Program Purpose
The purpose of the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program is to provide tuition and fee assistance to students completing grades 9 - 12 early or with a significant number of college hours; thus, enabling and encouraging the student to attend college in Texas.
Eligibility Requirements
Students who graduated between 9/1/2005 and 6/14/2007 and …
- Graduated from a Texas public high school;
- Completed either the recommended high school curriculum or the distinguished achievement high school curriculum* in no more than 36 consecutive months, no more than 41 months or no more than 45 months;
- Attended high school in Texas only;
- Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement; and
- Are Texas residents.
Students who graduated on or after 6/15/2007 and …
- Graduated from a Texas public high school;
- Completed either the recommended high school curriculum or the distinguished achievement high school curriculum* in no more than 36 consecutive months, no more than 41 months or no more than 46 months;
- Attended one or more public high schools in this state for the majority of time the person attended high school;
- Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement; and
- Are US citizens or otherwise lawfully authorized to be in the United States.
* A student who does not satisfy the high school curriculum requirement will be considered to have satisfied those requirements if the high school from which the student graduates notes on the student’s transcript that the student was unable to complete the appropriate curriculum within the time allowed because the necessary courses were unavailable due to course scheduling, lack of enrollment capacity or another cause not in the student’s control.
Eligibility to receive an award through this program begins with the first regular semester or term following high school graduation (excluding the summer session between graduation and the first fall term). Eligibility ends six years later,unless the student seeks and is granted a hardship extension.
Eligible Institutions
May be used at both public and private, non-profit colleges and universities in Texas. If the award is used at a Texas non-profit private college or university, the college or university must provide a matching scholarship (or combination of smaller scholarships of matching value) to use this credit. No funds may be used to pay for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support. To access listings of Texas colleges and universities, follow this link to Texas Institutions of Higher Education.
Award Amount
- An otherwise eligible student who graduates in no more than 36 months receives $2,000 for use toward tuition and required fees. If he/she also graduates with at least 15 semester credit hours of college credit, he/she may receive an additional $1,000.
- An otherwise eligible student who graduates in more than 36 months but no more than 41 months receives $500 for use toward tuition and required fees. If he/she also graduates with at least 30 semester credit hours of college credit, he/she may receive an additional $1,000.
- An otherwise eligible student who graduates in more than 41 months but no more than 45 months (46 months for students graduating after 6/15/2007) can receive $1,000 if he/she graduates with at least 30 semester credit hours of college credit.
Application Process
To obtain an application for this program please click here to download the Early High School Graduation Scholarship application. High school counselor must submit a certification form to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the student’s behalf. The Board then assesses the student’s eligibility, determines his/her award, and if the student qualifies, sends an award letter to the student, the relevant high school and the college the student plans to attend.
Additional Information
- Questions may be e-mailed to Earlygrad@thecb.state.tx.us
- To read more about this program check out: Texas Education Code, 56.203 and Coordinating Board Rule, Chapter 21, Subchapter CC
- Contact Us!