Forty Acres Scholars Program

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is the premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship for The University of Texas at Austin. Administered by the Texas Exes, this scholarship program offers a rich college experience that provides academic, leadership, professional, and cultural opportunities within an intimate cohort of fellow scholars.

Eligibility  

• High school seniors applying to UT Austin
• In-state and out-of-state students
• Must be U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident at the time of application
• Applicants applying to the McCombs School of Business should also apply to the Canfield Business Honors Program
• Transfer and international students are not eligible to apply to the Forty Acres Scholars Program, but are eligible for other Texas Exes scholarships

Criteria

The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. Our Scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of The University of Texas at Austin.  

Students who have the best chance of being invited to the Forty Acres Scholars Program Finalist Weekend:

• Are well-rounded individuals who distinguish themselves through a variety of leadership roles, extracurricular activities, and community service
• Display intellectual curiosity and excel academically
• Possess extraordinary intellectual ability and desire to use their ability to be catalysts for change in the world
• Exemplify good citizenship and servant leadership
• Possess distinguished social skills and interact easily with adults as well as peers

How to Apply

Applying to The University of Texas at Austin via the Common App or ApplyTexas automatically submits you as a candidate for the Forty Acres Scholars Program. A standalone application is no longer required.

Only those students selected to move forward in the process will be contacted directly by the Forty Acres Scholars Program, at which point, if the student chooses to remain under consideration, there will be additional steps to complete.  

• The university’s early action deadline for the 2026–27 academic year is Oct. 15, 2025.  
• The university’s final deadline to apply is December 1, 2025.  

All applications submitted prior to the final December 1 deadline will be reviewed with equal merit regardless of the date they are submitted. Applying by the Oct. 15 priority deadline is encouraged as students will receive a decision by January 15 but is not required to be considered for the Forty Acres Scholars Program.

Only those students selected to move forward in the process will be contacted directly by the Forty Acres Scholars Program, at which point, if the student chooses to remain under consideration, there will be additional steps to complete.