Texas Tech University Freshman Presidential Undergraduate Scholarship 2026
The Freshman Presidential Scholarship at Texas Tech University (TTU) is a prestigious merit-based award designed to attract high-achieving students. It is automatically awarded to first-time freshmen who meet specific academic criteria—meaning no separate scholarship application is required beyond your application for admission.
Key Features and Award Amounts
For the 2026 academic year, the award amount is determined by a combination of your high school class rank and your SAT or ACT scores.
- Value: Awards typically range from $4,000 to $36,000+ over four years (distributed as $1,000 to $9,000+ per year).
- Non-Resident Perk: One of the biggest benefits for out-of-state and international students is the non-resident tuition waiver. If you are a non-resident and receive a Presidential Scholarship of at least $1,000, you qualify to pay in-state tuition rates, which can save you over $10,000 per year.
- Guaranteed Merit: These awards are guaranteed for students admitted by the priority deadline, provided they meet the test score and rank requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must be a first-time freshman (college credits earned via dual-credit or AP do not disqualify you). Eligibility is based on the following sliding scale (estimated based on 2025–2026 data):
- Test-Optional Path: Students who apply without test scores are still considered for merit scholarships through a holistic review of their application, though specific “guaranteed” amounts are usually tied to test scores.
- Non-Ranking Schools: If your high school does not rank, TTU will assign a rank based on your GPA and the school’s profile.
Important Deadlines for 2026
- Application Opens: July 1, 2025
- Priority Scholarship Deadline: December 1, 2025. To be guaranteed consideration for the highest award amounts, you should have your admission application and all supporting documents (transcripts/test scores) submitted by this date.
- Admissions Deadline for Merit Guarantee: April 15, 2026. Students admitted after this date are considered only if funds remain available.
- Test Score Update Deadline: June 1, 2026. If you retake the SAT or ACT and get a higher score, you can submit the new score by this date to potentially “upgrade” your scholarship amount.
Renewal Requirements
To keep the scholarship for all four years, you must:
- Maintain full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credit hours per semester).
- Earn at least 30 TTU credit hours per academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer combined).
- Maintain a specific cumulative GPA (usually 3.0 to 3.5, depending on the specific tier of your award).
How to Apply
- Apply for Admission: Submit your application via ApplyTexas or the Common App.
- Submit Transcripts: Send your official high school transcripts to the TTU Admissions Office.
- Submit Test Scores: While TTU is test-optional, submitting high scores is the most direct way to secure the Presidential Scholarship.
- Check Your Status: Once admitted, your scholarship offer will appear in your Admissions Portal or Raiderlink account.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting in October 2025. This allows you to be considered for additional need-based grants that can be combined with your Presidential Scholarship.