Program & Financial Benefits

The Texas Leadership Scholars (TLS) program will prepare students for life after graduation, whether their next step is a professional career or graduate school. Because only 250 students are selected to become Texas Leadership Scholars each year, encourage your TEXAS Grant-eligible, high achieving students to apply for the Texas Leadership Scholars program.

Scholars are eligible to receive funding through this renewable scholarship for up to 4 years/8 long semesters, if they continue to meet program criteria and requirements.

  • The institution will ensure 100%* of board-designated tuition and fees are covered through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid.
  • For *tuition and fees, total aid amount is capped by need as determined in the FAFSA or TASFA.
  • The Coordinating Board will provide a Housing & Food scholarship* equal to the average cost at the participating institution.
  • Housing & Food scholarship* is provided regardless if living on or off campus, this amount is capped at cost of attendance.
  • The Coordinating Board will fund summer programming opportunities.
  • Only undergraduate courses are covered, and they must be taken in the fall or spring.

At onset of awarding, the Scholarship is not transferable because we seek to ensure a cohort of students at each campus. If the student does not attend the institution which awarded the scholarship, they will be foregoing being a participant in this program.*

 

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Progressive Mentorship

Scholars will participate in progressive mentoring throughout their experience. These opportunities may include:

  • Being assigned a peer or faculty/staff mentor. Campus Coordinators will automatically serve as a mentor to Scholars.
  • Participate in a job shadowing program. Learn and receive advice from corporate and executive leaders regarding what they are looking for in new graduates.
  • Be matched with an alumni mentor who is aligned with their academic or professional goals.

 

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Undergraduate Research

Scholars receive access to on-campus research opportunities. The TLSP Campus Coordinator will help students find opportunities and provide workshops on securing research positions.

 

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Professional Development

Opportunities for individual and professional growth will take place each year. These opportunities may include: 

  • Strengths or Leadership Assessment 
  • Group Service Projects 
  • Networking events to practice communication and relationship-building skills 
  • Workshops and earning opportunities to: 
  • Resume writing 
  • Developing an elevator speech 
  • LinkedIn and other social media branding 
  • Value of diversity in teams and businesses 
  • Pursuing graduate school

 

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Living Learning Community*

 A Living Learning Community (LLC)* is a requirement of this program. This may require scholars to live on campus in a specific community with other TLS recipients for the first 2 years of the program. Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to specific institution.

*This set-up may vary by campus. If a particular campus does not provide an LLC for their scholars, supplemental programming will be offered regularly to connect the group.

 

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Summer Programs

Study Abroad
Scholars can apply to participate in a Scholars-specific paid study abroad experience.

Summer 2024:

  • 20 TLS Scholars, from 13 Participating Institutions, enjoyed a 15-day trip to San Juan, Costa Rica.
  • TLS partnered with Academic Programs International (API) to custom build this program specifically for Texas Leadership Scholars.
  • The study abroad program included a 3-credit hour course, "MGMT 3020 - Business Leadership in Rural Settings" taught by Maria Jose Meza Sibaja, a local instructor at Universidad Veritas.
Scholar Quotes:
“This study abroad trip to Costa Rica was life changing. I immersed myself in Costa Rican culture and learned invaluable lessons in Business Leadership in Rural Settings. If given the chance, I’d do it all over again! Huge thanks to the Texas Leadership Scholars Program for this transformative opportunity.”

"The study abroad trip was very well organized and allowed us to learn within the field trips we took along with the lectures given"

"It was such a great program! I really learned so much and got to meet such amazing people."

Coming Soon - Summer 2025:
  • Up to 30 TLS Scholars will be invited to enjoy a 15-day trip to San Juan, Costa Rica.
  • TLS will continue to partner with API to create a custom program specifically for TLS.
  • The students raved about the course in 2024, so we have opted to repreat the course.
    • 3-credit hour course, "MGMT 3020 - Business Leadership in Rural Settings" a local instructor at Universidad Veritas.

Annual Leadership Conference

Summer 2024:

  • 94 TLS Scholars, from 18 Participating Institutions, enjoyed a 3 Day Conference at the University of Texas. 
  • The theme: C.O.N.N.E.C.T. - Creating Opportunities. Navigating Networks. Empowering Collaborative Teamwork.

Scholar Quotes:
"One thing I learned and will take away from this conference is how important it is to build connections with other people and just how easy it is for those to become friendships rather than just people you happened to meet."

"As somone who had the opportunity to present at the conference it was an enlightening experience. I learned a great deal both personally and professionally about my topic as well as myself. Preparing and delivery my presentation allowed me to delve deeper into the subject of self-advocacy and its critical role in leadership."

"I really enjoyed getting to hear different perspectives to talk/network with other people through the table rotation activities."

Coming Soon - Summer 2025:

  • Up to 300 TLS Scholars will be invited to enjoy a 3 day Conference at the University of North Texas
  • Theme and date are TBD.