Texas First Scholarship

Residents of Texas who graduate high school early with the Distinguished Level of Achievement are eligible for a Texas First Scholarship within their first academic year at UNT if they meet the following criteria:

  • Graduate early from a Texas independent school district (ISD) or open-enrollment charter school with a Texas First Diploma. Please see the following website for details regarding criteria to graduate with a Texas First Diploma: The Texas First Program - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
  • Are admitted to UNT as a degree seeking student.
  • Enroll at UNT within the academic year immediately following high school graduation.
  • Have not used the Texas First Scholarship at a previous institution.
  • Have registered for Selective Service or are exempt.

Texas First Scholarship Amount
The Texas First Scholarship is a first-year scholarship applicable toward first-year educational costs. The amount awarded is the equivalent of a TEXAS Grant award*. Students who graduate 1-semester early are eligible for the equivalent of a 1-semester TEXAS Grant award and those who graduate 2-semesters (or more) early are eligible for the equivalent of a 2-semester award. Awards are capped at the lesser of the maximum allowable award or actual costs.  

*The maximum 2024/2025 Texas First Scholarship awards are the following amounts:

  • 1-semester: $5,394
  • 2-semester: $10,788 (divided equally over 2 terms)

Texas First Scholarship Application Process
Students interested in the Texas First Scholarship should review the following website for eligibility criteria and contact their high school counselor to discuss graduating with a Texas First Diploma: The Texas First Program - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Students who graduate with a Texas First Diploma and meet the criteria of the program do not need to submit a separate application to UNT beyond their admissions application. 

Texas First Scholar - UNT Excellence Scholarship

New, as of Spring 2025!

In addition to the Texas First Scholarship, the University of North Texas is pleased to offer a 4-year, renewable UNT Excellence Scholarship to students who earn a Texas First Diploma, enroll at UNT as a first-time freshman in the Spring 2025 or later term, and meet the following criteria:

  • Graduate high school early with a Texas First Diploma. Please see the following website for details regarding criteria to graduate with a Texas First Diploma: The Texas First Program - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
  • Are admitted to UNT as a first-time freshman seeking a bachelor’s degree.
  • Enroll as a fulltime (12 or more hours), degree-seeking student at UNT within the academic year immediately following high school graduation.

The UNT Excellence Scholarship is available for up to 4 years (i.e., 8 semesters, fall and spring) toward a first bachelor’s degree at UNT.  Students who graduate with a Texas First Diploma and meet the criteria as outlined above will be offered a UNT Excellence Scholarship. 

Texas First Diploma - UNT Excellence Scholarship Amounts
Students who graduate with a Texas First Diploma and meet the criteria as outlined above will receive the following UNT Excellence Scholarship offer.

Graduation Requirements Award Level Award per Semester Total Award (up to 8 semesters)
Top 10% President’s Honors Award $5,000 $40,000
Top 11-25% North Texas Award $3,000 $24,000
Top 26% (and above) Scrappy Scholarship Award $500 $4,000

Learn more about the UNT Excellence Scholarship, including renewal criteria, by visiting the UNT Excellence Scholarships page.

Texas First Scholar - UNT Excellence Application Process
The application for admission to UNT is used for consideration for the Texas First Scholar - UNT Excellence Scholarship.  Please note the following deadlines for Texas First Scholars to apply for admission** and be considered for a UNT Excellence Scholarship:

  • Spring 2025 Semester: January 3, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Semester: March 1, 2025

**To meet the UNT application for admission deadline, your application for admission and all required supporting documentation must be submitted by the date listed above preceding your first term of enrollment. 

Texas First Scholar – Financial Aid

To be considered for all forms of financial aid, visit the Apply for Aid page for detailed instructions on the application process.

If you have any questions about applying for financial aid or the process itself, check out the Contact Us page for information on how to reach us by phone, in person, or online.