INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
TXST scholarships for international students — the full picture
International students are considered for Texas State academic scholarships alongside domestic applicants. More importantly: winning at least $1,000 in competitive awards can qualify you to pay Texas resident tuition.
The rule that matters most: the nonresident tuition waiver
Texas State states it plainly: if you qualify for at least $1,000 in Texas State competitive or merit scholarships (for example National and Assured awards), you may receive a nonresident tuition competitive scholarship waiver — paying the resident rate for the same period your scholarship covers. Conditions apply: you must be registered with, or exempt from, Selective Service and lawfully present in the United States. The department that awarded the scholarship completes the university-approved waiver form.
$1,000
minimum award that can unlock the waiver
$25,080
nonresident undergraduate tuition 2026–27
$12,240
Texas resident undergraduate tuition
~$12,840
difference per year if the waiver applies
Freshman scholarships
For first-time freshmen and transfers with fewer than 15 transfer hours at the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses. TXST states that Assured and Merit awards are guaranteed to qualified residents and nonresidents — including international students — provided you are admitted and meet the criteria before your first semester.
| Scholarship | Value | Main criteria |
|---|---|---|
| National Distinction | $40,000 — $10,000/year | National Merit Finalist or semi-finalist; name TXST first choice with NMSC by May 31 |
| President's Honor | $48,000 — $12,000/year | SAT 1420+ or ACT 32+, and top 25% of class (or IB / AP Capstone diploma) |
| Texas State Achievement | $32,000 — $8,000/year | SAT 1260–1410 or ACT 27–31, top 25% of class (or IB / AP Capstone) |
| Texas State Achievement | $32,000 — $8,000/year | SAT 1160–1250 or ACT 24–26, top 5% of class (or IB / AP Capstone) |
| Texas State Achievement | $28,000 — $7,000/year | Top 6%–15% of class |
| Texas State Achievement | $24,000 — $6,000/year | Top 16%–25% of class |
| Texas State Distinguished | $20,000 — $5,000/year | SAT 1160+ or ACT 24+, top 26%–30% of class |
| Texas State Distinguished | $16,000 — $4,000/year | Top 31%–35% of class |
| Texas State Distinguished | $16,000 — $4,000/year | SAT 1060–1150 or ACT 21–23, top 25% of class (or IB / AP Capstone) |
| Texas State Merit (test-optional) | Varies by profile | Applied without SAT/ACT, top 35% of class; academic review of curriculum, course rigour, rank and grades |
Transfer scholarships
For first-time transfers into TXST from a community college or a four-year institution, with at least 15 transferable hours. Assured transfer awards are also guaranteed to nonresidents, including international students, who meet the criteria before their first semester.
| Scholarship | Value | Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat Premier Transfer | $8,000 — $4,000/year for 2 years | 3.90 – 4.00 |
| Bobcat Select Transfer | $6,000 — $3,000/year for 2 years | 3.75 – 3.89 |
| Bobcat Success Transfer | $4,000 — $2,000/year for 2 years | 3.50 – 3.74 |
| Bobcat Commitment Transfer | $2,000 — $1,000/year for 2 years | 3.25 – 3.49 |
Keeping your scholarship
Freshman awards
3.25 cumulative TXST GPA (3.5 for National Distinction), 28 passing TXST hours per academic year (fall + spring), undergraduate status, and no bachelor’s degree already earned.
Transfer awards
3.0 cumulative TXST GPA and 24 completed hours in the previous year; renewable for a second year (four continuous semesters).
If you miss the renewal criteria
You may file an appeal documenting extenuating circumstances. Instructions are emailed after spring grades post, usually in May.
The stacking ceiling
Scholarships can be stacked with each other and with financial aid, but the combined total cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
Graduate scholarships and fellowships
Merit Fellowships (new students)
For outstanding new master’s and doctoral students entering face-to-face or hybrid programs: a 16%–50% reduction in tuition (not fees) for the first year. Admitted students in eligible programs are considered automatically, with no separate application, and are notified within two weeks of their admission decision.
Graduate College Scholarship
$1,000 per semester for continuing students in face-to-face or hybrid programs, awarded for up to three semesters starting in a fall term, with one application cycle per academic year.
Tuition Scholarship for Research Doctoral Students
Automatic consideration for eligible admitted doctoral students: covers up to 21 credit hours per academic year, only for courses counting toward the doctoral degree, tuition only (not fees), for a maximum of three years.
Thesis / Doctoral Research Support Fellowships
Research support for continuing students: up to $2,000 for master’s thesis work and up to $5,000 for doctoral research, awarded once per degree, self-nominated.
College and department funding
Beyond the Graduate College, many colleges, departments and individual programs hold their own funds. Ask your program directly — this is the most frequently missed source.
Waivers at graduate level
TXST names the Graduate College Scholarship, Merit Fellowships and Coverdell Fellowships as awards that make you eligible for the nonresident tuition waiver.
BOSS — the Bobcat Online Scholarship System
BOSS lets you use one application to apply for as many Texas State scholarships as you are interested in. The university is progressively moving all department and college scholarships onto the system.
BOSS — the Bobcat Online Scholarship System
- Activate your Texas State NetID (issued once you are admitted).
- Open BOSS and choose Sign In → Sign In With Your Institution.
- Log in with your NetID and password, then follow the on-screen prompts.
- Prioritise the Recommended opportunities under the Opportunities tab.
- Answer every supplemental question — your real eligibility depends on those answers.
- Upload any extra materials the award requires (recommendation letter, résumé); the application is incomplete without them.
Opens by November 1 each year
Opportunities for the coming academic year appear in BOSS by November 1. If your college or department has nothing listed after that date, check the department website directly.
Deadlines vary by award
There is no single deadline — each opportunity carries its own, shown inside BOSS. Competitive transfer and continuing-student awards use March 1.
Editable until the deadline
You can revise a submitted application as long as the specific scholarship deadline has not passed.
Only recipients are notified
Committees notify winners only; you track your status in BOSS. Notifications usually start in early spring and finish by July 1.
Region-specific programs
Good Neighbor Scholarship
For students from nations of the Western Hemisphere other than Cuba and the United States. Apply through BOSS by March 1 for the following academic year. Recipients receive a nonresident tuition adjustment equal to the resident/nonresident difference, with no minimum enrolled hours required.
Tuition Assistance for Mexican Students (TAMS)
Open to F-1 students from Mexico. Financial need is established through the International Student Financial Aid Application; a new application is required each academic year and an activated NetID is needed to access the form. Applicants are usually notified within two weeks.
International TPEG and other sources
TXST also administers other support for international students, such as International TPEG — details are held by the university’s International Office.
Who is NOT eligible for institutional scholarships
- Students in Accelerated Online Degree Programs cannot receive institutional scholarships: National, Assured, Merit or competitive departmental and college awards.
- Students admitted through the TXST-LSCO Gateway Program cannot apply for competitive scholarships via BOSS.
- Students in the TXST Local Co-Enrollment program are likewise ineligible through BOSS.
- A GED or equivalency diploma is not eligible for freshman Merit consideration.
- Total scholarships received cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
A scholarship timeline that works
- 1
12–10 months before entry
Decide on a target SAT/ACT score if you want the Assured group. Skipping the test is fine — you are then reviewed under Merit, where class rank carries the weight.
- 2
From November 1
BOSS opens for the coming academic year. Apply for admission early so you have a NetID and can get into the system.
- 3
Before March 1
The deadline for many competitive awards (transfer, continuing students, Good Neighbor). Line up recommendation letters and your résumé well in advance.
- 4
Spring through July 1
Committees notify recipients. If you win $1,000 or more, ask the awarding department immediately about the nonresident tuition waiver form.
Model it with your own numbers
Enter your expected award in the cost calculator and tick “Use Texas resident tuition rate” to see how the total changes if the waiver applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Are international students considered like domestic applicants?
For the Assured and Merit groups, yes — TXST states these awards are guaranteed to qualified residents and nonresidents, including international students, who meet the criteria before their first semester.
How much scholarship unlocks resident tuition?
At least $1,000 in Texas State competitive or merit scholarships. That can qualify you for the nonresident tuition competitive scholarship waiver, subject to Selective Service registration or exemption and lawful presence in the United States.
Are there awards without SAT/ACT?
Yes. The Texas State Merit group is designed for test-optional applicants in the top 35% of their class, assessed through an academic review. Values vary by profile and available funding.
When does BOSS open and when are the deadlines?
BOSS opens by November 1 each year for the following academic year. Each award carries its own deadline inside the system; many competitive awards use March 1.
Can online students receive scholarships?
No. Students in online degree programs are not eligible for institutional scholarships — National, Assured, Merit or competitive departmental and college awards.
Can awards be combined?
Yes, scholarships stack with each other and with financial aid, but the combined total cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
What keeps a scholarship active?
Freshman awards require a 3.25 cumulative TXST GPA (3.5 for National Distinction) and 28 passing hours per year. Transfer awards require a 3.0 GPA and 24 hours in the previous year.
Want to know which awards your profile can reach?
Send your transcript and test scores if you have them — the International Office maps them against each scholarship group and tells you what is realistic, with the dates you need to hit.