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Incoming Freshmen Scholarships

Â鶹ÊÓƵ offers several scholarships regardless of major. We recommend exploring the options below and submitting your applications to be eligible for hundreds of other scholarship opportunities specific to your interest, college and major!

Presidential Scholarship


Southeast Texas Legends Scholars

  • $100,000
    4.40+ GPA and Class Rank Top 10%    OR     SAT 1330-1600 or ACT 29-36

    Applying for the Southeast Texas Legends Scholars Scholarship

    Incoming freshman with exceptionally strong academic records are invited to apply. Southeast Texas Legends Scholars receive a full-ride scholarship for four years covering tuition, fees, room and board, and books.

    Applicant Requirements:

    • First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
    • Minimum of high school GPA of 4.40+ AND top 10% of their graduating class
      • Must show a record of demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, service and/or creative endeavors
    • Must complete a FAFSA and demonstrate financial need

    Southeast Texas Legends applicants must first apply and be accepted for admission to Â鶹ÊÓƵ. In addition, you must submit a letter of interest that presents a personal statement of your academic goals and intended major, along with a current resume, an essay based on a provided prompt AND complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This scholarship does interview in front of a committee prior to being awarded. Southeast Texas Legends students are required to be a member of the Reaud Honors College through the entire undergraduate degree.


Smith-Hutson Scholars

  • $74,000
    Based on Academic Achievement and Need

    The Smith-Hutson Scholarship is based on academic achievement and need. All applicants must submit an essay, two letters of recommendation, and complete a FAFSA. Smith-Hutson Scholarship applications should be submitted online through .

    This scholarship is open to incoming freshman and transfer students who have completed a minimum of 50 credit hours and/or have obtained an associate's degree. Incoming freshmen are eligible for four years of funding, or up to eight semesters and transfer students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of two years. Students on scholarship must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester and maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA.

    The Smith-Hutson Scholars award will give students $74,000 over four years and will cover 90-95% of the student's bill. 

    GET MORE INFORMATION


Cardinal Elite Scholars

  • $40,000
    4.25+ GPA and Class Rank Top 10%    OR     SAT 1330-1600 or ACT 29-36

    Applying for the Cardinal Elite Scholars Scholarship

    There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

    • First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
    • Minimum high school GPA of 4.25+ AND top 10% of their graduating class OR
    • Submit a qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) score for consideration
    • International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1330+) or ACT (29+) score for consideration

    The Cardinal Elite Scholars award will give students $40,000 over four years. $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition and $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward on-campus residence hall. If a student chooses to not live in the residence hall, their room scholarship will be forfeited. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.


Academic Excellence Scholars

  • $32,000
    3.95+ GPA and Class Rank Top 25%    OR     SAT 1200-1320 or ACT 25-25

    Applying for the Academic Excellence Scholars Scholarship

    There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

    • First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
    • Minimum high school GPA of 3.95+ AND top 25% of their graduating class OR
    • Submit a qualifying SAT (1200-1320) or ACT (25-18) score for consideration
    • International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1200-1320) or ACT (25-18) score for consideration

    The Academic Excellence Scholars award will give students $32,000 over four years. $6,000 per year ($3,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition and $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward on-campus residence hall. If a student chooses to not live in the residence hall, their room scholarship will be forfeited. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.


Distinguished Scholars

  • $20,000
    3.65-3.94 GPA and Class Rank Top 25%    OR     SAT 1080-1190 or ACT 21-24

    Applying for the Distinguished Scholars Scholarship

    There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

    • First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
    • Minimum high school GPA of 3.95+ AND top 25% of their graduating class OR
    • Submit a qualifying SAT (1080-1190) or ACT (21-24) score for consideration
    • International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1080-1190) or ACT (21-24) score for consideration

    The Distinguished Scholars award will give students $20,000 over four years. $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) will be applied toward tuition. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.


University Scholars

  • $8,000
    3.50-3.64 GPA and Class Rank Top 50%    OR     SAT 1010-1070 or ACT 19-21

    Applying for the University Scholars Scholarship

    There is no application for this scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the scholarship if they:

    • First-time in college freshman (dual credit and AP are not disqualifying)
    • Minimum high school GPA of 3.50-3.64 AND top 50% of their graduating class OR
    • Submit a qualifying SAT (1010-1070) or ACT (19-21) score for consideration
    • International students - submit a qualifying SAT (1010-1170) or ACT (19-21) score for consideration

    The Distinguished Scholars award will give students $8,000 over four years. $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) will be applied toward tuition. The scholarship amount is divided evenly between fall and spring semesters.


All students are invited to fill out the supplemental LU Scholarship application in the portal. The supplemental application will match your qualifications with other endowed scholarship awards.

Endowed scholarships will be awarded after the January 15th priority deadline.

LU awards more than $20 million in scholarships each year. Complete your FAFSA and TASFA and use code 003581 to be eligible for additional financial aid. 

*High school GPA will be calculated on a 5.0 weighted scale.
**Class rank requirements will not apply to homeschool students or high schools that do not rank students.