Eligibility Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Be a senior graduating from any high school in Hidalgo, Cameron or Starr County, Texas
• Be an entering freshman at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Rank in top 25% of his/her graduating class
• Demonstrate financial need and be Pell Grant-eligible as determined by the UTRGV Financial Aid Office and defined by the U.S. Department of Education using FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

All high school seniors are encouraged to apply starting the first week of October. The application must be submitted online by February 15. Application is available a www.utrgv.edu/applyscholarships.

Renewable Requirements

1. Enroll each fall and spring semester in a minimum of 12 hours leading to the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
2. Maintain a 2.75 Cumulative Institutional Grade Point Average (GPA). GPA is based on all grades received in college-level courses, including those taken while in high school. The cumulative GPA is recalculated and reviewed at the end of each semester after grades have posted. If the Institutional Cumulative GPA prevents a student from receiving the scholarship in any particular semester, the scholarship will be renewed when the GPA returns to the required level.
3. Participate in the VAMOS/UTRGV Leadership Development Program before the beginning of the second year at UTRGV. You will be contacted by The Center for Student Involvement Office for leadership program details.
4. Scholarship may be retained for 4 years of undergraduate study or until graduation, whichever occurs first. This scholarship terminates upon transfer to another institution or upon non-enrollment at UTRGV for any fall or spring semester. Student must complete a FAFSA and be Pell eligible each year that they received the award. In exceptional circumstances, prior approval for an absence from a fall or spring semester may be authorized, but you must first notify and get approval from the Scholarship Coordinator.