September 1, 2022

Being a scholarship donor isn’t just for people with butlers and offshore bank accounts. Many scholarships are funded over time by selfless people in the Aggie community who have enjoyed success and are ready to pass it back to deserving students in need of extra financial support.  

Donors frequently choose to support students like themselves, giving priority to specific majors or hometowns, and giving back can ensure future Aggies have the same chance at success that they did. Read on to learn more about Texas A&M Foundation scholarships and ways you can make an impact on future generations of Aggie scholars. 
 

What scholarship programs can I give to?

The Foundation offers many scholarship programs that you can support according to your passions.  

Aggie Veteran Scholarships: You can support Texas A&M’s proud military history by establishing scholarships for Aggie student veterans or their spouses, helping fill in the gaps left by the GI Bill and Hazlewood benefits. There are three levels of veteran scholarship support, ranging from endowments of $25,000 to $100,000, that provide annual stipends to students ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. 

Corps of Cadets Scholarships: Through Corps scholarships, you can help cadets who embody the values of honor, courage, integrity, discipline and selfless service. There are four levels of Corps scholarship support that provide annual stipends to students ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. These include Keepers of the Spirit Scholarships, Corps 21 Scholarships, General Rudder Corps Scholarships and Sul Ross Scholarships. 

Endowed Opportunity Awards: These scholarships are for incoming freshmen who have exhibited a high degree of character, extracurricular involvement, leadership ability and, in most cases, evidence of financial need. A $25,000 gift will permanently endow an award to provide one student an annual stipend for four years. 

Foundation Excellence Awards: Since 1999, this program has helped recruit and retain outstanding undergraduates from historically disadvantaged groups often underserved in the Aggie student body. A $10,000 gift will fund a one-time, four-year award for one student, while a $50,000 gift will permanently endow an award to provide one student an annual stipend for four years.

Global Study Scholarships: Study abroad opportunities are available for all undergraduate and graduate students and provide them with unforgettable experiences and advantages in the business and academic worlds. A $25,000 gift provides a student with a one-year award. Every year, a new student will benefit from the scholarship. 

Graduate Fellowships: Whether they leave with master’s or doctoral degrees, Aggie graduate students take their values with them to their workplaces and their new communities. You can fund a graduate fellowship to support a graduate student with yearly stipends. A $25,000 gift will endow a fellowship, but the amount of the yearly award depends on the amount of your donation. 

J. Malon Southerland Aggie Leader Scholarships: This program recognizes and rewards student involvement and leadership at Texas A&M, reflecting the university’s commitment to learning both in and out of the classroom. A $25,000 gift provides a student with a one-year award. Every year, a new student will benefit from the scholarship. 

Regents’ Scholarships: The Regents’ Scholars Program supports first-generation undergraduates whose total family income is less than $40,000 per year. Recipients live on campus during their freshman year and participate in one of Texas A&M’s learning communities. A $100,000 gift will permanently endow an award to provide one student an annual stipend for four years. 

President’s Endowed Scholarships: Since 1968, this merit-based program has been inspiring high-achieving high school seniors to make Texas A&M their school of choice. These scholarships reward incoming freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements in high school; financial information is not considered. A $100,000 gift will permanently endow a scholarship to provide one student an annual stipend for four years. 

Can I customize my scholarship?

Yes! If you choose to give through one of our existing scholarship programs, you can customize elements of your scholarship, such as specifics about the type of student it supports.  

You can also create a general scholarship of your own design rather than giving through one of our existing programs. These general scholarships are often established through the university’s various colleges and are major-specific. Just like scholarships given through one of our existing programs, you can name your general scholarship in memory or honor of a person, class or organization, and you can direct it to support a student of any classification in a particular major, field of study, or from a specific geographic region. Endowed general scholarships begin at $25,000. 

Can I name my scholarship?

Yes! While many donors use their own names, scholarships can also be named in memory or honor of a person, class or organization of your choice. 

How are scholarships awarded to Aggies?

Scholarship recipients are selected from a pool of qualified applicants and are awarded on a variety of factors, such as academic achievement or financial need. Apart from the Foundation Excellence Award, the Foundation does not administer scholarship applications or programs. Scholarship opportunities vary according to student qualifications, so please review more detailed information at Texas A&M Scholarships and Financial Aid. 

What assets can I use to fund a scholarship?

Scholarship gifts may be made in the form of cash, securities, real estate or other real property. All endowed gifts are payable over a five-year period, and all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

What is the difference between an endowed scholarship and a pass-through scholarship?

Endowed scholarships are crucial to Texas A&M’s future because they provide benefits to students for generations. As your gift is invested in the Foundation’s portfolio, it is carefully managed to produce a consistent stream of annual returns that support the scholarship program you designate. While most donors choose to create an endowed gift that will last forever, you may also fund a one-time, pass-through scholarship.

Learn more about endowments in the video below.

How do I give an endowment?

There are several flexible methods of giving an endowment! Learn more in the graphic below.

* The pass-through gift is awarded to the student. Future stipend amounts are awarded at the discretion of the account administrator. These examples assume payments are made by check or cash. Gifts made by credit cards may extend the payout date because of the 3% fee. Gifts supporting scholarship programs including the President’s Endowed Scholarship, Endowed Opportunity Award, Foundation Excellence Award, Regents’ Scholarship and Corps of Cadets Scholarships may vary from the above mentioned stipend amount. Please contact a program administrator for stipends related to these accounts.

 

Is it better to give a little money to many students or a lot of money to one student?

Both options have different benefits. While one large scholarship would make a big difference to one student, breaking up your gift into smaller scholarships allows more students to feel recognized for their hard work. Being chosen for a scholarship, regardless of size, is a source of pride and motivation for many recipients. Choosing how to divide your gift is most dependent on what kind of impact you prefer. 

Will I get to meet my scholarship recipient?

Yes, if you choose to. You will receive a thank-you note from your recipient and can meet them at annual scholarship events. Some students and donors form a mentor/mentee relationship. Endowed donors will also get an annual report from the Foundation on the status of their endowment. 

What if I don't have the resources to fund an endowed scholarship today?

Very few donors give large gifts up-front, so you are in good company if emptying your bank account isn’t in the cards for you today. Endowed scholarships are payable over a five-year period, so you can make a gift work for your budget and schedule. Another option is matching funds, which are often available through your employer, another donor or occasionally the university. Pooling funds with siblings, friends or colleagues is also a great way to work toward a common charitable goal and have a greater impact. Planned gifts are another option that allow you to know your estate will continue to give back after your lifetime. 

 

Ready to make a difference for a deserving Aggie? Contact Al Pulliam ’87 using the form below to learn more about creating your own scholarship.