International Student Merit Scholarship
Award
All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for the International Merit Scholarship. The award can reduce the total cost of attendance between $3000-$10,000 (two semesters). For international students on F-1 visas, the scholarship will reflect the in state residency tuition rate. The award only applies to tuition and fees. All other costs, such as housing, meals, transportation, personal expenses, books, supplies, and health insurance, are not included in this scholarship. The scholarship award can only be used to study at A&M-Victoria. The awards and waivers are available for fall recipients for the fall and spring semesters for undergraduate and graduate full-time study at A&M-Victoria. This award includes the $1000 guaranteed scholarship for students living on campus.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants Must:
- Hold valid F-1 visa status
- Admitted student to A&M-Victoria
- At the time of award, the student must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits at A&M-Victoria for undergraduate students, 9 credits for graduate students.
- Students must enroll full-time for the full academic year (Fall and Spring).
- Returning/or current students must have two semesters remaining to graduate (semester receiving the scholarship cannot be the final semester)
- Returning/or current students be in good academic and immigration standing.
- Returning/Current students must have a cumulative
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for undergraduate students.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for graduate students.
- Approval for volunteer opportunities must be approved in advance. If applicable, all spring scholarship recipients must reapply for the fall merit scholarship before the deadline (see below).
- International students or students on other non-immigrant visa status
- F-1 students must be on the relevant visa status on or before the stated date of their immigration document
- F-1 students must attend mandatory International Student orientation.
- Have a demonstrated record of academic achievement.
- Complete BOTH the scholarship application forms
- First submit the online General Scholarship Application. (When you complete this application, it may say the deadline passed. Do not worry about this, just keep completing the application. We need you to complete this application as well regardless of the deadline).
- Sign in using your username and password.
- Second submit International Student Merit Scholarship Application. Please note, you will need to attach the necessary application requirements. Once you hit submit the application, along with the uploaded attachments will be sent to the International Programs Office automatically.
- Both the above mentioned applications MUST be completed in order for your scholarship application to be eligible for review.
- First submit the online General Scholarship Application. (When you complete this application, it may say the deadline passed. Do not worry about this, just keep completing the application. We need you to complete this application as well regardless of the deadline).
Additional Details:
Essay Prompt
In a 600–1000 word essay, describe how your experiences and goals as an international student have shaped your academic journey, career aspirations, and desire to contribute to the Texas A&M University-Victoria community.
Your essay should address:
- Academic achievements and educational goals
- Current or anticipated university involvement and engagement
- Interest in participating in or representing International Programs
- Community involvement and service
- Career aspirations and future goals
- Financial benefit and how this scholarship would support your educational journey
- How you uphold the mission of international education and would contribute to the A&M-Victoria community as an F-1 international student
- How you hope to continue supporting the university and international student community as a future alumnus/alumna
Essay Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed on:
- Content quality
- Organization and clarity
- Depth of reflection
- Grammar, spelling, and formatting
- Alignment with scholarship mission
Resume Guidelines
Applicants must submit a professional resume that:
- Is no longer than two pages
- Uses standard U.S. resume formatting
- Is free of spelling and grammatical errors
- Clearly organizes information using headings and consistent formatting
Resume Sections to consider
- Education
- Work Experience
- Extracurricular Activities
- Volunteer & Community Service
- Awards & Honors
PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED OR CONSIDERED.
When to Apply
Completed applications need to be submitted by the deadline:
- Fall semester deadline: June 15th
New Students
Students must be admitted to A&M-Victoria. Scholarship application will not be reviewed for those with incomplete admissions or non-admitted students.
Current and Returning Students
All conditions and requirements applies to current/ returning students at A&M-Victoria. Current/Returning students must ensure to have two semesters remaining to complete their degree program.
Maintaining the International Merit Scholarship
- Recipients must maintain full-time status.
- Must maintain satisfactory academic and immigration status during the awarding semester/ year.
- Scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduate students throughout the duration of the scholarship.
- Contribute 10 volunteer hours assisting International Programs in hosting events such as International Education Week, International Sash Ceremony and International Festival during fall, spring and summer semesters.
- International students on F-1
- New international students must attend mandatory orientation
- Scholarship recipient must pay all outstanding university bills on or before the due dates.
- Recipients continuing from a bachelor's to a master's degree program must reapply for the scholarship.
- International Merit Scholarship is not guaranteed every year. Students must reapply on or before the deadline.
Notification Process
Students will be notified via email by first week of July for Fall awards.
Students who are NOT eligible:
- Graduate students receiving a graduate assistantship or tuition scholarship
- A&M-Victoria Athletes receiving Athletics Scholarships
- International Students receiving International Student Cultural Scholarship
- Students receiving any other A&M-Victoria tuition scholarship waivers
- Students receiving any other A&M-Victoria competitive scholarships
- Students receiving Texas resident tuition fees
- Students enrolled part time at A&M-Victoria and part time at another institution in Texas
- Failing to maintain academic and immigration status during the awarding year.