University of Texas at Austin Scholarships & Aid Guide

🎓 University of Texas at Austin Scholarships & Aid Guide

← Back to College Scholarships

You’re here because your kid is aiming high—and you’re wondering if UT Austin gives the kind of aid that makes it doable. This guide breaks down what scholarships exist, how hard they are to get, and what most families overlook when planning for Texas’s flagship public university.

Don’t forget to check Texas Grants and Aid. You may be leaving money on the table.

🎯 Jump to:
💰 Cost of Attendance | 📊 Automatic Scholarships | 🏆 Competitive Scholarships | 💎 Hidden Gems | 🎓 Honors College | 📄 Offer Comparison Sheet | 📝 What To Do Next

💰 Cost of Attendance at UT Austin (2024–2025)

The numbers below reflect full-time undergraduate costs for one year at UT Austin. These are estimates provided by the university and may vary depending on major, housing, and personal expenses.

Expense In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees $11,752 $42,022
Room & Board $13,058 $13,058
Books & Supplies $724 $724
Personal & Transportation $3,306 $3,306
💵 Total Estimated Cost $28,840 $59,110
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Reductions at UT Austin:
UT Austin does not offer broad merit-based tuition waivers for out-of-state students. However, select departmental or competitive scholarships (like the Forty Acres Scholarship or Honors programs) may include out-of-state tuition offsets. These are highly limited and extremely competitive.

🎯 Want a more personalized estimate? Use UT Austin’s Net Price Calculator to estimate how much your family might actually pay based on income, residency, and merit eligibility.

📊 Automatic Scholarships at UT Austin

⚠️ Quick Reality Check: UT Austin doesn’t hand out automatic merit aid based on GPA or test scores—especially not for out-of-state families. Most scholarships here are competitive and based on a full review of your kid’s entire application.

There’s no public chart. No “hit this score, get this much” formula. If you’re used to seeing automatic awards from other public schools, UT may feel like a curveball. That doesn’t mean there’s no aid—just that it works differently here.

  • 🏅 Assured Tuition Program (In-State Only): Covers 100% of tuition and fees if your family makes under $65,000. Partial help up to $125,000. No separate application.
  • 🌟 Presidential Scholars Program: A selective, invite-only scholarship for top in-state applicants. Criteria aren’t posted, and not all high scorers are selected.
  • 🎯 Honors Program Applicants: Some Honors students are considered for departmental awards, but these aren’t automatic and vary by major.

If your family was hoping for guaranteed merit based on test scores, UT Austin may not be the best fit. But strong in-state applicants—especially those with financial need—can still find meaningful help here.

💡 Don’t Miss State Aid: Your family may also qualify for grants or scholarships from the state of Texas. Visit our full breakdown here:
👉 Texas State Grants & Scholarships

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

UT Austin doesn’t automatically hand out big scholarships—but there are still major awards if your kid stands out. These are the ones worth knowing:

Scholarship Amount Eligibility Notes
Forty Acres Scholars Full ride + enrichment Top ~1% of applicants; leadership, academics, service By invitation only; apply separately through Texas Exes
Terry Foundation Scholarship Up to full cost of attendance Texas residents with need and strong academics Separate application; renewable
Presidential Scholars Program $5,000–$10,000/year Top applicants across majors Automatically considered with UT application
College/Departmental Scholarships Varies ($1,000–$10,000+) Major-specific criteria Often includes separate applications or essays
McCombs Business Honors Awards $5,000–Full Tuition Top business majors; BHP admits May include President’s and Dean’s scholarships

Most of these are highly competitive. Strong essays, clear leadership, and a cohesive story matter as much as GPA or test scores.

📌 Competitive Scholarships FAQ

📚 Does UT Austin accept ACT or SAT superscores?

Yes—UT Austin superscores both the SAT and ACT. That means they’ll use your kid’s highest section scores across multiple test dates to create their best composite score.

  • SAT: Superscored automatically across test dates
  • ACT: Superscored automatically as long as all dates are sent

No special request is needed—just send all test scores, and UT will build the strongest profile possible.

🎯 How competitive is the Forty Acres Scholars Program?

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is extremely selective—only about 15–20 students are chosen each year. Finalists tend to have:

  • Near-perfect GPAs (4.0 unweighted)
  • Top 1–2% of their class rank
  • ACT 34+ or SAT 1500+
  • Significant leadership, service, or national recognition

It’s a full-ride with enrichment perks, so competition is fierce—but high-impact students with strong stories can stand out.

📈 What kind of GPA or test scores are realistic for UT merit scholarships?

UT doesn’t publish cutoffs, but in practice:

  • In-state merit aid often goes to students with 3.9+ GPAs and ACT 32+ / SAT 1450+
  • Out-of-state students usually need even stronger profiles—or a hook like National Merit Finalist status

Most scholarships are competitive and holistic. There’s no guarantee, but strong academics paired with meaningful involvement give your kid a real shot.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at UT Austin

These aren’t plastered on the front page of UT’s website—but they’re real, and they’ve helped families like yours close the gap. Some are tied to background or community impact. Others are based on where you live or your family’s story. Many don’t require extra applications.

Scholarship Name Award Amount Eligibility
University Leadership Network (ULN) $5,000/year for 4 years Texas residents with financial need and leadership potential; no separate app required
Impact Scholarship $12,000/year Underrepresented students with strong community/service impact; automatic consideration
Texas Exes Chapter Scholarships Varies ($1,000–$4,000+) Based on student’s home region and alumni chapter; one app applies to multiple awards
First-Generation Scholars Program Varies + mentoring and support First-gen college students who qualify for need-based aid; part of a full support program
📌 Note: Most of these awards don’t require separate applications—but your FAFSA/TASFA must be submitted on time to be considered.

❓ Hidden Gem Scholarship FAQs

How do I qualify for the University Leadership Network (ULN)?
ULN is designed for Texas residents who show financial need and may be the first in their family to attend college. If your kid is from a background that’s often overlooked, this program steps in with mentoring and $5,000/year for four years. You don’t have to apply separately—just submit your FAFSA or TASFA and get admitted to UT.
What is the Impact Scholarship and who gets it?
This award isn’t about test scores—it’s about heart. UT gives $12,000/year to students who’ve made a difference in their communities, especially from underrepresented backgrounds. It’s automatic with your regular UT application, but your kid’s story and leadership need to shine through.
Are Texas Exes Chapter Scholarships worth applying for?
Absolutely. These scholarships—funded by UT alumni—range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are tied to your region. Many have fewer applicants than you’d expect. One general Texas Exes application puts your kid in the running for dozens of local awards. It’s low-effort, high-upside.
Does UT Austin have a scholarship specifically for first-generation students?
Yes—the First-Generation Scholars Program offers both funding and a support network. For a kid walking into a big, intimidating school without a family blueprint, this program creates a sense of belonging. It’s more than just money—it’s a soft landing.

📚 UT Austin Honors Programs

UT Austin doesn’t have one single Honors College—instead, it offers several college-specific honors programs for high-achieving applicants. These programs are highly selective and often come with smaller class sizes, special seminars, priority registration, research access, and sometimes additional scholarship funding.

If your son or daughter is a strong academic fit (top 5% of their class, 1450+ SAT or 32+ ACT, and a clear intellectual interest), it’s worth applying. That said, admission to these programs is not automatic—you’ll need to complete extra steps in the UT ApplyTexas or Common App portal.

Popular Honors Programs at UT Austin:

❓ Honors Program FAQs

How do you apply to UT Honors Programs?
Each honors program has its own short-answer and essay prompts, often submitted through a special section in the ApplyTexas or Common App. You must select the specific program(s) when applying to UT.
Can you apply to more than one honors program?
Yes, you can apply to multiple honors programs—just be prepared to write separate essays for each. It’s not uncommon for students to apply to two or three.
Are there scholarships tied to UT honors programs?
Some honors programs offer separate or enhanced scholarships. For example, Plan II students are eligible for the prestigious Forty Acres Scholarship, and others receive departmental awards.
Is honors worth it at UT?
For students who thrive in small seminars, want access to research, and plan to pursue grad school, honors can open doors. But it also adds workload and pressure—especially when paired with competitive majors.
📄 Compare Apples to Apples:
Download our printable College Offer Comparison Sheet to line up UT Austin’s scholarships, net price, and out-of-pocket costs with other schools your son or daughter is considering. This sheet makes it easier to see the full financial picture—before committing.
  • Apply to UT Austin as early as possible—applications open August 1 and competitive scholarship deadlines hit fast.
  • Complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1) and send it to UT Austin (School Code: 003658).
  • Submit the scholarship section of ApplyTexas or Common App—this is how you’re considered for most UT awards.
  • If eligible, apply separately to the Honors Program and Forty Acres Scholars Program.
  • Use the College Offer Comparison Sheet to compare UT to other schools on your list.

Need help making your kid’s strengths stand out? These tools were built for parents just like you:

🔝 Back to top

Still feeling unsure? UT Austin isn’t easy to win big money from—but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. If your kid’s grades, scores, or story stand out, they’re in the running. And even if the scholarships are lean here, this is just one piece of the bigger journey.

Plenty of families use strong in-state schools, outside scholarships, and careful cost comparisons to make it work. You’ve already done more than most by researching this far—don’t stop now.

🎒 Just starting this journey?
Download the free College Starter Kit to get timelines, brag sheets, scholarship tools, and printable checklists—all built for real parents.
Scroll to Top