Students at Texas A&M get a world-class education at a reasonable cost—and graduate with far less college-related debt than their peers at other universities. We award over $50,000 in scholarships annually to undergraduate students in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications and support graduate students through assistantships and fellowships, travel and research grants. This funding is made possible by donors and supporters of the department including former students, family and friends, former faculty and industry sponsors.
Non-Resident Tuition Waiver
Available for graduate or undergraduate students, The Competitive Scholarship waiver, authorized under Texas Education Code 54.213a, is an optional waiver that institutions can implement. An eligible non-resident student who holds a competitive academic scholarship of a specified minimum dollar amount for the academic year or summer for which the student is enrolled may be eligible to pay the fees and charges required of Texas residents without regard to the length of time the student has resided in Texas. Learn more about requirements and eligibility for the non-resident tuition waiver.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Our department offers over 35 scholarships annually to undergraduate students to help make higher education more affordable and accessible. To be eligible for these scholarships, undergraduate students need to fill out the university scholarship application. Scholarship awards are assessed each year and given based on need and availability of funds. Students may be eligible for different scholarships based on the type of student they are. For more information on application deadlines, please visit the Important Dates page on the university website. Students will be notified by the department if they have received an award.
Graduate Funding Opportunities
There are a number of fellowship and scholarship opportunities that are available to graduate students. The following discussion summarizes some of the major opportunities currently available. Most provide a nonresident tuition waiver. Check with the department graduate office and Office of Graduate Studies for details. Students holding fellowships should check the current graduate catalog to determine registration requirements.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships
Graduate fellowships are awarded annually based on availability of funding and need. They are open to master’s and doctoral students. Graduate teaching and research assistantship positions are available on a competitive basis to qualified individuals. Applicants interested in an assistantship should complete a separate application.
Graduate Scholarships
To be eligible for university scholarships, graduate students need to fill out the university scholarship application. In addition to university scholarships, the Department may offer a limited number of competitive or travel scholarships based on merit and financial need. Recipients of such scholarships are eligible for a waiver of non-resident tuition. Requests for applications will be announced and distributed through the department. The department encourages students to seek external funding with outside entities. A few are listed below:
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
- National Science Foundation Special Projects for Graduate Students
- Agriculture and Food Research Initiative-Education and Workforce Development
- American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- The PhD Project
- Department of Energy
- McNair Scholars Program
Graduate Student Research and Presentation Travel Award
The Graduate and Professional School’s Graduate Student Research and Presentation (RAP) Travel Award provides graduate students with educational and professional development opportunities through reimbursing up to $750 for travel expenses associated with academic conferences and research projects in the United States and abroad.
Department Travel Funding – High Impact Experiences Scholarship
Students participating in national or regional conferences or in an international experience study away or abroad may be eligible for departmental or college funding. The department travel request deadline is at least 2 months prior to conference travel and applications must be submitted according to the following timelines:
- May, Summer and Fall International Travel: February 1
- Wintermester and Spring International Travel: November 1
- Conference Travel Requests: Accepted on a rolling basis until May 1