Texas First Scholarship
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
State credit of $10,798 (two or more semesters early) or $5,399 (less than two semesters early) for students who graduate high school early with a Texas First Diploma (2026-27).
- How much
- $10,798 (graduate 2+ semesters early) or $5,399 (less than 2 semesters early), 2026-27
- Who qualifies
- Texas resident; graduated early from high school with a Texas First Diploma (program requires e.g. 3.0+ GPA, STAAR EOC completion and mastery in five subject areas per THECB's program page); enrolled at a Texas public institution of higher education. Selective Service registration if applicable.
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- When to apply
- Apply any time No application deadline; credit must be used by the end of the first academic year starting after high school graduation.
- How to apply
- Earn a Texas First Diploma
- Your high school counselor confirms it through Texas OnCourse, THECB issues a scholarship certificate, and you enroll at a Texas public college, which verifies your transcript and applies the credit
- No separate application
- What you'll need
- transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (reportcenter.highered.texas.gov) and page 2
The details
Students who graduate early under the Texas First Early High School Completion Program with a Texas First Diploma get a state credit at a Texas public college. FY2027 (2026-27) values: graduate two or more semesters early = one full year (two-semester) maximum TEXAS Grant, $10,798; graduate less than two semesters early = half that, $5,399. The college applies the credit to your charges (up to cost of attendance) and any remainder can be used in later semesters, but the credit expires at the end of the first academic year that begins after your high school graduation. It is not counted against need-based aid unless total aid exceeds cost of attendance.
More money from Texas
- Dell Scholars Program$20,000 flexible scholarship + laptop, book credits, emergency funds, teletherapy
- TEXAS Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success)up to $5,399 per semester (2026-27 max; up to $16,197/yr with summer); target $2,500 per semester
- Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)up to $2,134/semester (community colleges), $3,896/semester (technical institutes), $1,840/semester (state colleges) in 2026-27
- Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)up to $4,270 per year; up to $6,405 per year for undergraduates with exceptional need (2026-27)
- Accounting Students Scholarship (Texas State Board of Public Accountancy)up to $6,000 lifetime
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.