20 Great Scholarships for Students in the Southwest

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Earning a degree below the 39th parallel can be considerably cheaper with tuition assistance from scholarships in the Southwest.

The Southwest traditionally stretches from Arkansas through New Mexico and Arizona to California. Since the Gadsden Purchase was made in 1853, the region’s population has grown to approximately 11 million. College students are often attracted to the Southwest for its:

  • ethnic diversity
  • Mexican-inspired cuisine
  • scorching sunshine
  • stunning natural landmarks like Carlsbad Caverns

Several top-ranked universities call the Southwest home. These include:

  • Arizona State
  • Texas A&M
  • Southern Methodist
  • Brigham Young.

10 Most Beautiful Colleges in the Southwest

Nevada was honored as America’s fastest-growing state, so it’s clear many graduates remain in the Southwest. Job prospects are also blooming at the 70+ Fortune 500 companies, including:

  • Exxon Mobil
  • Avnet
  • Devon Energy
  • Southwest Airlines.

Fulfill your career potential by cashing in some of these 20 great Southwestern scholarships for college.

Exploring Top Southwestern Scholarships Available

1. AWWA Southwest Section Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: June 25th

The Southwest Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) offers three $1,000 scholarships annually. They go to one college student each in:

  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • Oklahoma

It’s intended for high school graduates who have a parent or legal guardian who has held AWWA membership for at least 12 months. Funding can reduce tuition and fees at any accredited two- or four-year U.S. college. Arkansans can specifically apply for the $2,000 Ted and Clara Gentry Scholarship, too.

Contact

AWWA Southwest Section Memorial Scholarships

30 Hidden Hills Lake

Arnaudville, LA 70512

(501) 476-0189

ExecDir@swawwa.org

Scholarship Link

2. Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: June 15th

The Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarship is named after the president of Dallas’ Columbia Packing Company. It grants at least $2,500 from the Southwest Meat Association to students from:

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana

Suitable candidates must be enrolled full-time at accredited U.S. universities with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. They must be majoring in one of these:

  • animal science
  • food science
  • beef production
  • agricultural engineering.

It can be aand similar major as long as it leads to entrance into the commercial meat industry.

Contact

Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarship

505 University Drive E. Suite 701

College Station, TX 77840

(979) 846-9011

info@southwestmeat.org.

Scholarship Link

3. Charles W. Margolf Higher Education Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

The Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute offers the $2,750 Charles W. Margolf Higher Education Scholarship. It’s for former scholars pursuing post-graduate degrees in mining-related fields, including:

  • engineering
  • geology
  • mineral processing
  • metallurgy science

Those who can apply include Southwest residents of:

  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • New Mexico
  • Texas
  • Utah

Additional qualifications include:

  • being United States citizens
  • expressing interest in Western coal careers
  • having academic merit.
Contact

Charles W. Margolf Higher Education Scholarship

3500 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Suite 211

Lakewood, CO 80235

(303) 948-3300

mail@rmcmi.org

Scholarship Link

4. Church’s Partners Community Scholarships

Deadline: February 15th

Several Southwestern states qualify for the $1,000, one-time Church’s Partners Community Scholarships. These include:

  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • California
  • New Mexico
  • Nevada
  • Texas

It’s funded by the Cajun chicken chain. The program supports legal U.S. residents who are enrolling full-time or part-time at accredited post-secondary schools. They must have a minimum 2.7 GPA. The online application from Scholarship America must include:

  • a transcript
  • adult applicant appraisal form
  • personal goals statement.
Contact

Church’s Partners Community Scholarships

980 Hammond Drive Suite 1100

Atlanta, GA 30328

(770) 512-3975

CPFoundation@Churchs.com

Scholarship Link

5. Floyd E. McDonald Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 1st

The Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists Inc. sponsors the Floyd E. McDonald Scholarship Program. It gifts $1,000 awards to undergraduates in:

  • Arkansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • New Mexico

Eligible juniors and seniors must be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at least half-time (6+ credits) in:

  • forensics
  • chemistry
  • biology
  • related natural sciences

Applicants must have  a cumulative B average or better for careers in crime investigation. Don’t forget to attach an official transcript and three recommendations.

Contact

Floyd E. McDonald Scholarship Program

P.O. Box 2106

Humble, TX 77347

(719) 253-3813

swafstreasurer@swafs.us

Scholarship Link

6. George J. Elking Jr. Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 30th

The George J. Elking Jr. Scholarship Fund honors the VP of Marketing & Sales at Slay Industries and two-time SWARS Person of the Year. The Southwest Association of Rail Shippers administers the Fund for $500 to $2,000 annually. Applicants can be college-bound high school seniors from:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Southern California
  • Colorado
  • Kansas
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Utah

They must beenrolling at regionally accredited U.S. institutions for their first bachelor’s degree.

Contact

George J. Elking Jr. Scholarship Fund

8800 E. Chaparral Suite 155

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

(480) 850-5757

ddiulus@srmaterials.com

Scholarship Link

7. Goodwill Maximum Independence Scholarship

Deadline: March 15th

Goodwill Industries offers the Maximum Independence Scholarship. It grants $1,000 to students with documented disabilities who are entering accredited U.S. colleges or vocational schools. Applications are selected from select Southwestern counties in Oklahoma and Texas. These include:

  • Baylor
  • Comanche
  • Kiowa
  • Tillman
  • Wichita

Eligibility criteria include:

  • finishing high school or GED equivalent
  • taking 12+ credits per term
  • demonstrating unmet need
  • recording at least 15 volunteer work hours.
Contact

Goodwill Maximum Independence Scholarship

1901 Gore Blvd.

Lawton, OK 73501

(580) 699-5580 ext. 3004

ldoneyneel@goodwillsont.org

Scholarship Link

8. Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

The Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship is in memory of the 1940 Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts graduate and his wife. It presents $5,000 annually to high school seniors, undergraduates, and post-graduate scholars of the performing arts. Residing in Southwestern states like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Utah is accepted. Eligible are:

  • young actors
  • set designers
  • theatrical directors
  • stage technicians
  • playwrights

They must excel academically with a cumulative GPA above 3.0.

Contact

Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship

P.O. Box 398

Pasadena, CA 91102

(626) 356-7529

submissions@sumidscholarship.com

Scholarship Link

9. Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

Deadline: March 15th

The Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships range from $400 to $1,000 They are awarded to United States citizens living in:

  • California
  • Arizona
  • Nevada

Their parents, legal guardians, or grandparents must be of Italian descent. Qualified applicants must:

  • profess the Roman Catholic faith
  • gain admission at accredited four-year colleges
  • attain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • engage in charitable efforts

The Mario Cugia Scholarship is specifically available to Italian Studies majors in the Southwest.

Contact

Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

8393 Capwell Drive Suite 110

Oakland CA 94621

(510) 633-9058

info@icf.org

Scholarship Link

10. Joe Eddleman Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 15th

The Southwestern Fertilizer Conference bestows the Joe Eddleman Memorial Scholarship for $2,500 yearly. It goes to four outstanding undergraduates who have chosen agricultural majors, including:

  • soil science
  • plant biology
  • horticulture

Natives of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana studying at any accredited U.S. institutions may apply. Applications need:

  • a course transcript
  • three recommendations
  • a 500-word essay titled “Fertilizer’s Significance in Production Agriculture.”
Contact

Joe Eddleman Memorial Scholarship

P.O. Box 339

Cedar Park TX 78630

(512) 259-2118

SWFC@SWFertilizer.org

Scholarship Link

11. John Michael Caldwell Student Scholarship

Deadline: February 21st

The John Michael Caldwell Student Scholarship is named after the first archivist at Oklahoma University’s Carl Albert Center. It provides $600 from the Society of Southwest Archivists. It’s designed for current, dues-paying members. They must be enrolled full-time in archival administration programs, including library and information science, at graduate schools in:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

Other SSA scholarships in the Southwest include the Otis Hebert Jr. and David B. Gracy II funds.

Contact

John Michael Caldwell Student Scholarship

4503 Glomar Avenue

P.O. Box 301311

Austin, TX 78721

jenniferraehecker@gmail.com

Scholarship Link

12. KASF Southwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship

Deadline: July 8th

This is for college students of Korean heritage. They must be  full-time in:

  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

They’re eligible to apply for the Southwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship. It’s for $500 to $5,000 from the Korean American Scholarship Foundation. Qualified applicants must:

  • be U.S. citizens or nationals
  • carrying a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • lacking financial assistance for tuition

Extra funds are also made available to non-Korean descendants of American veterans who served in the Korean War.

Contact

KASF Southwestern Regional Chapter Scholarship

P.O. Box 420242

Houston, TX 77242

(213) 380-5273

swrc.scholarship@kasf.org

Scholarship Link

13. Larry J. Mildren Graduate Scholarship

Deadline: October 17th

The Therapeutic Recreation Symposium for the Southwest  gifts the Larry J. Mildren Graduate Scholarship. It’s for $750 to post-graduate students studying in:

  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

Eligible master’s and PhD candidates must:

  • declare an emphasis in therapeutic recreation
  • maintain an outstanding GPA of 3.5 or better
  • have healthcare work experience
  • be supported by two recommendation letters
  • pursue the CTRS certification.
Contact

Larry J. Mildren Graduate Scholarship

20400 Colonel Glenn Road

Little Rock, AR 72210

(501) 821-5500

trssw1@gmail.com

Scholarship Link

14. Michael A. Shutt Academic Scholarship

Deadline: December 16th

The Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives offers the Michael A. Shutt Academic Scholarship.  It honors his 35-year career leading Hodges & Shutt and logging over 4,000 pilot hours. For the $1,500, undergraduate or graduate students must be attending universities in:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Nevada
  • Hawaii

They must be studying full-time to enter the aviation industry. Acceptable majors include:

  • airport administration
  • transportation engineering,
  • aviation business
  • aeronautics.
Contact

Michael A. Shutt Academic Scholarship

107 S. Southgate Drive

Chandler, AZ 85226

(480) 403-4604

vreade@santamariaairport.com

Scholarship Link

15. NEWH Dallas Chapter Scholarship

Deadline: April 3rd

The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality Dallas Chapter offers an Southwest scholarship yearly. It’s for $1,000 to female college students studying full-time in:

  • Texas
  • Missouri
  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma

Eligible candidates must attain at least junior standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must have unmet financial need in an accredited hospitality-related program, including:

  • culinary arts
  • architecture
  • event planning
  • hotel administration

There’s also a NEWH House Chapter Scholarship available.

Contact

NEWH Dallas Chapter Scholarship

5646 Milton Street Suite 213

Dallas, TX 75206

(800) 593-6394

newhdallasscholarship@gmail.com

Scholarship Link

16. Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarships

Deadline: July 5th

Led by Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, the Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarships are ideal for Southwest residents in:

  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Missouri
  • Arkansas
  • Texas

The must have Osage tribal membership. Interested Native Americans must be pursuing associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees full-time. They must be at accredited U.S. universities and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Specifically, the Eugene Daniel Scholarship supports medical-related majors and the John L. Rubel Scholarship assists with technical study.

Contact

Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarships

102 Buffalo Avenue

Hominy, OK 74035

(855) 758-8609

OsageNation@scholarshipamerica.org

Scholarship Link

17. Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Scholarships

Deadline: April 1st

The Southwest Athletic Trainers Association funds $1,000 scholarships to juniors, seniors, and graduate students from Arkansas and Texas. They must be enrolled full-time in CAATE-accredited athletic training programs. Eligibility criteria requires:

  • hold NATA membership
  • lack financial means
  • hold a 2.5 GPA or better
  • have worked in their college’s athletic department

Applications must include:

  • a personal narrative
  • two recommendations
  • unofficial transcripts.
Contact

Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Scholarships

3411 Peter’s Colony

Flower Mound, TX 75022

(469) 446-0395

DunhamW@LISD.net

Scholarship Link

18. Southwest Tribal NARCH Scholarships

Deadline: August 22nd

The Southwest Tribal Native American Research Center for Health Scholarships present up to $2,500. The scholarships are for American Indian students belonging to federally-recognized tribes, preferably in:

  • New Mexico
  • Texas
  • Colorado

Accepted candidates must carry a 3.0 GPA or higher in an accredited health-related graduate program. These include:

  • nursing
  • health administration
  • nutrition
  • public health
  • counseling
  • speech-language pathology

Also required is writing a 300-word essay about one’s commitment to serving tribal communities.

Contact

Southwest Tribal NARCH Scholarships

5015 Prospect Avenue NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

(505) 764-0036

dpeterson@aaihb.org

Scholarship Link

19. USTA Southwest Tennis Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

Valued at $1,500 each, the USTA Southwest Tennis Foundation grants four annual college scholarships. These are for varsity tennis players graduating from high schools in:

  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Texas

The merit- and need-based program seeks applicants who:

  • excel academically
  • participate in USTA tennis events
  • are enrolled in U.S. senior colleges
  • are supported with three recommendation letters

Southwestern athletes could also apply for the Sam Fields Junior Scholarship or Junior Activity Grant.

Contact

USTA Southwest Tennis Foundation Scholarships

7010 E. Acoma Drive Suite 201

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

(480) 289-2351

info@southwest.usta.com

Scholarship Link

20. William M. Olson Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 2nd

The AVS Science and Technology Society’s New Mexico Chapter hosts the William M. Olson Scholarship Program. It annually presents $3,500. Eligible are first-year freshmen who are pursuing STEM majors in the physical sciences or engineering. Eligible are Southwest residents in the Mountain Time Zone, including:

  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Arizona
  • Texas

Applications must arrive with:

  • an official transcript
  • SAT/ACT score
  • one-page goals statement
  • two endorsement letters from science teachers.
Contact

William M. Olson Scholarship Program

P.O. Box 5800, MS-1248

Albuquerque, NM 87185

(505) 844-8066

cynakak@sandia.gov

Scholarship Link

Affording a college education in the Southwest won’t necessarily make your bank account drier than the Sonoran Desert. Bargains can be found at inexpensive schools like New Mexico Highlands University where in-state tuition costs $5,400. Yet private, nonprofit institutions like Rice University charge upwards of $40,000 yearly. Luckily, financial aid opportunities are nearly as vast as the Grand Canyon to lower out-of-pocket tuition costs without racking up debt. Consider these 20 great scholarships in the Southwest along with state-based programs like the Texas Public Educational Grant or Arizona Post-Secondary Education Grant.

GCD Staff

Related:

This concludes our review of top Southwestern scholarships that can make your college tuition more reasonable.

Find Your Degree!