The 40 Acres Scholars Program is built on the existing Texas Exes Awards for Scholarship and Leadership, which was established in 1982 to enhance the ability of The University of Texas to attract and retain the most talented students.
40 Acres Scholars will be well-rounded and have demonstrated extraordinary intellectual qualities, a breadth and depth of effective leadership experiences, initiative and perseverance, good citizenship and social skills to interact easily with adults and well as peers.
Current Scholars in a comparable program scored 1400 or higher on the two-part SAT/or 32 on the ACT,
many were recognized as National Merit Scholars and all are ranked in the top 5% of their collective high school graduating classes
Using current figures, the in-state stipend for a 40 Acres Scholar will be approximately $20,000, which would include tuition, fees, books and living expenses. Out-of-state students would receive approximately $10,000 more for tuition.
Summer enrichment activities will be an integral part of the experience:
Service Learning after the freshman year,
Study Abroad after the sophomore year,
Internships or research relating to the student’s field of study after the junior year.
Full four-year undergraduate scholarships, plus funding for enrichment activities.
Priority housing in the Honors Residence Halls.
The selection process will be rigorous, considering leadership and life experiences in addition to SAT scores and class rank.
Input, recommendations and participation in the selection process from the Schools and Colleges will be vital to ensure recruitment of the students that the University wants.
Up to 75 recipients will be selected each year, resulting in approximately 300 undergraduate scholars on campus at the end of the program’s first four years and thereafter.
Each cohort will be involved in targeted programming to promote a sense of community among the Scholars.
An Advisory Board of prominent Texas Exes from School/College Advisory Councils, the Texas Exes leadership and Distinguished Alumnus Award and Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award recipients that represent a variety of professions will serve as mentors to the University Scholars.
Scholars will meet donors and learn the importance of philanthropy.
