The GTF Scholars Program was created for graduates of Texas Early College High Schools (ECHSs) to continue their higher education with financial and non-financial assistance.

Established in 2012, the foundation has approved $25M to participating universities to support more than 2,000 students. Current college partners include: Texas A&M University, Texas A&M San Antonio, University of Houston-Downtown, The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of North Texas at Dallas, Texas A&M Central Texas, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

The foundation requires each participating university to design a plan using GTF scholarship dollars with an emphasis on student loan debt reduction, combined with financial and academic advising, and social/peer activities for each cohort of scholars.

Consistent with the ECHS population, GTF Scholars are primarily first-generation college students with financial need. While they may face some challenges, they also bring significant assets to the university with many entering the university with an associate degree completed, or significant credits, and a strong motivation to succeed.

One of the unique benefits is that students are provided a last-dollar scholarship for three solid years, and most graduate in 3 – 3.5 years. Many students take advantage of the flexibility and add double majors or minors, often in a STEM field, which makes them highly marketable in the job market.

A hallmark of the program has been its long-standing rigorous evaluation of program outcomes, which has helped participating universities, and the foundation, better understand the unique needs of ECHS graduates as they transition to a university. Student voice is important and included at multiple stages of the evaluation.

Based on the evaluation, we have learned the program is life-changing, according to most students and the student affairs professionals who manage the programs.

• Students praise the sense of belonging and advising they get from peer mentors and staff advisors who understand that the scholars are incoming students taking higher-level coursework, oftentimes with students older than them – and they have an expedited timeline to gain internships, career experience, and graduate.
• An unforeseen benefit discovered through ongoing research, is the scholars’ ability to pursue their master’s degree or other advanced degree because they graduate with little to no student loan debt.

One of the most impactful, life-changing pieces of the program is that once a year the foundation hosts a student leadership conference at its offices in Bryan, Texas. Scholar participation in the leadership conference offers an opportunity to build a personal network, build on leadership skills, and explore personal motivations through inspirational speakers and skill-building workshops. Year over year, through surveys and focus groups, the participating students express deep gratitude for this event, the new friendships made, and the confidence and connections they have gained.

To learn about outcomes and inspiration from those involved in GTF Scholars, please visit: https://www.greatertexasfoundation.org/gtf-scholars/

Guest Author: Kimberly Stezala, M.S , Greater Texas Foundation