The Terry Foundation is a Houston-based scholarship program that was established to provide scholarships to exceptional Texas high school graduates for attendance at public colleges and universities throughout the state, intending to assist young people in discovering themselves and contributing to the growth of society.
The Terry Traditional Scholarship also known as the Freshman Scholarship, is given to Texas high school seniors who have been accepted to one of Texas’ Terry-affiliated public universities.
Terry Foundation Scholarship Review
The Terry Foundation is a philanthropic organization based in Houston that provides scholarships to exceptional Texas students attending in-state public colleges and universities, including the University of Houston. Nancy and Howard Terry founded the Foundation in 1986, and it has since awarded scholarships to thousands of freshmen and transfer students from across the state.
The Terry Foundation Traditional Scholarship amount for freshman students is based on the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses), and is individually adjusted based on additional sources of financial support. It is also renewable for eight semesters of undergraduate study.
In addition, each Terry Scholar is eligible for a $5,000 study abroad stipend to help fund their study abroad experience.
Applicant Qualifications
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must have the following:
- Financial requisite
- A track record of school and community leadership
- Excellent academic abilities as demonstrated by grades and SAT/ACT scores
- Please keep in mind that test scores are not required for the Fall 2023 cycle of the Terry Foundation Scholarship.
- Meet the residency and citizenship requirements of the United States and Texas to be eligible for in-state tuition and federal aid assistance.
- Completion of a Texas high school or homeschooling. You’re expected to live on campus for the first year.
- Admission to the University of Houston as a full-time entering freshman student in Fall 2023
How to Apply
The Terry Foundation Scholarship at UH application period begins on August 1, 2022, and ends at noon on December 9, 2022. (12 p.m.). Terry Scholarship Freshman applicants must meet the following requirements for their application to be considered complete:
- Apply to the University of Houston and be accepted by December 9, 2022.
- Submit a completed application by December 9, 2022, at noon (12 p.m. CST):
- Fill out the online application.
- Submit all required essays and resumes (via online application).
- Submit a typed essay of 250 words for BOTH of the topics listed below (minimum). Each page of your essay must include your full name and UH ID.
- Each essay must have the essay prompt at the top of the first page.
Essay 1: Tell us about yourself. What one-of-a-kind opportunities or challenges did you face in high school that shaped who you are today?
Essay 2: Describe an example of your leadership in 500 words or less. Make a point of describing your actions as well as the actions of those around you, and explain what you accomplished.
- Two letters of recommendation, written on official letterhead and addressing your academic and leadership abilities. Your letter writers will send letters via electronic submission. You will provide the names and email addresses of your two recommendation letter writers. After you submit your application, the letter writers you specified will be emailed and asked to upload their letters via an online form.
Important: You must submit all letters of recommendation by the application deadline (December 9, 2022). Letters that aren’t sent online won’t be accepted. Your letter writers will need your UH ID and email address to submit your letter, so please ensure they have access to both. An email will be sent to you as a notification after a letter has been sent on your behalf. It is your duty to check with your recommender(s) to make sure that your letter(s) of recommendation have been filed if you have not received a confirmation email.
Please note that before submitting this form, you are still required to ask potential letter writers if they would be prepared to write a letter of reference on your behalf.
Please ensure you provide enough time for your recommenders to submit their letters when submitting your application.
A high school transcript sent to the address provided, sealed and official. Transcripts sent by mail must have a postmark by December 9, 2022.
Unofficial copies of your college transcripts, if any. You must also send your unofficial college transcript if you have more than 15 hours of college credits from a dual credit program, community college, or university (excluding AP/IB courses). This transcript can be submitted through the online application.
- By January 31, 2023, all Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should have been submitted.
Once you have been accepted to UH, submit an application for on-campus housing, this is highly recommended. All first-year Terry Scholars must live on campus. The Honors housing at Cougar Village I is Terry Scholars’ on-campus residence.