthcare leadership programs with industry ties to UT Health East Texas.

Note: UT Tyler is classified as an R2 Research University (high research activity), not R1.

🎖️ Honors College

For students looking for more than just a degree, UT Tyler’s Honors College provides a small, tight-knit academic community within a larger university. It’s not just about tougher classes—it’s about mentorship, priority perks, and standing out when it’s time for grad school or the job market.

What a Typical UT Tyler Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA in the 3.7+ range*, rigorous AP/dual-credit coursework, strong writing skills for essays, and demonstrated leadership or service in school or community.

*Exact GPA/test bands aren’t published; this profile is based on prior cohorts and competitive norms.

Perks That Matter:

Priority registration for classes
Small, discussion-based seminars with faculty
Dedicated co-curricular programming (leadership, service, travel)
Enhanced mentorship and research opportunities

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Honors Scholars Scholarship	$10,000/year	Incoming freshmen admitted to the Honors College; maintain 3.2 GPA and good standing	No — considered with Honors College application	Yes — up to 4 years	High-achieving first-year Honors students with strong academics, essays, and leadership/service background

Honors Endowed Scholarship: $2,000/year, renewable up to 3 years. Available to incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing UT Tyler students admitted to the Honors College. No separate application required — awarded based on Honors admission and maintaining good standing.

Honors College FAQs

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must submit a separate Honors College application. Priority consideration is typically given by November 15.

Does joining Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors courses are designed to replace or enrich core curriculum classes, not extend your timeline.

Are there scholarships tied to Honors?
Yes, but they’re covered in the scholarship sections of this guide. The Honors College itself is about the academic and community experience.

What makes a strong applicant?
Strong writing in the Honors essays, evidence of leadership or service, and a history of challenging coursework.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

UT Tyler may not have the name recognition of Texas’s biggest flagships, but for families who dig a little deeper, it offers strong value. Between automatic awards, flagship-level competitive scholarships, hidden gems like Patriot Promise, and a respected Honors College, there are clear pathways to bring the cost down. Pair those savings with UT Tyler’s strengths in nursing, engineering, and health fields, and you’ve got a public university that can open doors without breaking the bank.

✅ Last updated: September 24, 2025