Scholarships
Invest in Success
Need help paying for college? We award over $10 million in scholarships each year. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, volunteer services, employment and financial need.
At East Texas A&M, scholarships are designed to reward, encourage and assist graduate students in pursuing their studies, research and other goals. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, volunteer services, employment and financial need.
Next Step Scholarship
The Next Step Senior Scholarship is a one-time non-competitive scholarship available for graduate students and doctoral students graduating from East Texas A&M and returning for graduate school. Funding for this scholarship is limited. Check the webpage for updates on when applications open.
Back to menuDonor-Funded and Departmental Scholarship Opportunities
Deadline: March 1, 2026 or April 12, 2026
Admitted students can apply for donor-funded and departmental scholarship opportunities by completing matching questions and submitting applications. Students admitted to a CBE (Competency-Based Education) program or accepted under the PSA program are not eligible to apply for donor-funded scholarships.
The scholarship application cycle for donor-funded and departmental scholarships begins December 1. After applying, be sure to check the portal frequently for any new opportunities that may have opened up.Offer notifications will be sent via the student myLeo email address. Any offers need to be accepted by the acceptance deadlines. Any awards not accepted by the deadlines will be canceled and funds offered to other students. Canceled offers will not be reinstated.
Complete Matching Questions
Begin the scholarship application process by answering a set of matching questions in the Scholarship Portal. These questions are designed to identify scholarships you may qualify for based on your unique circumstances.
View Matched Scholarships
After every 10 questions, you will be shown a list of scholarships that match your answers so far. Review the list to explore your options.
Submit Applications
For each matched scholarship:
- Click to view the scholarship details.
- Complete the application form for that specific scholarship.
- Submit your application directly through the portal.
Note: If the application is the same for multiple scholarships, your answers will transfer automatically. However, you must still review and submit each application individually to ensure accuracy.
Save and Return
You can save your progress at any time by selecting the “Save and Keep Editing” option. This allows you to return later to complete your application process.
Need Help?
- Short Videos Coming Soon: We are currently creating helpful short videos to guide you through the application process. Check back soon!
- Questions?: Contact us at [email protected] for assistance.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify applicants via their LeoMail account if a scholarship offer has been made.
March 1, 2026 or April 12, 2026
As new scholarship opportunities are added regularly, please continue to log in to the Scholarship Portal for any new scholarship opportunities that may become available.
It is suggested that you ask a reference for permission to use them as a reference. Once you have applied, let them know to expect an email with instructions. This will assist with the timely completion of your reference.
If you have additional questions regarding the Scholarship Portal or the General Scholarship Application, please email [email protected].
East Texas A&M Graduate Scholarships
- Keith & Nancy McFarland Scholarship
- H. M. Lafferty Doctoral Scholarship
- Jerry & Marilyn Morris Scholarship
- J. Cullen Sowers Graduate Scholarship
- Graduate Fellowship Endowment
- Nancy Ruth Lenoir Memorial Endowment
- Doctoral Student Scholarship Fund
- Drs. Wilfred and Bobbie Dietrich Endowment
- Multi-Cultural Alumni Endowment
Fellowships
The Graduate School has limited funds to support summer fellowships on a competitive basis for master’s, specialist, and doctoral students who are in the final stage of completing their thesis or dissertation. These fellowships are for students who plan to spend the majority of the summer completing their thesis or dissertation and plan to graduate at the end of the summer or fall semester.
Competition opens March 1, 2024
Fellowship Award
Each fellowship award will be $1,000. If you are receiving financial aid during the term of the scholarship award, there may be a need to adjust the total financial aid award. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (903.886.5096) for additional information about how this fellowship may affect financial aid. Note that fellowship funding is limited and only complete application packets will be reviewed for final award determination.
To be eligible for this fellowship, a student must:
- be a master’s, specialist, or doctoral student in good academic standing at East Texas A&M.
- have received proposal approval from the Graduate School/Thesis & Dissertation Services no later than April 12, 2024.
- be enrolled in at least three (3) hours of a thesis (518) course or dissertation (718) course during one of the summer terms for the fellowship period.
Complete application packages must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. April 12, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. You may access the current fellowship application link when the competition opens on March 1st.
Homer Tate Initiative Scholarship
The Homer Tate Initiative Scholarship was established to assist students with funding in their last term before graduation. Scholarships are limited to only undergraduate and graduate students in their last remaining 3 credit hours.
To qualify for the Homer Tate Initiative Scholarship, a student must:
- Be a FAFSA or TASFA financial aid applicant in good standing with Financial Aid.
- Be enrolled in the last 3 credit hours required to complete the degree.
- Be graduating at the end of the semester for which the student is applying for the scholarship, and understand they must have a Graduation Application on file with the Registrar’s Office.
- Provide a complete application which includes information from their Academic Advisor as documentation of remaining course requirement to complete degree.
- Have a balance due after any offered financial aid is applied.
- Students pursuing Competency Based degrees, such as the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) in Organizational Leadership and Competency Based Criminal Justice (CBCJ), are not eligible to apply for East Texas A&M University scholarships.
- Complete the Application form for Homer Tate Scholarship.
- Applications must be submitted on or before the 12th class day of the fall or spring semester of the 4th class day of the summer semester.
- Scholarship applications are reviewed in the order received.
- Check your LeoMail for communication regarding the scholarship.
- Funding is limited, so click here to apply today!
Frequently Asked Questions
I am an International Student. Am I eligible to apply?
Unfortunately, no. You must also be a financial aid applicant with a FAFSA or TASFA application on file.
What if I was offered financial aid, but declined it?
If the offered amount was sufficient to cover your balance, then you would not be eligible to apply for the scholarship. “Financial aid” includes scholarships, grants, and loans. Keep in mind that most federal and institution funds will not disburse for students in 3 credit hours.
What is a graduation application?
A graduation application is your application to graduate from the university and receive your diploma.
What if I have additional questions not covered in this FAQ?
I applied. What happens now?
Please continue to monitor your LeoMail for communication regarding the scholarship.
Will I increase my chances of being awarded the scholarship by providing a resume or academic records?
What if I graduate in a different term than the current one?
You would be eligible to apply for your very last semester.
If you choose to apply early, please understand that applications will be processed for the current term only, after the application deadline. For example – if you are graduating in Summer II, and it is currently the May Mini, your application will not be processed until after the census date of Summer II.
We will continue to open the scholarship application each semester, until funding is depleted.
What if I am on a payment plan?
If awarded the scholarship, it could still pay the amount you were billed for applicable tuition and applicable fees.
What if financial aid already paid my balance?
What if I already paid my balance out of pocket?
If awarded the scholarship, it would still pay the amount you were billed for tuition and applicable fees (unless you were offered sufficient financial aid to cover your balance, and declined it). Keep in mind that most federal and institution funds will not disburse for students in 3 credit hours.
What if I am transferring in coursework?
Please provide documentation of the outside coursework, and apply for Homer Tate for your last 3 hours at this institution. Homer Tate funds cannot be applied to outside coursework. You may be eligible to complete a Consortium Agreement. Eligibility for Homer Tate will be determined by the Scholarship Office.
Outside Scholarships
Scholarships and awards from outside private and non-profit institutions and organizations are a great way to help finance your education.
East Texas A&M compiles a list of several outside scholarships although students are encouraged to also search on their own. The scholarship directories below are a valuable resource for researching and finding many scholarships on one site for which you may be eligible.
If you are the recipient of any type of award, typically scholarships or corporate sponsorships from a source other than East Texas A&M, you must report it to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as soon as possible using the Outside Resource Form. An adjustment in your financial aid offer may be needed according to the guidelines of the aid programs currently offered. You may be required to repay financial assistance you have already received if you are no longer eligible for those aid programs.
You can send the Outside Resource Form to [email protected].
As a recipient of an outside scholarship or corporate sponsorship, please inform the donor to document the student name and semester with which the money applies to the check or letter included. All scholarship/sponsorship/endowment money should be sent to:
Financial Aid and Scholarships
East Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX 75429
The links below are provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement. Neither the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships nor East Texas A&M can guarantee the accuracy or the timeliness of the information on these sites.
Always be cautious and ensure that any scholarship found is legitimate and not a scam.