Forty Acres Scholars Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Texas Exes

Program Overview

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is the premier, merit-based full-ride scholarship for The University of Texas at Austin, administered by the Texas Exes. It provides scholars with an integrated college experience that emphasizes academic growth, leadership development, professional preparation, and cultural engagement within a close-knit cohort. The program seeks students who will contribute to and benefit from a collaborative environment of high achievement and service. Participation includes structured opportunities for mentorship, community, and leadership development throughout the undergraduate years.

Description: A full-ride, merit-based scholarship administered by the Texas Exes that supports an intimate cohort experience with academic, leadership, professional, and cultural programming.

Award Value: Full-ride scholarship.

• Full-ride, merit-based scholarship for UT Austin students.
• Administered by the Texas Exes with cohort-based programming.
• Emphasizes academic, leadership, professional, and cultural development.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to high school seniors applying for admission to The University of Texas at Austin; both in-state and out-of-state students may apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents at the time of application. Transfer and international students are not eligible for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, though they may be eligible for other Texas Exes scholarships. Applicants to the McCombs School of Business should also apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program as part of the business honors consideration.

Eligibility: High school seniors applying to UT Austin; in-state and out-of-state eligible; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only; transfer and international students are ineligible; McCombs applicants should pursue the Canfield Business Honors Program.

• Open to high school seniors applying to UT Austin.
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
• Transfer and international applicants are not eligible for this program.
• McCombs applicants should also apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program.

Criteria

The program seeks visionary leaders who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, outstanding achievement, and a commitment to using their talents for the public good. Successful candidates are well-rounded, with sustained leadership, extracurricular involvement, and community service. Scholars exemplify strong interpersonal skills, servant leadership, and the desire to catalyze positive change. Academic excellence and a record of distinguished accomplishments are also central to selection.

Selection Criteria: Intellectual curiosity and academic excellence; demonstrated leadership and service; capacity to use talents to benefit society; strong interpersonal and citizenship qualities.

• Emphasis on intellectual curiosity and academic achievement.
• Preference for sustained leadership and community involvement.
• Values servant leadership and social skills that engage peers and adults.
• Focus on candidates who aim to be catalysts for positive change.

Application Process

Application to the Forty Acres Scholars Program is automatic when applicants submit their UT Austin application via the Common App or ApplyTexas; a separate standalone scholarship application is not required. The university’s early action deadline typically falls in October and the final application deadline in December for the relevant admissions cycle. Students may express additional interest by completing the Scholarship Interest Form in their MyStatus portal after applying; MyStatus becomes available about 48 hours after submission and the form opens beginning September 1. If selected to advance, students will be contacted directly and may be asked to submit an expanded résumé and an additional essay by January 15 for consideration.

Application Timeline: Automatic consideration via Common App or ApplyTexas; early action deadline in October and final deadline in December; Scholarship Interest Form available Sept 1 in MyStatus (accessible ~48 hours after application); expanded résumé and essay due January 15 if requested.

• No separate scholarship application—the UT Austin application submits candidates automatically.
• Early action and final application deadlines align with the university’s admissions calendar.
• Optional Scholarship Interest Form available in MyStatus beginning Sept 1 for self-identification.
• Applicants are contacted only if selected to advance to semifinalist rounds and for additional requirements.