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How To Apply

Eligibility

To be considered for the Terry Foundation Scholarship at UTEP as a CURRENT high school senior, you must:

  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • be a Texas resident AND graduate from a Texas high school or home-school program in Texas
  • hold a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • demonstrate financial need AND complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • be admitted to UTEP as a full-time student in the fall semester of the year awarded
  • reside on campus for the first year at UTEP in the UTEP Scholar wing of Miner Canyon

Selection Criteria

The University of Texas at El Paso will recommend candidates to the Terry Foundation. The Foundation will review the recommendations and extend interview invitations to select candidates. Those candidates will interview with the Terry Foundation on the UTEP campus sometime in mid-March.

The selection criteria used by the Terry Foundation include financial need, academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership potential. Although financial need is an important factor in the selection process, a student need not qualify for federal assistance in order to meet the Terry Scholar selection criteria.

Please know that the University of Texas at El Paso serves as a nominating body only; the Terry Foundation makes all final decisions regarding scholarship awards.

2027 Application Deadline
January 11th, 2027 at 11:59 pm MST

Application Summary and Deadlines

  • NEW application process for the 2027-2028 Terry Foundation Application
    • Complete the UTEP ScholarMine application
      • Application link: utep.edu/scholarmine
        • STRONGLY suggested to use a personal email address that is NOT your ISD email
      • Ensure to complete the “Advanced Essay Questions” and “Optional Family Questions” of the ScholarMine Application
        • Applicants who do NOT complete the ScholarMine application AND the additional “Advance Questions” complete, will NOT be considered for the Terry Foundation Scholarship at UTEP
      • Deadline for the UTEP Terry Foundation Scholarship Application (ScholarMine) is 1/11/27 at 11:59 pm MST.
    • Letter of Recommendation:
      • Letter should speak to your academic and leadership abilities
        • Your letter should be from someone who knows you well
        • Your letter should not be from a close relative
      • 1 letter must be uploaded to your application by the person writing your letter.
      • Students SHOULD NOT upload their own letter of recommendation
      • The letters MUST be uploaded in PDF format by the recommenders by the application due date: 1/11/27 at 11:59 pm MST.
      • Late letters will disqualify applicants.
      • It is the student’s responsibility to check with their recommender to make sure that their letters are uploaded to the system by the deadline.
  • File a  FAFSA online
    • REQUIRED to be eligible for the Terry Foundation Scholarship at UTEP
    • No minimum SAI, but MUST send completed FAFSA to UTEP
    • NEW: FAFSA MUST be completed by Jan. 11, 2027 11:59pm MST.

The Terry Foundation does not accept applications directly from students. Further information about the Terry Foundation may be found on their website.

Prepping for your Terry Foundation Application

  • Ask your recommender for a letter EARLY! The letters MUST be uploaded by the recommenders by the deadline.
    • We suggest asking your recommender to upload their letter NO LATER than one day PRIOR to the deadline.
    • This will help ensure that your application will be considered complete and eligible for review.
    • It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to check with recommender to ensure the letter is uploaded correctly.

  • Start your application EARLY! This application isn’t difficult, but it is lengthy. 
    • Make sure to plan accordingly to give yourself plenty of time to complete the application. 
    • The application website will save your progress as you go.

  • Make your admission application to UTEP a priority! To be eligible for the 2 nd phase of the application process (in-person Terry Foundation Interview), students MUST be admitted to UTEP.
  • Work on the short answers and essay questions NOW! This is how the committee gets to know more about you. Use these spaces wisely. Be sure to edit your essays carefully and stay within the word limits.
    • Short Answer Questions (250 WORD max)
      • To gain a better understanding of any financial need, please describe any special circumstances that impact your family’s ability to fund your college experience. (This helps the committee determine your financial need for a scholarship).
      • Why have you chosen to apply to UTEP?
      • What have you chosen your academic major?
    • Essay Questions (500 WORD max)
      • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
      • Describe an example of your leadership. Be sure to describe your actions and the actions of those around you and what you accomplished.