Don’t let your future pass you by. BigFuture Scholarships provide you with the opportunity to help fund your postsecondary education. Whether you are a high school senior looking to fund the first year of college, or a university student who wants to attend a university of your choice, scholarships can come in handy. With that said, we have prepared this article so that you can learn more about how to access and benefit from the various scholarships available for students looking to fund their postsecondary education.
What is the BigFuture Scholarship?
The BigFuture Scholarship is a scholarship lottery program that awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school seniors each year. You can apply for the scholarship lottery if you are a senior in high school or if you are an undergraduate sophomore to graduate student.
The application period for the BigFuture Scholarship lottery is from August to September each year. Once the lottery application period has closed, the scholarship lottery results will be announced by December.
The Scholarship is funded by the Texas Education Agency and administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The THECB coordinates the application process and selects among the applicants the recipients of the BigFuture scholarships.
The THECB has stipulated guidelines for the BigFuture scholarships. The scholarships are limited to 25,000 applicants, and the awards are worth $10,000 per year, with a total of $100,000 available annually.
Types of Scholarships Provided by BigFuture
There are many different awards that the BigFuture Scholarship program offers. Some of the most common awards include the following:
Academic Merit Awards
This Academic Merits Award is for those who demonstrate academic excellence. Students who get it must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete at least 12 credit hours per semester. It centers around students who demonstrate academic excellence and maintain a minimum GPA.
Community Service/Service Learning/Research K-12 Awards
These awards are for students who demonstrate their desire to make the world a better place through service and community engagement. These awards help fund undergraduate tuition, books, and fees for the year. You can renew them for up to four years.
Financial Need Awards
These are the most common awards for students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. They provide a maximum award of $5,000 per year for tuition, books, and other college expenses.
Arts Awards
These awards are for scholars who show an interest in the arts. They can help fund undergraduate tuition, books, and fees for a year.
Computer Science Awards
These awards are for students who demonstrate an interest in computer science. They can help fund your undergraduate tuition, books, and fees for the year. They are renewable for four years.
STEM Awards
These awards are for students who have demonstrated an interest in STEM. They can help fund undergraduate tuition, books, and fees. They are also renewable for up to four years.
How to Apply for BigFuture Scholarships?
There are a few different ways to apply for the BigFuture Scholarship lottery. If you are a high school senior, send an application in August. To apply, provide your school’s address, GPA, intended major, extracurricular activities, and other information. You can also apply to your state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). If you are in college, you can also apply through the HECB. All you need to do is make sure that you select the BigFuture program as your grant/scholarship choice.
Eligibility Requirements for BigFuture Scholarship
- High School Senior
- Applicants must be high school seniors who are applying for the scholarship lottery for the first time. Or they must have completed high school. They should also be attending a postsecondary institution for the first time.
- Applicants should be in a college or university. Colleges include community colleges and technical schools. Universities involve doctoral and master’s programs.
- Applicants must have been enrolled in a postsecondary institution for at least 12 credit hours per semester and be in good academic standing.
- Applicants must be in good financial standing based on their expected annual cost of attendance.
Important Deadlines for BigFuture Scholarships
If you are a high school senior applying for the scholarship lottery, you can apply in August. If you are a college student applying for the scholarship lottery, you can do so in January. The deadline for college students to apply is March 1. If they accept you into the BigFuture Scholarship program, you must complete the application and meet all financial obligations by May 1.
Tips for Scholarship Success
For success in the BigFuture Scholarship program, you must submit your application between August and December. When you apply for the lottery, you provide your high school address and GPA. That helps the lottery program determine your eligibility for the program.
Once accepted into the BigFuture Scholarship program, you must maintain good academic standing and complete all financial obligations. When applying for the scholarship lottery, you must provide your intended college/university and a brief description of your intended major.
Costs and Benefits of BigFuture Scholarships
There are many different types of benefits and scholarships that the BigFuture Scholarship program offers, and they are listed below:
- Up to $10,000 – These yearly awards can help fund your college expenses like tuition, books, and fees.
- Up to 4 years – These awards can be renewed and funded again four years later.
- Scholarships cover all expenses – These awards do not cover travel expenses or meals. Financial assistance provided by the state – These awards are from the state, so you do not need to pay federal taxes.
- Scholarships for Future Teachers – These awards can help fund your college education, and upon graduation, you can pursue a career as a teacher.
Takeaway: Earn by Planning for College
Do you want to change your life and break away from the mundane? The BigFuture Scholarship is an opportunity that allows you the chance to do just that. With this, you can receive a financial boost toward your higher education in exchange for enrolling in one of our campuses during the summer between your sophomore and junior year. That means you will have more time to focus on your schoolwork instead of working multiple jobs to pay for tuition or other expenses throughout the year.
There are many opportunities available to you that can help fund your postsecondary education. While some may come from the state, others can come from private organizations and organizations. Search for these opportunities to ensure you receive the most out of your scholarship money.
