Big Tex Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by State Fair of Texas

The Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded college scholarships to more than 3,850 students for a total of more than $21.4 million. Eligible recipients include graduating high school seniors around the state of Texas who have participated in competitive youth livestock events held at the State Fair, graduating seniors from six Dallas Independent School District high schools in the Fair Park area, and seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas or their dependents. Scroll down for more information on our various scholarships, in addition to frequently asked questions.

Applications for 2026-2027 Scholars will open on Opening Day of the State Fair of Texas, September 25, 2026

Celebrating Texas Through Education

There’s a reason why promoting education is an important part of our mission statement here at the State Fair of Texas. We believe that part of celebrating Texas means supporting the future of our great state: students. In order to fulfill this mission effectively, the Fair has developed three distinct scholarship categories:

• Juanita Craft Scholarship
• Youth Livestock Scholarship
• Seasonal Employee Scholarship

Scroll down to learn more about the each of these scholarship opportunities.

Juanita Craft Scholarship

Honoring the legacy of South Dallas resident and civil rights activist, Juanita Craft, the State Fair of Texas awards multiple scholarships to selected applicants from the following Fair Park-area high schools: Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, James Madison, Lincoln, North Dallas, and Woodrow Wilson High Schools. As of 2026, each newly awarded student receives a $12,000 scholarship.

Youth Livestock Scholarship

The State Fair of Texas awards scholarships to selected applicants who have competed in specific competitive youth livestock events held at the State Fair. Scholarships are given to applicants who are graduating from a Texas high school and enrolling in a Texas college, university, or trade school. While preference is given to those enrolling in an agricultural-related or agricultural-benefiting natural science curriculum/major, it is not required. As of 2026, each newly awarded student receives a $12,000 scholarship.

Eligible applicants must have competed in one or more of the following events:

• Donkey & Mule Show, Youth Class
• Horse Show: AHA, Youth Class
• Horse Show: 5D Barrel Race, Youth Class
• Horse Show: Youth RSNC Ranch Sorting
• Horse Show: 4-H 4X4 Chute
• Youth Rodeo
• Junior Llama Show
• Junior TLBT Longhorn Cattle Show
• Junior TLBT Longhorn Showmanship
• National Youth Food Challenge Contest
• Youth Food Challenge Contest
• Youth Agricultural Job Interview Contest
• Youth Agricultural Public Speaking Contest
• Youth Agricultural Science Fair
• Youth Agriculture Mechanics Premier Exhibitor Sweepstakes
• Youth Agriculture Mechanics Project Show and Tractor Restoration Contest
• Youth AgRobotics Contest
• Youth Archery Contest
• Youth Agriculture Product Identification Contest
• Youth Range and Pasture Plant Identification Contest
• Youth Wildlife Contest
• Youth Dairy Judging Contest
• Youth Livestock Judging Contest
• Youth Beef Skillathon Contest
• Youth Sheep Skillathon Contest
• Youth Swine Skillathon Contest
• Youth Breeding Beef Heifer Show
• Youth Breeding Beef Heifer Showmanship
• Youth Breeding Gilt Show
• Youth Breeding Gilt Showmanship
• Youth Breeding Goat Show
• Youth Breeding Goat Showmanship
• Youth Breeding Sheep Show
• Youth Breeding Sheep Showmanship
• Youth Breeding Rabbit Show
• Youth Dairy Cattle Show
• Youth Dairy Cattle Showmanship
• Youth Dairy Goat Show
• Youth Dairy Goat Showmanship
• Youth Market Barrow Show
• Youth Market Broiler Show
• Youth Market Goat Show
• Youth Market Lamb Show
• Youth Market Steer Show
• Youth Prospect Steer Show
• Youth Poultry Showmanship

Seasonal Employee Scholarship

First awarded in 2018, the Seasonal Employee Scholarship awards scholarships each year to seasonal staff members directly employed by the State Fair of Texas or to a dependent child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, foster, or adopted child of the qualified seasonal employee. This scholarship is available for applicants who plan to attend an accredited two-year or four-year Texas college, university, or trade school. Eligible seasonal staff, are those who have completed at least three years of seasonal employment as of January 1st of the year in which the scholarship is to be awarded, have worked an average of 20 hours a week during the prior Fair, and are in good standing. As of 2026, recipients receive a $12,000 grant, renewable in pre-determined increments (paid by semester or term) if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA while working towards the completion of an eligible degree.