The Terry Foundation FAQs | The Terry Foundation

The Traditional Scholarship funds incoming freshmen who have graduated from a Texas high school and will attend one of the universities associated with the Traditional program the fall semester following graduation.
Traditional scholarships are available for the 2020-2021 academic year at these Texas public universities:

Texas A&M University at College Station
University of Texas at Austin
University of Houston
Texas State University
University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at Dallas
University of North Texas
Texas Tech University
Texas Woman’s University
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Sam Houston State University
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas at Arlington

No. The Terry Foundation permanently ended the Terry Transfer Scholarship Program in May 2020 and will no longer offer scholarships to students who are transferring to a Terry-affiliated university from a Texas college or community college.

In general, students receiving the scholarship (known as “Terry Scholars”) may use their scholarship at any of the participating institutions.
The Traditional Scholarship must be used during the freshman year at the university from which the candidate was nominated: it becomes portable after successful completion of one year at the nominating university. However, this rules does not apply to first year Traditional Scholars at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University at College Station — Traditional Scholarships at these two universities are portable at any time.

Satellite campuses are considered on a case by case basis. Attending a satellite campus is permitted only with prior approval from the Foundation. If a Scholar receives approval to attend another campus, (1) all mandatory functions will be held at the main campus location and attendance is required; and (2) cost of transportation to attend those mandatory functions is the responsibility of the Scholar and is not funded by the Foundation.

Terry Scholars are selected based on three criteria: (1) leadership potential and character; (2) scholastic record and ability; and (3) financial need. Each of these criteria is weighed equally and independently.

Demonstrated financial need (as evidenced by the completion of the FAFSA)
Be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident and meet Texas residency requirements
Qualify for in-state tuition and for federal financial aid assistance
Graduation from an accredited Texas high school or Texas homeschool
Apply and commit to residing on campus, in the Terry-designated residence hall, for the first year

Demonstrated financial need (as evidenced by the completion of the FAFSA)
A record of leadership in school and community
Strong academic abilities as evidenced by grades and SAT/ACT scores
Be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident and meet Texas residency requirements
Qualify for in-state tuition and for federal financial aid assistance
Graduation from an accredited Texas high school or homeschool
Apply and commit to residing on campus for the first year
Admission to a Terry-affiliated college or university as a full-time entering Freshman student for the Fall immediately following High School graduation
Nomination by one of the thirteen Terry-affiliated Texas public universities

No. The Foundation considers only students who are nominated by the universities associated with the program. Click HERE for information on how to apply at a participating university.

Yes. Terry Scholarships are not awarded without a satisfactory interview. The Foundation pays expenses incurred by candidates who are invited to interview. Read more about the interview HERE.

Separate interview committees work simultaneously in several cities across the state. During the week following the interviews, the final selections are made and the new Terry Scholars are notified by email within approximately three weeks of the interview.

A Traditional Scholarship covers up to eight full semesters of undergraduate education. The Traditional Scholarship is renewable annually at the discretion of the Directors, which is automatic unless the Scholar is notified to the contrary.

In order to keep the Terry Scholarship in effect, and in addition to any other requirements that the university may impose, a Scholar must (1) maintain at least a 2.0 term grade point average each semester, (2) maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, (3) write an acceptable annual self-evaluation letter, (4) attend the mandatory functions sponsored by The Terry Foundation, and (5) comply with the rules prescribed from time to time by the university and the Foundation’s Directors.

Taking into account other scholarships that the student may receive, the Foundation provides sufficient assistance to cover tuition, books, fees, and reasonable living expenses on campus. The actual specific amount of the stipend will vary for each Scholar, depending on the other scholarship awards and financial aid received. The Foundation encourages Scholars to apply for other scholarships or grants or any other financial assistance for which they may be qualified, so that the Foundation’s financial resources may be extended to help as many students as possible; however, it is the Foundation’s intent that Traditional Scholars will not need to incur student loan debt.

Pell Grants are federal grants of financial aid to college students whose family income falls below a certain level. Terry Scholar applicants are encouraged to apply for a Pell Grant if qualified. Receiving a Pell Grant does not disqualify an applicant from being awarded a Terry Scholarship.

Traditional Scholarship recipients are required to live on campus, in the Terry-designated residence hall, for their freshman year. After their first year, Traditional Scholarship recipients can live off campus if they wish to do so. However, living off campus can be substantially more expensive and the scholarship amount set by the Foundation is based on the estimated cost of living on campus.

The Foundation hosts three events each year:

Orientation
Banquet
Picnic

Unlike many scholarship programs, the selection as a Terry Scholar is not simply based on financial need, test scores, or grade point average. Instead, Terry Scholars are chosen because they exhibit a well-rounded personality, grounded in a desire to succeed, and a demonstrated history of community leadership.The Terry Foundation program does not consist merely of issuing checks once a semester; it is a sense of family and community. Scholars are expected to participate in Student Organizations and to be involved on campus. Similarly, Alumni often remain active and are eager to assist in many capacities. The Foundation stays in close contact with Scholars and expects current Scholars and Alumni to assist each other whenever they are able to do so. Mr. and Mrs. Terry were very proud of the accomplishments of all of the scholarship recipients and cared very much about the Scholars as individuals. The Directors and staff are committed to continuing this legacy. Scholars can be confident that the Foundation will be there to help them to help themselves.

Yes, all candidates who apply for a Terry Foundation Traditional Scholarship are REQUIRED to complete and submit the FAFSA in accordance with the deadlines specified by the nominating university.

No, you are not eligible to apply. However, we do encourage you to seek assistance from programs or foundations that work directly with DACA or undocumented students. For example, TheDream.Us and Golden Door Scholars offer comprehensive awards nationally, including at some of our partner universities here in Texas. For more information, please visit http://www.thedream.us/ or https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/

No. Students applying for a Terry Scholarship must intend to physically attend classes on the Terry-affiliated university campus. Students pursuing “all on-line” degrees will not be considered for a Terry Foundation scholarship.

Yes. Keep in mind that to qualify for funding, a substantial portion (at least 6 semester credit hours) of any semester’s course load must be in physical attendance on the Terry-affiliated university campus. Funding is not available for a course load that is primarily online work.