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UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Scholarships and Enrollment Communication Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs

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    Freshman

    Entering freshman if you have graduated or will be graduating from a high school and have not attended a college/university AFTER your high school graduation. Even if you have earned college credit while you are STILL in high school you are considered an entering freshman. GED and homeschool students are also considered entering freshmen as long as they have not attended a college or university after receiving their diploma.

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    Transfer

    Scholarships are an excellent way to support your academic and professional goals.

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    Graduate

    UTRGV is committed to providing scholarships and funding to outstanding graduate students.

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    About Us

    At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley we understand how difficult it can be to finance your college education; therefore, we want to inform you of the many scholarships that are available to UTRGV Students.

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    • Scholarship Team
Qualifications How to Become a Scholar? Award Amounts Renewable Requirements
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UTRGV Luminary Scholars

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Luminary Scholarship program offers the brightest incoming college freshmen from all disciplines a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in an unparalleled learning environment. By sharing unique skills and perspectives with the greater RGV community, each Luminary Scholar can enhance the experience of a fellow student or community member at any point along the academic journey. Luminary Scholars and their accomplishments will ultimately help elevate UTRGV’s status as a global leader in higher education and serve as ambassadors for the university wherever its light shines.

The UTRGV Luminary Scholarship program is a life-changing initiative that eliminates any financial burden by paying for education-related expenses associated with an undergraduate degree and or a graduate or professional degree like medical or podiatry school. The Luminary Scholarship program is unique to UTRGV and unparalleled at other institutions. While most full scholarships cover only the undergraduate years, this scholarship may also cover graduate or professional education years at UTRGV and thus allow students to complete their education debt-free.

Qualifications

Academic Achievement

Applicant must demonstrate strong academic ability, as evidenced by high school course rigor, class rank, GPA, and SAT/ACT score.
*Graduate and/or earn a high school diploma from an accredited high school or homeschool, and enroll as a UTRGV Freshman the fall immediately following high school graduation.

Leadership Experience

Applicant must demonstrate responsibility and leadership via extracurricular involvement, work, or volunteer participation while in high school.

Community Involvement

Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to community involvement while in high school.

Citizenship and Residency

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, or meet Texas residency requirements.

College Admission

Applicant must submit the ApplyTexas U.S. Freshman Admission Application, and be admitted to UTRGV by December 1.

On-Campus Residency

Applicant must complete the University Housing Application and commit to living on campus for the first two academic years. Second-year students will serve as mentors to first-year recipients.

Rio Grande Valley Employment Commitment

Selected scholars must pledge to work in the Rio Grande Valley for each year beyond their undergraduate education that is funded. For example, a three-year graduate or professional program would require a three-year commitment to working in the Rio Grande Valley post-graduation.

APPLY NOW

FAQ

How to Become a Scholar?

Step 1 - Apply for Admission

Complete the Freshmen ApplyTexas admission application and be admitted by December 1 at goapplytexas.org

Step 2 - Apply for a Scholarship

Complete the Luminary Scholars Scholarship Application by December 1 at utrgv.edu/applyscholarships

  • Submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from a high school teacher, counselor, or school administrator)
  • Luminary Scholar Essay
  • Resume (extracurricular activities, leadership positions, community service, work experience, etc.)

Step 3 - Participate in On-campus Interview

The UTRGV Luminary Scholars selection committee will review applicants and offer interviews to top candidates (not all applicants will be selected for an interview). This usually occurs in early February.

Step 5 - Luminary Scholars Announcement

The UTRGV Luminary selection committee will make final recommendations for scholarship recipients and announce finalists in mid/late Spring.

Step 6 - Apply for Housing and Dining

Students selected as Luminary Scholars are required to reside on campus. To learn more about Residence Life and submit a UTRGV Housing application at utrgv.edu/home.

 

APPLY NOW

FAQ

Award Amounts

Luminary Undergraduate – Graduate Program Scholar

Tuition & Mandatory Fees table

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Years 1 – 4

$10,000 x 4

$40,000

Room & Board

Years 1 & 2

$8,500 x 2

$17,000

Graduate Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Years 5 & 6

$9,000 x 2

$18,000

Total

 

$75,000

Luminary Undergraduate – School of Medicine Scholar

Tuition & Mandatory Fees table 2

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Years 1 – 4

$10,000 x 4

$40,000

Room & Board

Years 1 & 2

$8,500 x 2

$17,000

School of Medicine

Years 5 – 8

$20,000 x 4

$80,000

Total

 

$137,000

APPLY NOW

FAQ

Renewable Requirements

  1. Enroll in a minimum of 15* hours each fall and spring semester leading to the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
  2. Complete a minimum of 30 hours per academic year while pursuing an undergraduate degree.
  3. Maintain a 3.0** UTRGV Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
  4. Retain the scholarship for up to 4 years of undergraduate study or upon graduation, whichever occurs first.***
  5. Continue to receive the scholarship for an additional 2 consecutive years if pursuing a UTRGV graduate/professional degree or an additional 4 consecutive years if admitted to UTRGV’s School of Medicine.

Appeals Process

Scholarship recipients not meeting requirements 1, 2, or 3 may submit a scholarship appeal @ www.utrgv.edu/appeals to be considered for the award. The scholarship appeal must be submitted by the first tuition due date of the corresponding semester.


*Luminary Scholars must complete 12 of the 15 hours each term, still complete 30 hours per academic year, and maintain a 3.0 GPA while pursuing an undergraduate degree.

** The UTRGV GPA is based on all grades received in college-level courses, including courses taken via dual credit from UTRGV while in high school.

*** This scholarship terminates upon transfer to another institution or upon non-enrollment at UTRGV for any fall or spring semester.

 

FAQ

Contact Scholarships and Enrollment Communication


Edinburg

ESSBL 3.104
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, Texas 78539
Phone: (956) 665-2935

Brownsville

Visitors Center 1.113
One West University Blvd
Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 882-4026

Email:

scholarships@utrgv.edu

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

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