How to Apply
How to Apply
- Apply using the ApplyTexas Application or the Common Application. You must complete the admission and scholarship portions to be considered.
- Submit a complete Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)
- Submit test score(s) for the SAT or ACT
- All applications received will be reviewed and selected by Texas A&M University’s Scholarship & Financial Aid, The University of Texas at Austin Scholarship & Financial Aid and the Finis Welch Foundation.
To be considered a Welch Scholar at Texas A&M University or The University of Texas at Austin:
- Be admitted by February 1 as an incoming freshman to a Welch Scholar partner university for the fall semester after high school graduation
- Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Attend a Texas high school or home school in Texas
- Have strong academic abilities shown through your high school performance and completed test scores (SAT or ACT scores must be submitted for consideration)
- Demonstrate financial need by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To maintain eligibility a Welch Scholar must:
- Submit a FAFSA each year
- Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPR
- Enroll full-time each semester (minimum of 12 hours) at a Welch Scholar partner university
- Meet the 30/60/90 hour rule. You are required to have earned 30 hours by the end of your first academic year, 60 hours by the end of your second academic year, and 90 hours by the end of your third academic year. An academic year includes the fall, spring, and summer terms. Hours earned via transfer credit, dual credit, and AP/IB testing can be used to meet the 30/60/90 rule.
Welch Scholars – Funded by the Finis Welch Foundation Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Welch Scholar Program?
The Welch Scholar program provides funding for incoming freshmen who have graduated from a Texas high school and will attend one of the Welch Scholar affiliated universities the fall semester immediately following graduation. The Welch Scholar program is up to four years (8 semesters) of funding that not only covers tuition but also living and school expenses. The Welch Scholars program is fully funded by the Finis Welch Foundation.
The Welch Scholar program is currently offered at these Texas public universities:
- Texas A&M University at College Station
- The University of Texas at Austin
What are the criteria to apply as a Welch Scholar?
- Be admitted by February 1st as an incoming freshman to a Welch Scholar partner university for the fall semester after high school graduation
- Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Attend a Texas high school or home school in Texas
- Have strong academic abilities shown through your high school performance and completed test scores (SAT or ACT scores must be submitted for consideration)
- Demonstrate financial need by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
How do I apply and what is the deadline to apply as a Welch Scholar?
You must submit either a complete ApplyTexas or Coalition Application (including scholarship application) to a Welch Scholar affiliated university by December 1 of your senior year.
Does the Finis Welch Foundation accept Welch Scholar applications directly from students?
No. The Foundation does not accept applications directly from students and instead authorizes our Welch Scholar campus partners to review applications and nominate candidates for review and selection by the Finis Welch Foundation and board of directors.
What are the requirements to maintain being a Welch Scholar?
- Submit a FAFSA each year
- Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPR
- Enroll full-time each semester (minimum of 12 hours)
- Meet the 30/60/90 hour rule. You are required to have earned 30 hours by the end of your first academic year, 60 hours by the end of your second academic year, and 90 hours by the end of your third academic year. An academic year includes the fall, spring, and summer terms. Hours earned via transfer credit, dual credit, and AP/IB testing can be used to meet the 30/60/90 rule.
How is the amount of the Scholarship determined?
Taking into account other scholarships that the student may receive, the Foundation provides sufficient assistance to cover tuition, books, fees, and reasonable living expenses. The actual specific amount of the stipend will vary for each Scholar, depending on the other scholarship awards and financial aid received. It is the Foundation’s intent that Scholars will not need to incur student loan debt.
What about Pell Grants?
Pell Grants are federal grants of financial aid to college students whose family income falls below a certain level. Welch Scholar applicants are encouraged to apply for a Pell Grant if qualified. Receiving a Pell Grant does not disqualify an applicant from being a Welch Scholar.
