Terry Scholarship FAQ

"The Terry Foundation was established in 1986 by Houstonians Howard and Nancy Terry out of a desire to help young people to help themselves. The Foundation's goal is to strengthen the State of Texas by identifying Texas high school graduates who have promise of future leadership distinction and assisting them in developing their future and the future of those around them."
-From the Terry Foundation website

Who can apply?

The Terry Foundation provides four-year scholarships for Texas resident students attending Texas Tech University and several other Universities in the state of Texas. Terry Scholars are selected from a highly competitive applicant pool of incoming freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, and scholastic ability. Family income and financial aid are also considered. Current (continuing) and incoming transfer Texas Tech University students are not eligible to apply for the Terry Foundation Scholarship. To be considered for the Terry Foundation Scholarship at Texas Tech University, you must:

• Begin an ApplyTexas Application and select Texas Tech University as your target university.
• Complete and submit your ApplyTexas application for admission no later than the December 15, 2012 priority deadline.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31. (Application available January 1.) The FAFSA application will determine your eligibility for federal grants and is required for all Terry Foundation candidates and finalists.
• To determine if you might be eligible to apply for and/or receive the Terry Scholarship, please see the information below.
• Admissions applications will be reviewed to find candidates for the Terry Scholarship. If you are determined to be an eligible candidate for the Terry Scholarship, you will be contacted and required to submit additional documentation for the Terry Scholarship review process.

If I receive notification from Texas Tech encouraging me to apply for the Terry Scholarship, what do I need to submit?

If you are selected by the Texas Tech University as a potential Terry candidate, the TTU Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office will contact you so you can submit additional information, including:

• application questions
• 2 essays (prompts are included on the application)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• official high school transcript
• and any college transcript(s).

Terry Scholarship candidates who are recommended by the University must attend a personal interview with the Terry Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee. The Terry Foundation selects the scholarship recipients from among the candidates who are recommended for interview. Other Universities which are also affiliated with the Terry Scholarship program may have different application procedures. Please contact each individual school for specific instructions.

If I am a current TTU Terry Scholar, where can I find important information about my scholarship award?

Current Texas Tech University Terry Scholars should refer to the Foundation Scholar Handbook . The handbook is also distributed at the Terry Foundation Scholar Orientation each Fall semester. Current and accurate mailing addresses and a valid e-mail address are required by the Terry Foundation. To review or update your contact information, please go to the Scholars Only portal on the Foundation’s website.

What is the Terry Foundation Scholarship?

Howard and Nancy Terry are long-time residents of Houston, where Mr. Terry has been successful in a variety of businesses, ranging from banking to oil and gas. In 1986, the Terry family decided to help young people to help themselves by setting up an educational foundation. Mr. Terry had always been grateful for the financial assistance that enabled him to go to college, so they decided to dedicate their time and resources to giving future generations of young people in Texas this same opportunity.
The Terry Scholarship is intended to provide scholarships up to the cost of attendance to outstanding students (other scholarships or aid and family household contribution will be considered when determining the Terry scholarship stipend).

What are the criteria for the Terry Scholarship?

• be admitted by December 15, 2012 as an incoming freshman to Texas Tech University for the fall semester after high school graduation • be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S, • attend a Texas high school or home school in Texas, • have strong academic abilities as evidence in your grades and SAT/ACT test scores, • have a record of leadership in school and community, • demonstrate financial need, • and live on-campus during freshman year at Texas Tech University, Lubbock campus • Required to submit two letters of recommendation and a high school transcript*

*The above items will be requested for those who are being reviewed by the Texas Tech University Scholarship Review Committee. Note: Request for these items does NOT necessarily indicate that you will be forwarded to the Terry Foundation for an interview.

How do I apply for the Terry Scholarship and when is the deadline?

• Apply Texas Admission application • Additional requested information specific to the Terry Scholarship*

*All incoming freshman who have completed the Apply Texas application for admission will be reviewed to determine if certain criteria are met. Students who meet these basic criteria and appear to be an exceptional candidate for the Terry Scholarship will be directed to complete and submit additional documentation (2 essays, 2 letters of recommendation, high school transcript, and additional application information specific to the Terry Scholarship).

What do I need to submit in order to be considered for the Terry Scholarship by the January 13, 2013 deadline?

• Apply Texas Admission application • Additional requested information specific to the Terry Scholarship*

Do I need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid?

Yes, all students who are selected as Terry Scholarship recipients are REQUIRED to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31, 2013.

How will I know if I am selected as a potential scholarship recipient?

Texas Tech University Terry Scholarship Committee will send you an e-mail if you are one of the potential students who will be forwarded to the Terry Foundation for an interview. The Terry Foundation will contact the students recommended for an interview to schedule an interview time.

Are interviews required? If so, when are the interviews held?

Interviews are required; potential Terry scholarship recipients are contacted by the Terry Foundation in March to schedule the date, time and location for the interview. Interviews are typically held in mid-April; interviewee expenses will be reimbursed by the Terry Foundation.

When will I know if I will receive the scholarship?

Interviews with the Terry Foundation are held in mid-April. You will learn whether you were selected to receive the Terry Scholarship in a letter from the Terry Foundation. You will be notified before May 1.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I am not from Texas?

No, you must be a Texas resident to apply for this scholarship.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I am a home-schooled student?

Yes, as long as you were home-schooled in Texas and completed home school in Texas.

Am I eligible if I am admitted or will attend TTUHSC or another TTU system location?

No, you must be admitted to and attend at Texas Tech University, Lubbock campus.

Am I eligible for this scholarship if I qualify as a Resident of Texas under House Bill 1403/Senate Bill 1528?

No, you are not eligible to apply.

What are the requirements to maintain the Terry Scholarship after my freshman year?

You must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester. You will be required to attend a fall orientation session your first year and orientation lunch each year after your first, annual Terry fall banquet and the annual Terry Scholar picnic. You will receive information on these events and invitations from the Terry Foundation. You will receive a student handbook that will address in detail all the requirements.

What if I am offered other scholarships and/or financial aid and I also receive the Terry Scholarship?

You may receive that scholarship along with the Terry Scholarship, as long as the scholarships & financial aid awarded scholarship is less than the estimated cost of attendance, otherwise the scholarships & financial aid awarded will be revised.

Where can I get more information?

More information about the Terry Foundation and the Terry Scholarship selection process is available at the Foundation website at www.terryfoundation.org.

What address do I use to send in letters of recommendation, if they are requested of me?

Terry Foundation Scholarship Competition
TTU Scholarship Office
Box 45011
Lubbock TX 49409-5011
For any additional questions, you may email scholarships@ttu.edu