Scholarships

2026-2027 Scholarship Application

The scholarship application will open in February, for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and/or Summer 2027 awards.

Application Opens: February 15, 2026

Application Closes: May 15, 2026

The scholarship application will reopen for a limited time in September, allowing new applicants to access and apply for any

remaining opportunities for the current academic year.

Application Reopens: September 1, 2026

Application Closes: September 10, 2026

Other scholarships may become available, each with its own requirements and deadlines.

We encourage you to review the scholarship listing here throughout the academic year.

Students submit ONE general application to be considered for multiple “auto match” Alamo Colleges Foundation scholarships during the current scholarship application cycle.

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Some academic programs also offer departmental scholarships that require you to complete a separate scholarship application. Please inquire about these scholarships with the academic department handling your major/plan of study.

Although many scholarships require a 2.5 or greater grade point average, there are also several scholarships that require a 2.0 GPA or greater.

Most scholarships require you be enrolled full time (12 credit hours or more). Some scholarships, however, require a minimum of only 6 credit hours (part time).

Yes. The Alamo Colleges District recognizes developmental coursework in consideration toward enrollment hours. Refer to the scholarship criteria for which you are applying.

If it states that developmental courses are not allowed in the requirements of a particular scholarship, then you would not be considered in that pool of applicants; however, the majority of Foundation scholarship opportunities allow developmental courses.

Please refer to www.irs.gov for detailed information regarding personal finance and taxes.

Alamo Colleges Foundation offers many different scholarships. It is important that you fully complete the application to allow us to consider you for every scholarship for which you may be eligible.

Some scholarships require additional documents such as letters of recommendation, or an additional essay. Someone from the scholarships team or from the relevant college department will contact you to submit these documents if you are considered for such scholarships.

AI is transforming how students write, but it does not have to replace authenticity.  

There are many AI tools available to students (like ChatGPT). While AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming ideas, outlining, or editing, and are often useful when learning a language, your final essay must be your own work. We expect that you write all essay responses submitted for review in your application.

Scholarship committees value honesty, vulnerability and specific examples- things only you can provide.

Scholarship judges or scholarship selection committees review and score scholarship applications. Judges/committee members are composed of faculty, staff, and/or community representatives.

Rating points are given to each applicant for GPA, academic plans, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, participation in community activities, and responses to the essay questions.

Selections are based on the applicant meeting the minimum scholarship criteria, and the points given by scholarship judges/selection committees.

Foundation scholarships are awarded and administered without regard to race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. All students are invited to apply for available scholarships

*If you are not a currently enrolled student, and would like to participate in our judging process, please visit Scholarship Judging | Alamo Colleges.

Scholarship reviews begin after the Application Deadline and continue throughout the academic year. You will be notified by email if you are selected to receive a scholarship.

There are some scholarships that are renewable, depending on donor wishes. These scholarships are renewed on a semester-by-semester basis as long as the recipient maintains scholarship criteria and requirements.

At the time of the initial award, you will be notified if the scholarship you are awarded is renewable.

Alamo Colleges Foundation reserves the right to cancel any scholarship at any time if the recipient fails to meet the standards of academic progress, scholarship criteria and requirements, or if falsification of information is reported or determined.

There may be situations where if a scholarship renewal is denied, you can apply for an appeal based on GPA and/or credit hour deficiency, or you have dropped a course, and are requesting an exception for repayment. Please complete the Scholarship Appeal Form.

Click here to view the Scholarship Application Overview

Prompt 1: Describe your academic and career goals — explain what you are studying, why you chose this path, and your plans after completing your credential (for example employment options or additional education plans).

Your essay content will be evaluated on whether your essay demonstrates:

• Clear educational and career goals
• Demonstatrd motivation and direction

Your essay grammar will be evaluated on whether your essay demonstrates:

• Clear organization and flow
• Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and attention to detail
• Demonstrates effort

Prompt 2: Describe something you are proud of. For example, employment, service, school, family involvement, participation in organizations, an event, a recognition, or a challenge you have overcome so far.

Your essay content will be evaluated on whether your essay demonstrates:

• Resilience and problem-solving
• Personal growth and reflection
• Authenticity of story

Your essay grammar will be evaluated on whether your essay demonstrates:

• • Clear organization and flow
  • Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and attention to detail
  • Demonstrates effort

Scholarship Data at Alamo Colleges

The data below reflects Alamo College Foundation Scholarships awarded during the academic year. These figures include both scholarship and grant funds but exclude Alamo Promise last-dollar awards.

The number of recipients represents unduplicated students who received funding during the year, while the number of awards indicates the total scholarships distributed.

Impact of Scholarships on Student Persistence

Persistence is an important measure for colleges and universities in predicting how many students will complete their ultimate goal of achieving their degree so they can move on to advanced studies or to begin their career.