Scholarships

Texas Woman's University awards more than $10 million in scholarships annually, which include merit-based, departmental, endowed, and need-based scholarships. Scholarships are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, on merit, until funding is exhausted. All scholarships and amounts listed are subject to budgetary consideration and may be changed at any time without previous notice. Please refer to our Scholarships page for up-to-date information.

  • To be considered for General Academic Merit Scholarships, undergraduate students must have been admitted to TWU as degree-seeking students. No scholarship application is required for these scholarships - everyone who applies to TWU is automatically considered.
  • We encourage all students to submit the FAFSA/TASFA and apply for all other scholarship opportunities each academic year. The Pioneer Scholarship System accepts applications after July 1. Students do not need to be admitted to apply for scholarships.
     

Please follow these steps to apply

  • Scholarship applicants must first apply for admission to Texas Woman's University (TWU) through Apply Texas.
  • Applicants must create a Pioneer Portal account before applying to the Pioneer Scholarship System.  Sign in using the Pioneer Portal username and password.
  • Complete the General Application and submit to be auto-matched for all individualized recommended scholarship opportunities.
  • Review and complete all recommended opportunity applications for which you may be qualified before each deadline. Failure to complete applications in a timely manner will remove students from additional scholarship consideration.
  • Scholarship offers are subject to timely acceptance in the Pioneer Scholarship System.

Eligibility

  • To be considered for scholarships, students must have all required admission applications and academic transcripts processed by the TWU Admission's Office or Graduate Admission's Office before the application deadline. Please note that documents take time to process and be entered into the system.
  • Most scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduates and 3.2 for graduates.
  • No offers can be sent prior to admission.
  • Eligibility does not guarantee selection - a competitive process still takes place to select scholarship recipients.

Renewability

  • For renewable scholarships, students must meet the minimum requirements as stated on their scholarship offer letter. As long as requirements are met, scholarships are automatically renewed after grades are audited at the end of the spring semester (May 20).
  • Failure to meet minimum GPA requirements may cause the scholarship to be canceled. Most scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduates and 3.2 for graduates.
  • Failure to meet minimum enrollment requirements may cause the scholarship to be canceled. Most scholarships require a minimum of 12 credit hours of enrollment for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduates.
  • Typically, renewable scholarships may be held for a total of:
    • four consecutive years or completion of degree for first-time-in-college students,
    • two to three consecutive years for transfer students (depending on the number of hours transferred),
    • two consecutive years for master's students,
    • three consecutive years for MFA students,
    • three consecutive years for doctoral students.

Award Notifications

  • All award notifications are sent to the student's TWU email account.
  • Awards must be accepted through the Pioneer Scholarship System, including Post-Acceptance questions (if applicable). Scholarships will not post to student accounts until these steps are completed.
  • Scholarship awards are made in the Fall and Spring semesters, unless otherwise stated.
  • Scholarships will post as anticipated aid and will disburse to student accounts after minimum enrollment requirements have been determined.
  • Lack of attendance voids scholarship offers. Scholarship recipients who defer admission forfeit their scholarship offers and must compete for scholarships again if they decide to later attend.

First-Time-In-College Scholarships

Zero Tuition Guarantee

The Zero Tuition Guarantee helps eligible students pay the gap between regular tuition and mandatory fees and what is paid through the Federal Pell Grant and other gift aid (i.e. institutional scholarships, other federal grants, state grants and institutional grants). For further information, please visit - https://twu.edu/zero

Terry Foundation Scholarship

Terry Scholarships are available to selected entering first-time-in-college students annually. Specific eligibility requirements and the application deadlines can be found at TWU's Terry Foundation Scholarship webpage. 

The Terry Foundation is a Houston-based organization founded to provide scholarships to outstanding Texas high school graduates for attendance at public universities within the state. Established in 1986 by Houston philanthropists Howard and Nancy Terry, the Foundation has assisted hundreds of Terry Scholars in meeting the Founders’ goal of helping young people to help themselves.

This first-time-in-college scholarship provides up to full tuition, fees, room and board on campus, books, and supplies. This scholarship is renewable for four years if all scholarship requirements are maintained. Recipients must live on campus (at least the first year), maintaining full-time enrollment, maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, file the FASFA application each year, write to the Terry Foundation a self-evaluation letter each year and attend all functions sponsored by the Terry Foundation.

Jane Nelson Institute Legacy Leaders Scholarship

Students who are selected to join the Legacy Leaders Program demonstrate the ability to lead, have high academic standards, and are invested in learning more about government and non-profit organizations to become future community leaders and influencers. Legacy Leaders will participate in a host of programs and opportunities that will expand their knowledge and networks. Students will actively participate in the program each year. Participation will include monthly symposiums and/or up to 30-hours of community service/internship requirements.

An $11,000 scholarship is awarded to Legacy Leaders and is renewable for up to four years if all requirements are maintained. This scholarship cannot be combined with  other institutional scholarships, but may be combined with departmental scholarships or donor-named general scholarships and federal aid. Students must meet both academic and participatory requirements for scholarship renewal. Minimum required GPA is 3.0. Demonstrated ability to lead in high school or community and successful completion of an interview are also required. A scholarship application must be completed in the Pioneer Scholarship System.

TWU Chancellor’s Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship provides full tuition, mandatory fees (excluding room and board), and a book stipend for up to four years. One recipient is chosen from the new TWU applicant pool, no scholarship application is required. A minimum GPA of 3.25 and all other scholarship requirements must be maintained in order to continue the award.

TWU Honors Scholarship

This scholarship provides $2,500 per academic year and is renewable for up to four years. Recipients are chosen from among the Honors Scholars Program applicant pool. (Visit the Honors Scholars Program page for more information). A scholarship application must be completed in the Pioneer Scholarship System. This scholarship may be combined with other Texas Woman's University institutional academic merit scholarships.

TWU President's Leadership Council Scholarship

The President’s Leadership Council (PLC) Scholarship Program is open to first-time in college students starting in the fall semester. Students who are selected to join the President’s Leadership Council demonstrate the ability to lead, have high academic standards, and are committed to being leaders at Texas Woman's University. First-year PLC students are given unique opportunities to explore and develop their leadership skills together. This includes, but is not limited to, participating in the PLC Living Learning Community and opportunities to interact with TWU’s Chancellor and President. At the end of the first year, PLC members are equipped to be involved in campus life and take on leadership roles.

A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to PLC students and is renewable for up to four years. This scholarship cannot be combined with other Texas Woman's University institutional scholarships, but may be combined with departmental scholarships or donor-named general scholarships and federal aid. Students must meet both academic and participatory requirements in order for the scholarship to be renewed. Selection criteria is based on a combination of GPA (3.0 minimum), SAT/ACT scores (if available), high school ranking, demonstrated ability to lead in high school or community as illustrated through the Leadership Resume and Essays, and successful completion of an interview. Please apply for this opportunity through the Pioneer Scholarship System.

TWU General Academic Merit Scholarships

Entering first-time-in-college and transfer students with less than 13 semester credit hours (excluding dual semester credit hours) may be eligible for TWU General Academic Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to TWU applicants based on the combination of high school grade point average, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores (if available). No scholarship application is required. TWU General Academic Merit Scholarships are awarded at the following levels (amounts vary):

  • TWU Oakley Scholarship 
  • TWU Outstanding Scholarship 
  • TWU Excellence Scholarship 
  • TWU Pioneer Scholarship
  • TWU Boldly Go!

TWU General Academic Merit Scholarships may be held for a total of 4 years as long as a 3.0 GPA and all other scholarship requirements are maintained.

Dieb-McDavid Scholarship Program

This scholarship is available to selected entering first-time-in-college students who graduate from Denton High School. The Dieb-MacDavid is a last-dollar scholarship providing funds up to $5000 per academic year at Texas Woman’s University to cover tuition and fees that have not been covered by other grants or scholarships. It may be held for a total of four consecutive academic years, as long as requirements are maintained. For more information on eligibility, please visit the Scholar Programs website.

In addition to financial support, the Dieb-McDavid Scholars will have access to the Director of Scholar Programs who will serve as a mentor and will assist with academic support services, provide access to student support resources and monitor academic progress through graduation.

TWU Promises

Building on a legacy of providing a top-notch education to local high school graduates, Texas Woman’s launched partnerships with several high schools and community colleges in Texas. These partnerships provide scholarships, assured admission or support to top students. Please visit https://twu.edu/twu-promises/ for further information.

Entering Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships

New Transfer Student Scholarship

Undergraduate students transferring to TWU from accredited community colleges or four-year universities with at least 13 semester credit hours may qualify for this scholarship. Awards are at least $2,000 per year for up to three years or completion of the bachelor’s degree, whichever is shorter. This scholarship is awarded based on a combination of cumulative grade point average and the number of semester credit hours transferred to TWU. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for this scholarship. There is no application required for this scholarship.

InnovateHER Entrepreneurial Scholarship

The InnovateHER Entrepreneurial Scholarship program (formerly Minerva Entrepreneurial Scholarship) helps graduate, post-baccalaureate and undergraduate women foster the spirit of entrepreneurship and become future business owners. This scholarship provides $5,000 per academic year and it is not renewable. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, enroll full-time and have and undergraduate applicants must have earned at least 40 semester credit hours to be considered. Applications are available in the Pioneer Scholarship System.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Undergraduate students transferring to TWU for the fall semester who are active members of Phi Theta Kappa in good standing may apply for this scholarship. Documentation of membership must be submitted through the Pioneer Scholarship System. Full-time enrollment and a 3.5 grade point average are required. This $500 award/year may be held for up to two years or completion of the bachelor’s degree, whichever is shorter, as long as scholarship requirements are maintained. Post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for this scholarship.

TWU Touchstone Honors Scholarship

This scholarship is primarily designed for undergraduate students transferring to TWU. Recipients must enroll full-time and maintain a 3.3 grade point average. Recipients must maintain progress toward completing Honors requirements with an average of 6 hours per year.  Awards are $2,000 per year for up to two years if all criteria continue to be met. Applications are available in the Pioneer Scholarship System.

Other Scholarships for New and Returning Undergraduate Students

Departmental Scholarships

Hundreds of endowed and donor-gifted scholarships are awarded each year. Most academic departments and alumni groups have scholarship funds available. Department awards are selected from applications made through the TWU online scholarship system prior to the March 1 deadline. Awards are predominately made based on academic achievement and major. Applications are available in the Pioneer Scholarship System.

Additional scholarship information is available on the TWU Scholarships webpage.