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Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Information for Undergraduate Students
from the College of Arts and Sciences


 

The College of Arts and Sciences makes available two types of scholarships:
1) Merit-based Academic Achievement Scholarships; and 2) Need-based H.Y. Price Scholarships.  Departments within the college and other entities at Texas Tech also offer scholarships for which Arts and Sciences students may be eligible if they apply.

 

Continuing and transfer students (not entering freshmen) majoring in Arts and Sciences may apply for the Academic Achievement Scholarships, which are awarded on the basis of academic merit and which are worth $1200 per year ($600 for the fall and $600 for the spring).  Students who are receiving Texas Tech University Presidential or Presidential Plus Scholarships are not eligible to receive Arts and Sciences Academic Achievement Scholarships.
The Academic Achievement Scholarships are available because of generous donations from or in honor of AMOCO Alumni; Arts and Sciences Ambassadors; Arts and Sciences Quest for Excellence; Robert Trent Brown; Oliver S., Lois S., and Carolyn S. Cates; the Darden Family; J. R. Goodin; R. C. Goodwin; Lawrence Graves; Bruce and Cara Pollard Herlin; C. R. "Choc" and Virginia Hutcheson; the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico; W. B. "Dub" and Mozelle Rushing; Hattie Cocke Williams; and Elizabeth J. Winer.  (Additional donors have established scholarship endowments that have not yet accrued enough money to award scholarships.)  When Arts and Sciences merit-based scholarships are awarded, they may be listed on the student's financial record with one of these donor or honoree names rather than the name Academic Achievement Scholarship.

 

Entering freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students majoring in Arts and Sciences may apply for the need-based H.Y. Price Scholarships, which carry an award of $3500 per year ($1750 for the fall and $1750 for the spring).  Mr. H.Y. Price endowed these scholarships to allow people "of good character and ability to attend Texas Tech University who otherwise would be denied this opportunity for lack of financial means."  Following the wishes of the donor, A&S sets the criteria for these awards as significant financial need, character and ability, and desire for education.  Price applicants are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 in order to substantiate their financial need.
Mr. H.Y. Price generously endowed Arts and Sciences scholarships in honor of certain faculty who had influenced his life, Professors E.L. Dohoney, Lucille Gill, John C. Granberry, Paul Whitfield Horn, Ruth Pirtle Lee, and Montell E. Ogden.  When Arts and Sciences need-based scholarships are awarded, they may be listed on the student's financial record with one of these names rather than or together with the name H.Y. Price.  Mr. Price attended Texas Tech from 1926 to 1930 despite severe financial hardships, and he went on to become a successful business person and community leader.  The scholarships provided for Texas Tech students constitute only part of the Price family's philanthropic endeavors.

 

 

Entering freshmen:  www.applytexas.org
Entering transfers:  www.applytexas.org
Current students:  www.financialaid.ttu.edu

 

Completed application forms (including letters of recommendation) for ENTERING and CURRENT students must be received on-line by February 1. Completed application forms (including letters of recommendation) for TRANSFER students must be received on-line by March 1.  Faculty from TTU who write letters of recommendation may submit those letters on-line.  Faculty will need the student's complete name or social security number. Letters should be copied and pasted to: http://recommendation.scholarship.ttu.edu . Recommenders who are not TTU faculty should mail a hard copy of their letter to: Financial Aid Office/ 310 West Hall/ Texas Tech University/ Lubbock, TX  79409-5011.  Such letters must include the student's social security number, which will be used to e-file the letter with the on-line application. 

 

Students who are double or triple majoring are encouraged to list all of their major departments on the on-line application.  Students whose major is designated as Arts and Sciences Undecided or Pre-Professional Health should use these designations on the on-line form.

 

No.  Many additional scholarships are available at Texas Tech University from individual departments, from the Honors College, and from other programs across the university.  Such scholarships may require separate application forms and may entail particular application procedures.  Descriptions of these scholarships can be found on departmental web pages, on the Honors College web page, on the Diversity Officer's web page connected with the President's Office, and on the Financial Aid web page.  A complete list of all university scholarships can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid in West Hall.  The Tips on Scholarships document on the Arts and Sciences web page contains links to various sources of information about scholarships and financial aid.
Students who complete the "Questions for College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships" may also be considered for a small number of other awards, such as the Texas Tech University Academic Citizenship Award, and other scholarships, such as the Gibbs Family Scholarship made possible through the Lubbock Area Foundation.

 

Undergraduate students who will be majoring in any Arts and Sciences department or program during the year of the award are eligible for the college scholarships.   Only students who are in the College of Arts and Sciences can receive Arts and Sciences scholarships.  That is, for example, someone majoring in History or Economics who changes his or her major to Physics or Biology would still be eligible since all of those programs are in the College of Arts and Sciences.  However, if an Arts and Sciences student changes majors to Music or Mass Communication or Mechanical Engineering or any other major outside the College of Arts and Sciences, then he or she would no longer be eligible.  Likewise, a student listed as Arts and Sciences Undecided or Pre-Professional Health is eligible for an Arts and Sciences scholarship as long as he or she is in Arts and Sciences, but if or when that student changes to another college, including Nursing or Allied Health or any other program at the Health Sciences Center, then the student can no longer receive Arts and Sciences funding because the student is no longer in Arts and Sciences.

 

Yes. 

 

One or two letters of recommendation should be submitted.  Some departments require only one letter, while other departments prefer two.  The college scholarship committee has awarded scholarships to students with one recommendation and has awarded scholarships to students with two recommendations.  If an applicant presents two letters that are very similar or if one of two letters gives only a weak or negative recommendation, then having two letters will not be advantageous.  If, on the other hand, an applicant presents two letters that describe different qualities and talents or that give specific and distinct examples of the person's qualifications for the scholarship, then having two letters would be advantageous. 
For example, if one recommendation for a merit-based scholarship praises the student's independent research interests and abilities, while a second recommendation gives a positive account of the student's contributions to insightful class discussions, then having two different letters would be useful.  Or, for example, if one recommendation for a need-based scholarship emphasizes a student's work ethic and integrity, while another letter stresses the student's intellectual achievements and desire for education despite financial distractions, then having two letters with these different points of view would be highly useful to the committee's assessment of the student's application.  In short, two letters can be but are not necessarily better than one letter.
For the merit-based scholarships, at least one recommendation should be from a faculty member – not a reference source such as a staff advisor, residence hall supervisor, or employer – who is qualified to comment on the applicant's academic accomplishments and potential for future academic success.  Furthermore, while teaching assistants, academic staff advisors, employers, and other individuals on and off campus may be asked for letters of recommendation and may provide valuable references, the college scholarship committee prefers that at least one recommendation for a scholarship based on academic merit be written by a professor (that is, someone who holds the title of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor).  Ideally, the professor will be from the student's major or minor area of study, though this may not be possible for all applicants. 
For the need-based scholarships, recommendations should be from people qualified to comment on how well the applicant meets the criteria for the scholarship: good character and ability, significant financial need, and desire for education.  While a faculty member who knows a student well might provide a sufficient solo recommendation for this scholarship, it may be that a stronger application would have one letter from a faculty member emphasizing ability and desire for education and a second letter from a coach, pastor, counselor, employer, or other source commenting on the applicant's qualifications as to character and financial need.
Faculty are accustomed to being asked for letters of recommendation and are generally pleased to write such letters if they are given adequate advance notice.  Some faculty may post on their syllabi or web sites their particular procedures or requirements about being asked for letters of recommendation.  Unless a person specifies otherwise, it is best to ask for a recommendation no later than two weeks before the recommendation is due.  If a person being asked for a letter declines or hesitates, the appropriate response would be to thank the individual for his or her consideration and then ask someone else.  Someone who hesitates or who declines a request for a recommendation may be under great time constraints at that particular moment because of other responsibilities or may not feel that he or she can give the student a winning recommendation.  Either way, a person who declines is most likely acting in the student's best interest because a rushed or reluctant recommendation is unlikely to contribute to a successful outcome.
Recipients of previous A&S scholarships who apply in subsequent years must provide a new letter or new letters of recommendation each year.  In general, it is better to ask a different person for a recommendation in subsequent years, though there is no ban on asking the same person again if the reference source writes a fresh letter. 

 

Like all parts of the application, the personal statement should be prepared carefully and should be proofread prior to submission.  A list of activities or honors, while possibly appropriate for inclusion as part of a personal statement, does not by itself constitute a personal statement.  A personal statement is the applicant's opportunity to introduce himself or herself and explain why he or she is qualified for and deserving of the scholarship.  Students aiming for the Academic Achievement Scholarship should provide details about their academic and intellectual qualifications and about their future goals.  Those aiming for the Price Scholarship should provide details about their financial circumstances, their desire for education, and their future goals.  Applicants may want to visit the Writing Center or talk to a faculty member or advisor if they aren't sure what to include in their personal statements.
Recipients of previous A&S scholarships who are reapplying in subsequent years must provide a new personal statement each year.  It is unacceptable to resend a previous statement.

 

Yes.  Prior recipients can receive Arts and Sciences scholarships in subsequent years of undergraduate study, but scholarships are not renewed automatically.  A student who receives a scholarship is welcome and encouraged to apply anew for the award in future years.  To apply again, a student needs to complete a new application form, submit a new personal statement and have a recommender supply a new letter of recommendation.

 

No.  The Academic Achievement Scholarships and the Price Scholarships offered by the College of Arts and Sciences can only be used for undergraduate study.  Fellowships, teaching assistantships, and other kinds of financial support for graduate study are available from the Graduate School, from many individual departments, and from various outside funding agencies.

 

Applications, which students must submit by February 1, are first screened and ranked by departmental scholarship committees who then forward selected applications of their choosing for review by the Arts and Sciences Scholarship Committee by March 1.   (Applications from Undecided and Pre-Professional Health students are screened and ranked by a subcommittee of the college scholarship committee prior to review by the whole committee.)  The Arts and Sciences Scholarship Committee will review the departments' forwarded applications during the month of March and will recommend to the dean which students should be awarded scholarships.  Students who are selected for scholarships will be so notified by April in a letter that will explain the terms of the scholarship.

A basic requirement is that recipients must be full-time TTU undergraduate students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences during the year of their award.  That is, a student must complete at least 12 undergraduate TTU credit hours in the fall and 12 undergraduate TTU credit hours in the spring during the year of the award.  An exception to this requirement may be considered for a student who is awarded a congressional internship or presidential internship that limits a student to 6 TTU credit hours during the semester that the student is in Washington, DC.  Half of the dollar amount of the award is applied to the student's account in the fall, and the second half of the amount of the award is applied to the student's account in the spring.  A student who graduates in December, who does not complete at least 12 undergraduate hours during the fall, or who does not enroll in and intend to complete at least 12 undergraduate hours in the spring will not receive the second half of his or her funding.  Current restrictions allow the Arts and Sciences scholarship money to be applied only to the fall and spring semesters, not to the summer sessions.  Price awardees are required to file a FAFSA by April 15, and the FAFSA analysis must show financial need that is at least the equivalent of the amount of the Price award ($3500).  Scholarship recipients are expected to write a thank you letter to the donor.  Students whose applications are selected for awards are required to return 1) a completed acceptance form, and 2) a thank you letter by the date specified in the award letter.

 

Circumstances can change between the time a student applies for a scholarship and then learns that he or she has been selected for scholarship.  Sometimes students decide to change majors to a subject outside Arts and Sciences.  Sometimes students realize that they could graduate in August by going to summer school and so decide not to return for the following year.  For a variety of reasons, students may decide not to attend Texas Tech as full time Arts and Sciences undergraduates in the following year.  By finding out in a timely way that someone is not going to accept a scholarship, the college can award that money to another applicant.
If a student misplaces an acceptance form, he or she should simply stop by 202 Holden Hall or call the Dean's office (806-742-3833) to obtain a replacement.  If the college does not receive the student's acceptance form, scholarship funds will not be transferred into the student's account.
Students are asked to write a brief letter of thanks to the scholarship donor and to include that letter when they return their acceptance form.  Suggestions about how to write a thank-you letter are included in the award notification.

 

Students who are residents of other states or other countries may be eligible for in-state tuition rather than out-of-state tuition if they receive TTU scholarships worth $1000 or more.  Thus, in general, students who are from some place other than Texas should request an out-of-state waiver.  Detailed information about residency status can be found in the Texas Tech catalog.  Questions about this matter and about any other non-academic aspects of scholarships should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.  International students may also want to consult with the TTU Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

 

By April, the College of Arts and Sciences will notify by mail or e-mail everyone whose application for an Arts and Sciences scholarship was forwarded to the college office as to the outcome of his or her application.  (Departments should notify students whose applications were never forwarded to the college office.)
The college does not mail checks to recipients.  After a student has been given approval to receive a college scholarship and has met the terms of the award, the College of Arts and Sciences will authorize the transfer of funds from the college's scholarship accounts to the student's account.  Students can view their accounts on-line or can talk to an advisor in the Financial Aid Office to verify that the Arts and Sciences scholarship has been applied to their accounts; any A&S scholarship funds awarded should appear on a student's account soon after the conditions for award have been met.  Ordinarily, the college will transfer funds for the fall semester before the end of June and will transfer funds for the spring semester before the end of November, though Student Business Services may not apply the funds until a week or so before the semester begins.  Note that the college scholarships may be listed on the student's account page with the names of the donor or the donor's honoree rather than the name "Academic Achievement Scholarship" or "Price Scholarship."  On a few occasions, in order to have the award amount total $1000 or $3500, funds may be transferred from more than one endowment account, so more than one name could appear on the student's record.

 

Students are naturally disappointed when they apply for but do not receive scholarships.  Realistically, though, there are always many more worthy and deserving applicants than there are funds to be distributed. 
While the merit-based applicant pool varies somewhat from year to year, those who receive Academic Achievement Scholarships typically have high grades (usually a cumulative gpa of 3.7 or above), a thoughtful and well-written personal statement, and a strong letter of recommendation or two from professors who comment specifically and favorably about the student's intellectual ability and academic talents.  While the need-based applicant pool varies somewhat from year to year, those who receive the Price Scholarships typically have significant financial need (usually more than $6000 per year as determined by the FAFSA analysis), a compelling personal statement, and a meaningful letter of recommendation or two with positive comments about the student's character, ability, desire for education, and financial circumstances.
There is no single factor that will guarantee the award of an Arts and Sciences scholarship.  For example, someone with a 4.0 grade average may not be as competitive for an Academic Achievement Scholarship as someone who has a lower grade point average but who has taken more classes and/or more challenging classes, better articulates his or her achievements and goals, or has a stronger recommendation from a professor who comments favorably and specifically on the student's academic achievements and intellectual promise.  Likewise, someone whose FAFSA shows $12,000 financial need may not be as competitive for a Price Scholarship as someone who has less monetary need but presents a record of demonstrating character and of striving toward educational goals and who has recommendations from people who comment favorably and specifically on the applicant's character, ability, and desire for education. 
Arts and Sciences scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.  First, the departments search for applications on the web, review and rank the applications of their majors, and then forward their selections to the college scholarship committee.  Next, the members of the college scholarship committee individually review each forwarded application form, personal statement, and letter or letters of recommendation in light of the criteria for the scholarship.  Members of the college committee take into consideration but are not bound by each applicant's ranking from his or her home department.  Finally, the college committee members meet to discuss and rank all of the applications that have been forwarded to the college office.  The college committee's ranking constitutes a recommendation to the dean as to which students should receive the college scholarships.  In other words, at the college level each application is first evaluated on its own merits and is then compared to other applications that have been submitted from across the college.  The number of scholarships that can be awarded may vary from year to year depending on the availability of funds.  Thus, it is the case that the facts of an application ranked highly enough to receive an award in one year might or might not result in a high enough ranking to receive an award in another year, depending on the applicant pool and depending on the amount of money available for distribution.
All students who apply for scholarships deserve to be proud of their accomplishments and should rest assured that the college appreciates their achievements and values their presence on campus.  Applicants who are not awarded scholarships are encouraged to reapply in future years and should know that the college appreciates their excellent work and recognizes their effort involved in applying for scholarships.  Applications not selected for funding are kept on file for the following academic year and are given consideration should any additional awards or scholarships become available.

 

Yes!  Each year we have many more deserving students than we have scholarships.  Anyone who would like to talk about contributing toward scholarships should contact the College of Arts and Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1034; our office telephone number is 806-742-3833.  We are deeply grateful to all of our donors.

 

(This information was last revised in June 2009.)