Frequently Asked Questions

For the Terry Foundation^® Scholarship

 

What is the Terry Foundation^®?

"The Terry Foundation^® was established in 1986 by Houstonians Howard and Nancy Terry out of a desire to help young people to help themselves. The Foundation's goal is to strengthen the State of Texas by identifying Texas high school graduates who have the promise of future leadership distinction and assisting them in developing their future and the future of those around them."
-From the Terry Foundation^®website

Who can apply?

The Terry Foundation^® provides four-year scholarships for Texas resident students attending Texas Tech University and several other Universities in the state of Texas. Terry Scholars^® are selected from a highly competitive applicant pool of incoming freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, and scholastic ability. Family income and financial aid are also considered. Current (continuing) and incoming transfer Texas Tech University students are not eligible to apply for the Terry Foundation^® Freshman Scholarship. 

To be considered for the Terry Foundation^® Freshman Scholarship at Texas Tech University, you must:

• Complete and submit your ApplyTexas or Common App application for admission no later than the December 1 priority deadline.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. (Application available October 1) The FAFSA application will determine your eligibility for federal grants and is required for all Terry Foundation^® candidates and finalists.
• Admitted incoming freshman students may apply to be part of the Terry Foundation Scholarship program by submitting a completed application for review of the TTU Scholarship Committee between October 10 and January 10 of your senior year. To determine if you might be eligible to apply for and/or receive the Terry Scholarship, please see the information below.

If I am a current TTU Terry Scholar^®, where can I find important information about my scholarship award?

Current Texas Tech University Terry Scholars^® should refer to the Foundation Scholar Handbook . The handbook is also distributed at the Terry Foundation^® Scholar Orientation each Fall semester. Current and accurate mailing addresses and a valid e-mail address are required by the Terry Foundation^®. To review or update your contact information, please go to the Scholars Only portal on the Foundation’s website.

What is the Terry Foundation^® Scholarship?

Howard and Nancy Terry are long-time residents of Houston, where Mr. Terry has been successful in a variety of businesses, ranging from banking to oil and gas. In 1986, the Terry family decided to help young people to help themselves by setting up an educational foundation. Mr. Terry had always been grateful for the financial assistance that enabled him to go to college, so they decided to dedicate their time and resources to giving future generations of young people in Texas this same opportunity.

The Terry Scholarship is intended to provide scholarships up to the cost of attendance to outstanding students (other scholarships or aid and family household contribution will be considered when determining the Terry scholarship stipend).

What are the criteria for the Terry Scholarship?

• be admitted by December 1  as an incoming freshman to Texas Tech University for the fall semester after high school graduation
• be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S,
• be a Texas resident,
• attend a Texas high school or home school in Texas,
• have a record of leadership in school and community,
• demonstrate financial need,
• and live on-campus in designated Terry Scholar^® housing during freshman year at Texas Tech University, Lubbock campus
• Required to submit one letter of recommendation and a high school transcript*

How do I apply for the Terry Scholarship and when is the deadline?

Admitted incoming freshman students may apply to be part of the Terry Foundation Scholarship program by submitting a completed application for review of the TTU Scholarship Committee between October 10 and January 10 of your senior year.

Do I need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid?

Yes, all students who are selected as Terry Scholarship recipients are REQUIRED to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15.

How will I know if I am selected as a potential scholarship recipient?

Texas Tech University Terry Nominations Committee will contact you in late February if you are one of the potential students who will be forwarded to the Terry Foundation^® for an interview. The Terry Foundation will contact the students recommended for an interview to schedule an interview time in late March to early-April.

Are interviews required? If so, when are the interviews held?

Interviews are required; potential Terry scholarship recipients are contacted by the Terry Foundation in March to schedule the date, time and location for the interview. Interviews are typically held in late March to early-April; interviewee expenses will be reimbursed by the Terry Foundation.

When will I know if I will receive the scholarship?

Interviews with the Terry Foundation are held in late March to early-April. You will learn whether you were selected to receive the Terry Scholarship in an email from the Terry Foundation. You will be notified before May 1.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I am not from Texas?

No, you must be a Texas resident to apply for this scholarship.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I am a home-schooled student?

Yes, as long as you were home-schooled in Texas and completed home school in Texas.

Am I eligible if I am admitted or will attend TTUHSC or another TTU system location?

No, you must be admitted to and attend at Texas Tech University, Lubbock campus.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I qualify as a Resident of Texas under House Bill 1403/Senate Bill 1528?

No, you are not eligible to apply.

What are the requirements to maintain the Terry Scholarship after my freshman year?

You must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall and a 2.0 GPA each semester. You will be required to attend a fall orientation session your first year and orientation lunch each year after your first, annual Terry fall banquet and the annual Terry Scholar picnic. Additionally, students are expected to abide by the Texas Tech student code of conduct as well as complete an annual Self Evaluation Letter in June.

You will receive information on these events and invitations from the Terry Foundation^®. You will receive a scholar handbook that will address in detail all the requirements.

What if I am offered other scholarships and/or financial aid and I also receive the Terry Scholarship?

You may receive that scholarship along with the Terry Scholarship, as long as the scholarships and financial aid awarded are less than the estimated cost of attendance, otherwise, the scholarships & financial aid awarded will be revised. Some institutional aid will be replaced by the Terry Scholarship.

Where can I get more information?

More information about the Terry Foundation and the Terry Scholarship selection process is available at the Foundation website at www.terryfoundation.org.

For any additional questions, you may email scholarships@ttu.edu.