About the Presidential Scholars Scholarship

Incoming freshman with exceptionally strong academic records are invited to apply. Presidential Scholars receive a full-ride scholarship for up to four years/eight long semesters (fall & spring), or until the obtainment of a bachelor's degree, covering tuition, fees, room and board, and books. This scholarship will not pay toward any graduate level courses.

Application Requirements

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum high school GPA of 4.40+ AND must rank in the top 10% of their graduating class OR
• Submit qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) scores for consideration
• International students - submit qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) scores for consideration

Presidential Scholars applicants must first apply and be accepted for admission to Lamar University. To apply for a Presidential Scholars scholarship, you should submit a letter of interest that presents a personal statement of your academic goals and intended major, along with a current resume, and a short essay on a provided topic. The student must interview in front of a committee prior to being considered for the award.

If you have already been awarded scholarships by us, the fact must be disclosed in the application. Presidential Scholars are also required to be a member of the Reaud Honors College through the entire undergraduate degree.

Applying for the Southeast Texas Legends Scholars Scholarship

Incoming freshman with exceptionally strong academic records are invited to apply. Southeast Texas Legends Scholars receive a full-ride scholarship for four years covering tuition, fees, room and board, and books.

Applicant Requirements:

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum of high school GPA of 4.40+ AND top 10% of their graduating class
  • Must show a record of demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, service and/or creative endeavors
• Must complete a FAFSA and demonstrate financial need

Southeast Texas Legends applicants must first apply and be accepted for admission to Lamar University. In addition, you must submit a letter of interest that presents a personal statement of your academic goals and intended major, along with a current resume, an essay based on a provided prompt AND complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This scholarship does interview in front of a committee prior to being awarded. Southeast Texas Legends students are required to be a member of the Reaud Honors College through the entire undergraduate degree.

The Smith-Hutson Scholarship is based on academic achievement and need. All applicants must submit an essay, two letters of recommendation, and complete a FAFSA. Smith-Hutson Scholarship applications should be submitted online through lamar.edu/myscholarships.

This scholarship is open to incoming freshman and transfer students who have completed a minimum of 50 credit hours and/or have obtained an associate's degree. Incoming freshmen are eligible for four years of funding, or up to eight semesters and transfer students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of two years. Students on scholarship must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester and maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA.

The Smith-Hutson Scholars award will give students $74,000 over four years and will cover 90-95% of the student's bill. 

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Applying for the Cardinal Elite Scholars Scholarship

There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum high school GPA of 4.25+ AND top 10% of their graduating class OR
• Submit a qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) score for consideration
• International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) score for consideration

The Cardinal Elite Scholars award will give students $40,000 over four years. $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition and $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward on-campus residence hall. If a student chooses to not live in the residence hall, their room scholarship will be forfeited. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.

Applying for the Academic Excellence Scholars Scholarship

There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum high school GPA of 3.95+ AND top 25% of their graduating class OR
• Submit a qualifying SAT (1200-1320) or ACT (25-28) score for consideration
• International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1200-1320) or ACT (25-18) score for consideration

The Academic Excellence Scholars award will give students $32,000 over four years. $6,000 per year ($3,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition and $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward on-campus residence hall. If a student chooses to not live in the residence hall, their room scholarship will be forfeited. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.

Applying for the Distinguished Scholars Scholarship

There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum high school GPA of 3.65+ AND top 25% of their graduating class OR
• Submit a qualifying SAT (1080-1190) or ACT (21-24) score for consideration
• International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1080-1190) or ACT (21-24) score for consideration

The Distinguished Scholars award will give students $20,000 over four years. $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) will be applied toward tuition. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.

Applying for the University Scholars Scholarship

There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

• First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
• Minimum high school GPA of 3.50-3.64 AND top 50% of their graduating class OR
• Submit a qualifying SAT (1010-1070) or ACT (19-21) score for consideration
• International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1010-1170) or ACT (19-21) score for consideration

The Distinguished Scholars award will give students $8,000 over four years. $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.