UTSA is a school a lot of Texas families have an outdated picture of. It is worth updating that picture before you start comparing offers.
On September 1, 2025, UTSA formally merged with UT Health San Antonio. The combined institution kept the legal name The University of Texas at San Antonio and now brands itself UT San Antonio. It is the third largest public research university in the state by research spending, behind only UT Austin and Texas A&M, with roughly 40,000 students, 15 colleges across six campuses, and an endowment above $1.3 billion. For a family, the practical takeaway is that a student who enrolls today has access to medical, dental, nursing, and biomedical pathways that simply were not part of this university three years ago.
The money side is refreshingly simple compared to most schools this size. There is one automatic merit award, and it runs on class rank paired with a test score. There is one big affordability program for Texas residents. There are three full-ride scholar programs with small cohorts and an early deadline. And there is one quiet rule about out-of-state tuition that is worth more than most of the scholarships on this page.
Top Scholar, Terry Scholars, Texas Leadership Scholars
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
Special Waivers Available
The money side is refreshingly simple compared to most schools this size. There is one automatic merit award, and it runs on class rank paired with a test score. There is one big affordability program for Texas residents. There are three full-ride scholar programs with small cohorts and an early deadline. And there is one quiet rule about out-of-state tuition that is worth more than most of the scholarships on this page.
Admission itself is unusually transparent. If your student ranks in the top 25% of their high school class, they are guaranteed admission with no test score required at all. Students in the second 25% are guaranteed admission with a 1170 SAT or 24 ACT. Everyone else goes to holistic review, where UTSA strongly encourages an essay and two letters of recommendation. You can apply through either ApplyTexas or the Common App, but pick one and only one.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Texas at San Antonio is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 19-25; SAT: 1000-1220.
Average net price? About $11,013/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — institutional waivers available.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Texas at San Antonio 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)
$11,476
$28,318
Housing & Meals (typical)
$16,362
$16,362
Total (Direct Costs)
$27,838
$44,680
Average Federal Net Price: $11,013 — 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.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Texas has no regional tuition reciprocity agreement, but UTSA offers something that can matter more.
Non-resident and international students who are awarded at least $1,000 per academic year through the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship are granted a waiver of non-resident tuition for as long as they keep the scholarship. That switches the tuition rate from the out-of-state column to the in-state column.
In plain terms: the $500 award tier does not reach the threshold, but every tier from $2,500 up does. A student who lands the $2,500 tier is really receiving $2,500 in cash plus roughly $16,800 in avoided non-resident tuition.
Confirm current terms with the UTSA One Stop office before you build a budget around it.
💡 The Number Not In The Table: Differential Fees
Four colleges at UTSA charge an extra per-credit-hour fee on upper-level coursework, and it is not folded into the published tuition figure above. For 2026-2027 those are the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at $42 per credit hour, the College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing at $42, the College of Sciences at $50, and the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at $55.
On a 15 hour semester where most of the load is upper-division engineering coursework, that is a few hundred dollars a term. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before junior year arrives and the bill quietly grows.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at UTSA
Why is out-of-state tuition roughly two and a half times the in-state rate?
Because Texas taxpayers subsidize resident tuition and non-residents do not get that subsidy. The gap is about $16,800 a year. What makes UTSA unusual is how easily that gap can close: a non-resident student who earns at least $1,000 per year from the automatic Distinguished Presidential Scholarship receives a waiver of non-resident tuition and pays the resident rate instead. In practice, hitting the $2,500 award tier is the real trigger.
What is the difference between Bold Promise and a scholarship?
Bold Promise is a guarantee, not a fund. If your student is a Texas resident in the top 25% of the class, your family income is $100,000 or less, and you file by January 15, UTSA promises that tuition and mandatory fees will be fully covered. It does that by assembling Pell, TEXAS Grant, institutional scholarships, and exemptions until the tuition line reaches zero. You will never see a line item called Bold Promise on the aid offer. You will just see a tuition bill of nothing.
Does Bold Promise cover housing?
No. It covers tuition and mandatory fees only. Housing, meals, books, and parking are still on you, and at roughly $16,400 a year for on-campus housing and meals, that is the larger half of the bill for a residential student. Families who qualify for Bold Promise should still file the FAFSA carefully, because Pell and work-study are what address the rest.
What is TASFA and do we need it?
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid is for Texas residents who are not eligible to file a FAFSA, generally non-citizen students who qualify for in-state residency. UTSA treats a TASFA filed by the priority deadline the same as a FAFSA for Bold Promise and state aid purposes. If your student cannot file a FAFSA, the TASFA is not a lesser option, it is the correct one.
Why do the published totals look higher than the numbers in the table above?
Our table shows direct costs, meaning what UTSA actually bills you: tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. UTSA’s official cost of attendance also folds in estimates for books, transportation, personal expenses, and loan origination fees, which pushes the on-campus resident figure past $31,000. Those estimates matter for financial aid eligibility, but nobody writes UTSA a check for them.
How much does housing actually vary?
A lot. UTSA’s on-campus housing estimate of roughly $10,500 reflects a mid-range option. Shared and triple rooms run meaningfully lower, and single rooms and two-bedroom apartments run higher. If the budget is tight, housing type is the single biggest lever a family controls at this school, more than any scholarship on this page.
Will tuition go up before our student graduates?
Almost certainly, though modestly. The UT System Board of Regents sets tuition, and UTSA’s own cost page notes that published amounts reflect the current year and may be adjusted. UTSA’s tuition has risen very slowly compared to national averages. Budget for small annual increases in tuition and larger ones in housing.
September 1: Top Scholar and Terry Scholars applications open for seniors.
December 1: Top Scholar and Terry Scholars close. This is the earliest hard deadline at UTSA.
January 15: The big one. Admission decision, Scholarship Hub general application, FAFSA or TASFA, automatic merit review, and Bold Promise eligibility all key off this single date.
May 1: Transfer deadline for fall entry, including the transfer track of Bold Promise.
June 1: Final regular admission deadline. By this point the automatic money is gone.
Parent rule of thumb: if your student is even considering a full-ride shot, treat December 1 as the real deadline. Everyone else should treat January 15 as immovable.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at UTSA
There is no application. Fall freshmen who are admitted by January 15 are automatically reviewed. What UTSA looks at is unusual: class rank paired with a test score. There is no GPA requirement anywhere in the formula. Students who apply without test scores get a committee review instead of a tier assignment.
The Actual Award Tiers
This is the whole formula. Both conditions in a row must be met, and your student receives the highest tier they qualify for.
Class Rank
Plus Test Score
Award Per Year
Triggers OOS Waiver?
Top 5%
1270 SAT / 27 ACT
$6,000
✅ Yes
Top 10%
1270 SAT / 27 ACT
$5,000
✅ Yes
Top 15%
1190 SAT / 24 ACT
$4,500
✅ Yes
Top 20%
1170 SAT / 24 ACT
$2,500
✅ Yes
Top 25%
1150 SAT / 24 ACT
$500
❌ No
Look at that last column carefully if you live outside Texas. The jump from the $500 tier to the $2,500 tier is worth $2,000 in cash and roughly $16,800 in avoided non-resident tuition. That is the single highest-leverage score improvement available anywhere on this page.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Distinguished Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
$500–$6,000/yr
✔ Stackable
✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1150 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-resident and international students who land at least $1,000/year automatically get a waiver for non-resident tuition , that's a hidden second win on top of the cash award. Plays nicely with other UTSA aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
Tiered automatic award , $500 to $6,000/yr based on class rank + test score. Worth up to $24,000 over four years, split evenly between fall and spring. Fully online students and UT-Austin CAP participants are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Fall freshmen who land their UTSA admission by Jan 15 and hit one of the published rank+test tiers , top 25% with 1150 SAT (24 ACT) is the entry door at $500, and it scales up to $6,000/yr for top 5% with 1270 SAT (27 ACT). Test-optional students get a committee review.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Distinguished Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: May 1 (fall transfers), Oct 15 (spring transfers) ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 2 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
If your student lands at least $1,000/year as a non-resident or international student, they also pick up a non-resident tuition waiver , same trick as the Presidential. Stacks with other UTSA awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Flat $1,500 per fall/spring semester ($3,000/year), good for up to four consecutive semesters , $6,000 total. Fully online programs are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfer students bringing in 24+ academic credits (dual credit and work-in-progress do not count) with a real 3.8 GPA on the receiving transcript. No essay, no interview , just the GPA and the timing.
Data last verified Jun 19, 2026.* 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: Students in fully online programs and students admitted through UT Austin’s Coordinated Admission Program are not eligible for the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship. Awards are split evenly between fall and spring and cannot be front-loaded or cashed out early.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Does UTSA superscore the SAT or ACT?
No, and it says so plainly. UTSA requires complete score reports and does not accept superscore reports. The reasoning is that a full report lets the admissions team see your student’s strongest performance across every section and test date on its own terms. Practical effect: one strong sitting is what matters, so plan test dates with that in mind rather than assuming you can combine a good March math score with a good June reading score.
Which application platform should we use, ApplyTexas or Common App?
Either works and neither is favored. Submit on one platform only, never both. ApplyTexas makes sense if your student is applying to several Texas publics, since it is one portal for all of them. Common App makes sense if UTSA sits alongside out-of-state schools on the list. One small practical difference: Common App lets you pay the $75 application fee at submission, while ApplyTexas applicants pay afterward through the myUTSA portal.
Is there a faster way to get the transcript in?
Yes. UTSA’s Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System, called STARS, lets students still in high school self-report courses, grades, and class rank instead of waiting on an official transcript. UTSA encourages it specifically because it processes faster. Given that class rank drives the entire scholarship formula and everything hinges on a January 15 admission decision, that speed matters. An official final transcript is still required after graduation.
What if our high school does not rank students?
This comes up constantly. Submit the school profile and a GPA or grade distribution report, and UTSA will assign a class rank based on your GPA, the school’s grading scale, and the school profile. If that assigned rank lands in the first quartile, your student is in the running.
What happens if we apply test-optional?
Your student still gets considered, but through a scholarship committee review instead of the published tier table. That means no guarantee and no predictable number. If the score is anywhere near a tier threshold, submit it.
Is the award renewable, and what does it take?
Yes, for up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. Renewal requires 30 UTSA credit hours per academic year and a 2.5 UTSA cumulative GPA. Falling short does not necessarily mean losing everything: UTSA has a maintenance plan that reduces the award to 70%, then 60%, then 50% across consecutive years of missing the mark, and restores it to 100% the moment you meet the criteria again.
Why 30 credit hours when full-time is only 24?
This trips families up. Full-time enrollment is 12 hours a semester, but renewal requires 30 hours a year. UTSA recommends 15 hours per semester precisely so students clear the renewal bar. Two semesters at 12 hours leaves you six short.
Is there anything for transfer students?
Yes, the Distinguished Transfer Scholarship: $3,000 a year for up to four semesters, automatic for admitted transfers with at least 24 transferable credit hours and a 3.8 transfer GPA. Dual credit and coursework in progress do not count toward the 24 hours. It carries the same non-resident tuition waiver benefit.
Can we combine this with other UTSA money?
Yes. The automatic award stacks with Scholarship Hub awards, departmental scholarships, Honors scholarships, and need-based aid. For Bold Promise students it becomes one of the funding sources that covers tuition.
UTSA runs three full-ride scholar programs, all housed in the Honors College, all covering tuition, fees, room and board, plus seed funding for study abroad and research. All three come with automatic Honors College membership. They are also genuinely small: the most recent incoming class included 10 Top Scholars, 22 Terry Scholars, and 13 Texas Leadership Scholars. Scholars from all three programs live together in Guadalupe Hall.
Which One Fits Your Student?
Program
Who Selects
Needs Financial Need?
Parent Translation
Top Scholar
UTSA Honors College
No
The pure academic and leadership play. Texas residents only. Strongest candidates are top 5% with 1440 SAT or 32 ACT plus a real service record.
Terry Scholars
Terry Foundation, with UTSA
Yes
An outside foundation with its own interview committee. Achievement plus leadership plus demonstrated need. Larger cohort than Top Scholar.
Texas Leadership Scholars
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Yes
Statewide, not a UTSA application. You apply through the state portal and get placed with a participating university. UTSA welcomed its first cohort in 2024.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UTSA?
Aid Type
Stacks?
UTSA Parent Translation
Automatic Merit (DPS)
Yes
Stacks with Hub awards, departmental money, Honors awards, and need-based aid. This is the base layer.
Top Scholar / Terry / TLS
Replaces
These are last-dollar packages covering the full picture. Treat them as your student’s foundation, not a bonus on top of other merit.
Bold Promise
Yes, by design
Bold Promise is stacking. UTSA piles up scholarships, grants, and exemptions until tuition hits zero.
Honors endowed awards
Yes
Small gap fillers, mostly $500 to $4,500. They layer on top of everything.
Outside scholarships
Yes, with a caveat
For Bold Promise students, outside awards get counted toward tuition coverage rather than added on top. Report them promptly either way.
Full RideApp Requiredgeographic
UTSA Top Scholar Program
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full tuition, fees, room & board, enrichment funding
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Texas Residents only
✎ ~32 ACT✎ ~1440 SAT👥 ~Small cohort selected from a finalist interview pool winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is the comprehensive package , tuition, fees, room and board, plus seed money for study abroad and research. It generally replaces other institutional merit, so think of it as your child's flagship aid rather than a stacker.
📄
How to Apply
Step one — apply to UTSA via ApplyTexas or Common App. Step two — log into the UTSA Scholarship Hub with your myUTSA ID, complete the General Scholarship Application, then search 'Top Scholar' and submit that specific app with your essays and reference by Dec 1 of senior year.
Selection criteria: Holistic — academic record, leadership, community service, essays, and finalist interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Four-year flagship covering tuition, fees, room and board plus enrichment funding. Application window runs Sep 1 to Dec 1 of senior year. All majors welcome , Honors College membership is automatic for recipients.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Texas-resident high school seniors who hit top 5% rank with at least 1440 SAT or 32 ACT (test-optional reviewed holistically), with a real record of community volunteerism and school leadership , small finalist cohort invited to interview on campus.
Full RideApp Required
Terry Scholars Program at UTSA
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full tuition, fees, room & board, enrichment funding
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Small cohort selected via Terry Foundation interview process winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Last-dollar four-year package covering tuition, fees, room and board plus seed money for study abroad and other enrichment. Generally replaces other institutional merit , treat it as the foundational award, not a stacker.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UTSA and submit the Terry Foundation application through the UTSA Scholarship Hub. Finalists are invited to campus to interview with the Terry Foundation selection committee.
Selection criteria: Holistic — academic strength, leadership, community impact, financial need, and finalist interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Offered in partnership with the Terry Foundation alongside UTSA's Top Scholar Program as a four-year flagship. Auto-enrolls scholars into the Honors College.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Texas high school graduates with strong academics, leadership, and demonstrated financial need who are selected by the Terry Foundation and UTSA after a finalist interview round , this is a partnership program, not a UTSA-only award.
Full RideApp Requiredgeographicneed basedpipeline
Texas Leadership Scholars (TLS) at UTSA
📅 Deadline: Statewide TLS application — typically Dec to Jan of senior year ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
⚠ UTSA’s TLS cohort for nominated Texas high‑need students, providing a last‑dollar full‑COA style package with limited slots
👥 ~Small statewide cohort selected by THECB winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Last-dollar scholarship , the program fills the remaining gap for tuition, fees, and on-campus housing after other gift aid is applied. Bring as much outside aid as possible; TLS plus your other aid covers the cost-of-attendance basics.
📄
How to Apply
TLS is a statewide nomination program. Students apply through the central Texas Leadership Scholars portal (texasleadershipscholars.org) with essays, recommendations, and supporting materials. Selected scholars are then placed with a participating Texas university — at UTSA they auto-enroll in the Honors College.
Selection criteria: Leadership, academic strength, and demonstrated financial need.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Statewide THECB-supported program launched 2022; UTSA welcomed its first cohort in 2024. Provides last-dollar funding for tuition, fees, and on-campus housing for up to eight regular semesters plus support for internships, research, and study abroad. Auto-enrollment into Honors College.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving Texas high school seniors selected by the statewide Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board process with strong leadership, academic record, and demonstrated need , fall and spring only, undergraduate only.
Data last verified Jun 19, 2026.* 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.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
When do applications open and close?
Top Scholar and Terry Scholars both open September 1 and close December 1 of senior year. There is no extension. This is the earliest deadline at UTSA by six weeks.
How competitive is Top Scholar, really?
Ten students in the most recent incoming class. UTSA is direct about the profile of applicants who typically reach the interview stage: 1440 or higher on the SAT, 32 or higher on the ACT, top five percent of the class, and a documented record of community volunteerism and school leadership. Score submission is optional but strongly encouraged, and applications are reviewed holistically on knowledge, leadership, and service.
Can out-of-state students win Top Scholar?
No. Applicants must qualify for Texas residency for higher education purposes. This is the one place on this page where being from out of state is a hard stop. Out-of-state families should focus on the automatic merit tiers and the non-resident tuition waiver instead.
How do we apply for Terry Scholars?
Apply to UTSA, then submit the Terry Foundation application through the UTSA Scholarship Hub. Finalists come to campus to interview with the Terry Foundation’s own selection committee, not UTSA’s.
Is Texas Leadership Scholars a UTSA application?
No, and this catches people. TLS is a statewide nomination program run through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students apply at the central Texas Leadership Scholars portal with essays and recommendations, and selected scholars are then placed with a participating Texas university. Applying to UTSA does not put your student in the TLS pool.
What does “last dollar” mean and should we care?
It means the program fills whatever gap remains after your other gift aid is applied. Practically, it means you should still file the FAFSA and still chase outside scholarships. The total your student receives does not shrink, the source just shifts. It also means these programs stretch further at UTSA than the same dollars would elsewhere.
Is UTSA a Stamps or National Merit partner?
No to both. UTSA does not currently offer a Stamps Scholarship or a National Merit Finalist package. If those are central to your student’s strategy, that is worth factoring into the comparison.
What should our student have ready?
Essays and a clear activities record do the heavy lifting here, since none of these programs run on numbers alone. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder are built for exactly this kind of December 1 scramble.
🧠 Parent Strategy: The Scholarship Hub Is Not Optional
Getting admitted to UTSA does not put your student in line for most of the money on this page. Almost everything below the automatic award runs through the
UTSA Scholarship Hub, and the Hub requires its own login and its own general application.
Apply to UTSA through ApplyTexas or the Common App and get your myUTSA ID.
Log into the Scholarship Hub and complete the General Application by January 15. This one form auto-matches your student to dozens of awards.
Do not stop there. Scroll the matched opportunities list and submit the ones that ask for extra questions or materials. Auto-matching only covers part of it.
Search your student’s intended major by name. Departmental funds live in the same system but often need a separate form.
Screenshot every confirmation. Notifications go to the my.utsa.edu email address, so check that inbox weekly starting in February.
Parent translation: skipping the Hub still gets you the automatic award. It also quietly costs you every gap-filler that would have made the housing bill manageable.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These are the awards that do not show up in the glossy brochure. Some are enormous for the right family. Nearly 5,000 current UTSA students are enrolled in Bold Promise alone, and most of them never filled out a scholarship application to get it.
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographicneed based
Bold Promise
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition and fees
✔ Stackable
⚠ Last‑dollar program for income‑limited Texas residents that guarantees full tuition and fees when stacked with grants and waivers.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can stack with other institutional, departmental, external or merit awards up to full cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Texas residents. Freshmen get up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. A transfer track launched in Fall 2026 covers up to four semesters for students who finish an associate degree with a 3.2 transfer GPA and are admitted by May 1. Fully online programs and UT-Austin CAP participants are not eligible, and spring and summer admits are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Texas residents in the top 25% of their high school class, with family income at or below $100,000, who are admitted and have the FAFSA or TASFA filed by January 15. Nearly 5,000 current UTSA students are on the program.
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographicneed based
SAISD to UT San Antonio Connection
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition and mandatory fees
✔ Stackable
⚠ San Antonio ISD graduates only
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Funded by stacking scholarships, grants, and tuition exemptions from federal, state, and institutional sources up to available unmet need. Nothing called SAISD Connection will appear on the aid offer, it shows up as a bundle of other funds that happens to zero out tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
A tuition promise built specifically for graduating San Antonio ISD students from middle and low income families. Covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. Does not cover books, housing, or meal plans.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming fall freshmen who graduate from a San Antonio ISD high school, qualify as Texas residents, and demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA or TASFA.
Full TuitionAutomatic⚠ Transfer Onlygeographicneed basedpipeline
AlamoPROMISE to Bold Promise (Transfer)
📅 Deadline: FAFSA priority deadline + admission (May 1 for fall transfers) ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 2 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition and mandatory fees
✔ Stackable
⚠ AlamoPROMISE completers only
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is the second half of a two part free tuition path: AlamoPROMISE covers the associate degree, Bold Promise covers the bachelor completion. Covered by a combination of scholarships, grants, and exemptions up to unmet need.
💡
Strategic Detail
Students who complete AlamoPROMISE at any of the five Alamo Colleges can transfer to UTSA and have tuition and mandatory fees covered 100% for four consecutive fall and spring semesters within a two year window. Roughly $22,000 in value. Fully online programs are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Texas residents who successfully complete the AlamoPROMISE program at an Alamo College and meet UTSA transfer eligibility. Students graduating in spring or summer are eligible for the fall term only, and fall graduates for the spring term only.
Automaticgeographicpipeline
Texas First Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Set by the high school counselor before early graduation Non-Renewable
$5,429–$10,858
✔ Stackable
⚠ Requires a Texas First early graduation diploma
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a state credit applied to the tuition bill, so it layers on top of UTSA merit and need based aid rather than replacing it. Capped at the lesser of the maximum award or actual charges.
💡
Strategic Detail
A statewide award for students who finish high school early with a Texas First Diploma at the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Graduate two or more semesters early and the credit equals a full year of the TEXAS Grant. Graduate one semester early and it is half that. For 2025-2026 the maximums were $5,429 for one semester and $10,858 for two. The offer expires at the end of the first academic year after high school graduation.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High achieving Texas public high school students who accelerate and graduate early. The Texas First Diploma does not guarantee admission anywhere, and the scholarship only pays at Texas public institutions.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College & Department Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Jan–Mar Non-Renewable
$500–$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Major-specific forms in Scholarship Hub; check department site for details.
💡
Strategic Detail
Most awards require a separate major/department form in the Scholarship Hub.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who apply in the Hub for eligible department funds.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Alumni Association Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Jan–Mar Non-Renewable
$1,000–$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Complete Scholarship Hub application thoroughly.
💡
Strategic Detail
Amounts vary, some awards up to $10,000 a year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who complete Scholarship Hub applications fully.
App Required⚠ Junior Only
First-Gen Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Feb–Mar ✓ Renews (2 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 Junior
📄
How to Apply
Apply as eligible junior via Scholarship Hub.
💡
Strategic Detail
Designed for first-generation, Pell-eligible Texas residents, must enroll full time.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Pell-eligible, first-gen Texas juniors who stay engaged with mentoring.
Apply during Scholarship Hub window; preference for first-gen Bexar County or Fox Tech students.
💡
Strategic Detail
Award and eligibility may vary; check Hub for latest.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Local first-gen students with strong need, especially Fox Tech grads.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
SOSA Marching Band Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Auditions late spring ✓ Renews
$500–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Audition/enrollment required; band participation and class commitment necessary.
💡
Strategic Detail
Annual audition/enrollment process; program may set participation/service requirements.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Skilled musicians committed to band and rehearsal participation.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
International Education Fund
📅 Deadline: Per term (Oct / Mar typical) Non-Renewable
$300–$1,500
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Application for each approved study abroad term.
💡
Strategic Detail
Available for each study abroad term; award may vary by funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
UTSA students who apply on time for approved study abroad.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Nat’l boards Oct–Mar ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition/fees or room & board + stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through national ROTC scholarship process; meet GPA, fitness, and service requirements.
💡
Strategic Detail
Award may be applied to either tuition/fees or room/board; national selection process.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who meet ROTC standards and commit to service after graduation.
Data last verified Sep 4, 2026.* 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.
Three Free-Tuition Doors, and Most Families Only Know About One
Bold Promise: the general path. Texas resident, top 25% rank, family income at or below $100,000, filed by January 15.
SAISD to UT San Antonio Connection: a separate program for San Antonio ISD graduates from middle and low income families, covering eight semesters.
AlamoPROMISE to Bold Promise: start at any of the five Alamo Colleges, finish the associate degree, transfer to UTSA with four more semesters covered. Roughly $22,000 in value on the UTSA side alone, and tuition is covered at both institutions.
None of the three requires an application. All three require that you file financial aid paperwork on time.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
Can these stack with the automatic merit award?
Yes for the departmental, alumni, endowed, and program awards. Bold Promise works differently: it does not stack on top, it absorbs. UTSA uses your merit award as one of the funding sources that gets tuition to zero, then other aid addresses housing and books. Read the award letter carefully rather than adding the numbers yourself.
What is the Texas First Scholarship and is it real money?
Very real. If your student graduates high school early with a Texas First Diploma at the Distinguished Level of Achievement, the state issues a tuition credit equal to the TEXAS Grant. For 2025-2026 that was up to $5,429 for graduating one semester early and $10,858 for two or more. Your high school counselor determines eligibility, not UTSA, and the Coordinating Board sends the recipient list to the university. The catch is that the offer expires at the end of the first academic year after graduation, so it only works if the student enrolls right away.
Our student is not from San Antonio. Are the local programs off the table?
SAISD Connection and AlamoPROMISE are geographically bound, yes. But Bold Promise is open to any Texas resident who meets the income and rank criteria, and the departmental, alumni, and Honors awards are open to everyone. The local programs are worth knowing about mostly so you can rule them in or out quickly.
When do most of these close?
The Scholarship Hub general application aligns with January 15. Individual opportunities inside the Hub carry their own deadlines, most falling between January and March. Band auditions run in late spring. Study abroad funding is per term, typically October and March. There is no single date, which is exactly why the Hub general application is the thing to do first.
Can current UTSA students apply, or is this freshman-only?
Most of it is open to continuing students. First-Gen Scholars is specifically for eligible juniors. Departmental and endowed awards frequently favor upperclassmen who have proven themselves in the major. If your student did not get much freshman year, the sophomore and junior cycles are often more productive.
Does ROTC stack?
Army ROTC scholarships come through a national selection process, not UTSA, and can be applied to either tuition and fees or room and board. They generally layer with institutional aid, but the award letter is the final word. Note the timing: national boards run October through March of senior year, which is earlier than most families expect.
Read this before you go looking for an application form: there isn’t one.
Admission to the UTSA Honors College is invitation only. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered based on the information already in their admission file. There is no separate application, no supplemental essay, and no required test score, GPA, or class rank.
That said, UTSA does publish what the typical invitee looks like: the average honors freshman is in the top 8% of their class with a 1300 SAT or 28 ACT. No minimum does not mean no bar. It means the bar is a pattern rather than a cutoff, and a student slightly below those numbers with a strong overall file is still genuinely in the running.
Invitations go out on a rolling basis between November and February, to the student’s UTSA admission email address. If it is January and you have heard nothing, that is normal. Check that inbox, not your personal one.
If your family has been through the Honors application gauntlet at other schools, this is a genuine relief. It also changes the strategy completely. There is nothing to submit and nothing to polish. The only lever you control is making the admission file itself as strong as possible, as early as possible.
The Connection Nobody Tells You About
UTSA states it plainly: Honors College invitations are aligned with the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship. If your student receives that automatic merit award upon admission, they should also receive an Honors College invitation.
That means one January 15 deadline quietly controls three things at once: the automatic scholarship, the non-resident tuition waiver for out-of-state families, and Honors College access. Miss that date and you are not just losing money, you are losing the smaller classes, the priority registration, the residential college, and the roughly $750,000 a year in Honors scholarships that only Honors students can touch.
How you get in: Invitation, based on your admission file. Nothing to submit.
Size: More than 2,800 students across all majors.
The curriculum: T.H.E., built on signature experiences rather than a pile of extra coursework. Some students finish with as few as four credits of honors courses, satisfying the rest through study abroad, internships, research, ensembles, or self-designed experiences.
On the diploma: Graduates of T.H.E. receive a diploma reading “Honors College Graduate,” and it appears on the transcript.
Housing: A residential component in Guadalupe Hall, where the Top Scholars, Terry Scholars, and Texas Leadership Scholars all live alongside other Honors students.
Honors College Scholarships
These are the awards that open up once your student is inside. Most are endowed funds in the $500 to $4,500 range, reviewed through a conditional application inside the Scholarship Hub. Think of them as gap fillers that make the housing bill workable, not headline money.
✎ ~21 ACT✎ ~1000 SAT👥 ~1–2 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $4,500 per year, renewable at a 3.25 GPA. Entering freshmen need top 10% rank plus a 1000 SAT or 21 ACT.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Entering freshmen in the top 10% with at least a 1000 SAT or 21 ACT, or upper-division Honors students maintaining a 3.25 GPA , one or two awards each year.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $4,000 per year, renewable. Open to all Honors students in good standing , one of the higher-dollar broad awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , one of the larger broad-eligibility endowed awards. Worth completing the HUB Honors app for.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Two awards of up to $3,600 per year. Financial need is required and verified by the UTSA Office of Student Financial Aid , file the FAFSA/TASFA so this one is on the table.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students in good standing maintaining a 3.25 GPA who have documented financial need and have shown academic perseverance , two awards each year.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of up to $3,500 per year, renewable. Open to all Honors students , a high-dollar broad-eligibility award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , one of the larger broad-eligibility awards. Worth completing the HUB Honors app for.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two renewable awards of up to $3,000/year. Preference for San Antonio-area ISD graduates and first-generation students , a strong fit for Bexar County students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students who have logged 60+ credit hours with a 3.0+ GPA , preference goes to graduates of San Antonio, Edgewood, Harlandale, and South San ISDs (or successor districts in Bexar County) and to Early College High School grads. First-gen applicants also get preference.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $3,000/year, renewable. Applicants are considered on merit and demonstrated volunteerism , financial need is explicitly not a factor.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students in good standing who can show real volunteer history , financial need is not a factor here, so this one rewards engaged students regardless of family income.
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1100 SAT👥 ~Up to 40 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to 40 awards of $500 to $3,000 per year , non-renewable, but high volume. Strong fit for engaged Honors students who are taking real Honors coursework.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Up to 40 recipients each year , entering freshmen in the top 20% with 1100 SAT/24 ACT, or current Honors/transfer students with a 3.25+ GPA. Must take at least 3 Honors credits each semester.
⚠ Graduate students only, not open to undergraduates
👥 ~Up to 3 per year winners/yr🎓 Graduate
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to three awards of $3,000 per year, renewable. Graduate-only , applicant must apply as a UTSA senior planning to enroll in a UTSA graduate program. Maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA for renewal.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Graduating UTSA seniors who plan to enroll in a UTSA graduate program full-time (9+ hours) , applicant must apply during their senior year.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Peter T. Flawn Presidential Honors Endowed Scholarship
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1100 SAT👥 ~Up to 12 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to twelve awards of $2,500 to $3,000 per year, renewable up to four years. Locked to College of Engineering or College of Sciences majors.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors engineering or sciences majors , entering freshmen in the top 20% with 1100 SAT/24 ACT, current students with 3.25+ GPA. Up to 12 awards.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $3,000 per year, renewable up to four years. Preference for African-American students among equally qualified candidates.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors freshmen in the top 10% with 1100 SAT/24 ACT, or transfer students with a 3.5+ GPA , preference for African-American students among equally qualified candidates.
App Required
Greehey Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship for First Generation Students
🏫 2.5+ GPA✎ ~19 ACT✎ ~900 SAT👥 ~Up to 25 per year winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to 25 awards of $2,500/year. First-gen, financial need, and South Texas county residency are all required , but the academic floor is reachable (top 50% / 900 SAT / 19 ACT). U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Participation in a designated Academic Success Program is required for the first four semesters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-generation Texas freshmen from designated South Texas counties , top 50% of class (preferably top 25%), at least 900 SAT or 19 ACT, documented financial need. Up to 25 recipients each year.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $2,000 per year, renewable. Open to all Honors students in good standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , no major or geographic limits, which makes this an easy add for the broad Honors pool.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $1,000 to $2,000 per year, renewable. Bexar County residency, Liberal & Fine Arts major, and financial need are all required , niche but generous for the right student.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors Liberal & Fine Arts majors from Bexar County with 18+ UTSA credits and a 3.30+ GPA, who have documented financial need and have shown personal perseverance.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $2,000 per year, renewable. Open to all Honors students in good standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , clean and accessible, no major lock.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $2,000 per year. Requires 15+ credit hours each semester, U.S. citizen or permanent resident status, and documented financial need.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors current or transfer students with a 3.0+ GPA enrolled in 15+ credits each semester, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with documented financial need.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $1,500 per year. Open to upper-division Honors students; preference is given to U.S. military veterans among equally qualified candidates. Transfer-from-community-college pathway is explicitly recognized.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students with 60+ semester hours and a 3.5+ GPA who have a real record of leadership, volunteerism, and community service , veteran preference among equally qualified candidates. One award per year.
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~24 ACT✎ ~1100 SAT👥 ~80 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
80 awards of $1,500 per year , by volume, the most accessible Honors scholarship. Automatically renews as long as your student stays active in Honors, maintains a 3.25 GPA, and takes 3 Honors credits each semester.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A wide pool , 80 awards each year. Entering freshmen need top 20% rank or a 1100 SAT/24 ACT; current and transfer students need a 3.25+ GPA, with three Honors credit hours each semester to stay active.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Experiential Learning Award
📅 Deadline: Rolling Non-Renewable
$500–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Submit an application through the UTSA Scholarship Hub with a proposal outlining your research project, internship, study abroad plan, or other experiential opportunity. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Supplemental project funding, not tuition. Awards typically range $500 to $1,500 depending on project scope and available funds. Apply when you have a concrete experience to fund.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students with a thoughtful, specific proposal , a research project, an unpaid internship, a study abroad plan , who can articulate budget and learning outcomes.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $1,500 per year. Open to all Honors students in good standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , open and flexible, no major lock.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Samuel A. and Pamela R. Kirkpatrick Endowed Presidential Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $900 to $1,500 per year, renewable. Requires one three-hour Honors course each semester.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good standing maintaining a 3.25 GPA and taking at least one three-hour Honors course each semester.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
William G. and Loyce Collenback Endowed Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of up to $1,500 per year, renewable for up to 3 additional years. Students receiving other grants that meet full need are not eligible , this is a true gap-filler.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time Honors students who still have unmet need after other gift aid , students whose grants already fully cover need are explicitly ineligible.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Benjamin Dean Holt III / Holt Companies Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $750 to $1,000 per year, renewable up to 4 years. Locked to mechanical engineering majors.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors mechanical engineering majors , incoming freshmen in the top 20% with 1100 SAT or 24 ACT, or transfer students with a 3.2+ GPA.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Debbie and John T. Montford Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of $800 to $1,000 per year, renewable. Open to any Honors student in good standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , no major or class-level restrictions, so a clean, accessible option for the broad Honors pool.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dr. Ruskin C. Norman and Mrs. Karen Norman Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One to two awards of $500 to $1,000 per year, renewable. Locked to natural sciences majors in the Honors College.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students pursuing a natural sciences degree , biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, and related majors qualify.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One or two awards of $500 to $1,000 per year, renewable up to four years. Locked to College of Business majors.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors College of Business majors , incoming freshmen in the top 20% with 1140 SAT or 25 ACT, or transfer students with a 3.2+ GPA.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to two awards of $500 to $1,000 per year, renewable up to four years. Financial need is required , file the FAFSA/TASFA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors freshmen in the top 10% with 1175 SAT/26 ACT, or transfer students with a 3.5+ GPA , financial need is required. Up to two awards.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
South Texas Money Management, Ltd. Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $1,000 per year, renewable. Preference for international students from Mexico.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students in good standing , preference for international students from Mexico among equally qualified candidates.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Will & Mary Hathaway Honors Program Scholarship Endowment
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Up to 7 per year winners/yr🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to seven awards of $1,000. U.S. citizenship is required. Juniors need 60+ credits, seniors need 90+ , and your student must not be graduating until at least Spring.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors juniors (60+ credits) or seniors (90+ credits) with a 3.5+ GPA who are clearly grad-school-bound and U.S. citizens , up to seven recipients each year.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
San Antonio Federal Credit Union Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $500 to $900 per year, renewable. Requires a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students maintaining a 3.5+ GPA , no major or geographic limits.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $400 to $700 per year, renewable. Modest in dollars but a nice line on a resume for any Honors major.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Upper-division Honors students who have logged at least 24 credit hours at UTSA with a 3.50+ GPA , small annual award, one recipient.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
W. Elisa Chan and Clifford Hew Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $500 to $700 per year. Preference for engineering or sciences majors among Honors applicants.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students in good standing , preference for engineering or sciences majors.
App Required
India Association of San Antonio Endowed Scholarship Fund
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $500 to $600 per year, renewable. U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student from India only. Includes a cultural essay component.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors freshmen or sophomores , entering freshmen must be top 25%. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students from India. Essay on interest in Indian culture or philosophy required.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Reverend Eddy and Mary Hall Endowed Honors Scholarship
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
💡
Strategic Detail
One award of $400 to $600 per year, renewable. Open to all Honors students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any Honors student in good academic standing , small dollar but easy to qualify for.
Stacks with the Distinguished Presidential and other UTSA merit , Honors endowed awards layer on top of automatic merit aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the UTSA Scholarship Hub by completing the Honors Conditional Application — one application puts you in consideration for every endowed Honors scholarship you qualify for.
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Strategic Detail
One award of $500 per year, renewable. Modest dollar amount but a great fit for first-gen and underrepresented students in tech majors.
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Who Actually Wins
Honors students in good standing , preference for first-generation students or those from traditionally underserved populations who are pursuing a technology field.
Data last verified Jun 19, 2026.* 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.
Award amounts and criteria reflect recently published cycles. Actual cutoffs and availability vary year to year based on endowment performance and the applicant pool.
Beyond the Endowed Awards
Honors Experiential Learning Award: $500 to $1,500, rolling deadline, for approved experiences outside the classroom.
Alvarez Opportunities Fund and Study Abroad Planning Award: separate pools specifically for enrichment costs.
Office of Nationally Competitive Awards: housed inside the Honors College, this office walks students through Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, and similar national applications. That support is a real reason to be in Honors even if the scholarship dollars are modest.
Automatic entry to college-based honors: Honors College membership opens the door to the Business and Engineering honors programs without a second admission process.
Honors College FAQs
Is there really no application?
Correct. Admission is invitation only and based on the information already submitted with the UTSA application. If you have seen a page describing an Honors priority application deadline in January or a final application in May, that information is out of date.
If there are no minimums, what actually gets a student invited?
UTSA describes it as a select group of highly motivated, achievement-oriented students, and says admission is competitive and contingent on how many seats are available in a given year. Since invitations track the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship, the practical answer is that a strong class rank paired with a solid test score is the most reliable path.
Can a student join later?
Yes. Current UTSA students are automatically reconsidered based on cumulative GPA and completed credit hours from the prior semester. A student who was not invited as a freshman can absolutely earn their way in.
Do the Honors scholarships require a separate application?
Most endowed awards are reviewed through a conditional application inside the Scholarship Hub, with an April 1 cycle for current students. Complete the Hub general application, then look for the Honors-specific form.
Does Honors mean more work?
The T.H.E. curriculum is designed around depth and experience rather than volume. Students can satisfy requirements through study abroad, internships, research, or their own designed experiences. It is one of the more flexible honors structures in the country, which matters for students in heavy majors like engineering and nursing.
Can out-of-state students get into Honors?
Yes. Unlike Top Scholar, the Honors College has no residency requirement. An out-of-state student who lands a good Distinguished Presidential tier gets the scholarship, the non-resident tuition waiver, and the Honors invitation in one shot.
If your mental picture of UTSA is a large, friendly commuter school in San Antonio, that picture is about three years out of date. UTSA is a Carnegie R1 research university, and as of September 2025 it is a merged institution: UTSA and UT Health San Antonio combined into a single university with 15 colleges across six campuses and more than 320 degree programs. It now trails only UT Austin and Texas A&M in Texas by annual research spending.
Nationally Known Program: Cybersecurity and the College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing — This is what UTSA is genuinely known for outside Texas. Cybersecurity has been a signature strength here for years, and the university has since built it into a standalone college covering artificial intelligence, cyber, and computing. For students eyeing security, data, or AI careers, this is a program with real employer recognition, in a city with a substantial cyber and defense sector to hire into.
Health Sciences (new): The merger brought medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and biomedical sciences under the same roof as the undergraduate colleges. A student starting a biology or nursing track now has an internal pathway that did not exist a few years ago. This is the biggest change to what UTSA offers families.
Carlos Alvarez College of Business: Large, well connected in the San Antonio business community, and a common landing spot for finance, accounting, management, and real estate students. Note the $42 per credit hour differential fee on upper-level coursework.
Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Engineering plus architecture and construction science under one college, which produces some genuinely unusual interdisciplinary combinations. Carries the highest differential fee at $55 per credit hour.
College of Education and Human Development: A major producer of teachers for South Texas, with state certification pathways built into the undergraduate degree.
The city as a classroom: The Honors College leans hard on San Antonio itself through programs like Citymester, Legislative Fellows, and the Archer Fellowship in Washington. For a student who learns better outside a lecture hall, that is a real differentiator.
One honest caveat for comparison shopping. UTSA admits most applicants, with an acceptance rate near 87%. That accessibility is a feature if your student’s profile is solid but not spectacular, since the automatic merit tiers reward class rank rather than a perfect application. It also means your student’s experience will depend more on what they seek out than at a school where selectivity does the sorting for them. The Honors College, the scholar programs, and the departmental research pipelines are where that sorting happens here.
🔗 Official UTSA Links
Use UTSA’s own pages below to confirm deadlines, award terms, and cost figures. Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria change year to year, so treat these as the final word over any summary, including ours.
Here is the honest summary. UTSA is one of the more mechanically simple schools your family will evaluate, and that simplicity works in your favor if you understand two dates and one rule.
The two dates are December 1 and January 15. December 1 is the only shot at a full ride, and it closes before most families have finished comparing schools. January 15 is the date that controls everything else at once: admission, automatic merit, the Scholarship Hub, the FAFSA, Bold Promise, and the Honors College invitation. There is no version of this where you file in March and catch up.
The one rule is the non-resident tuition waiver. If you live outside Texas, $1,000 of automatic merit converts a $28,000 tuition bill into an $11,500 one. That single provision does more for an out-of-state family than every other scholarship on this page combined, and almost nobody outside Texas knows it exists.
For Texas families in the top quarter of the class with household income at or below $100,000, Bold Promise means tuition is simply not the problem. Housing is. Plan your budget around that reality instead of around the sticker price.
And the school your student would actually attend is not the one you may remember. The UT Health merger turned UTSA into the third largest research university in Texas with medical, dental, and nursing pathways attached, and the cybersecurity and AI programs have real weight in a city that hires for exactly those skills. For a student who will go looking for opportunities rather than waiting to be handed them, the value here is unusually good.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
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Leo Dimilo
Leo founded CollegeReadyParent to help families cut through the noise around college costs. He researches every scholarship guide on this site directly from university sources, then translates it into the kind of plain talk you’d actually use at the kitchen table.
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