Scholarship Monthly

Welcome to our Monthly Scholarship Newsletter!

We know the scholarship search can sometimes feel overwhelming, so our goal is to make the process a little easier. Each month, we'll share helpful tips and resources to guide you through the scholarship process, from getting organized and writing strong essays to meeting deadlines and finding opportunities that are right for you.

You'll also find a collection of scholarships available to students across the country, with a variety of eligibility requirements, award amounts, and deadlines. Whether you're just beginning your search or already applying, we encourage you to check back each month for new opportunities.

Remember, scholarships aren't just about grades. There are opportunities based on interests, talents, experiences, career goals, community involvement, and so much more.

Start early. Stay organized. Keep applying. Every application is another opportunity to invest in your future.

Happy scholarship searching!

Rockwall ISD Student Services Department

One of the best places to look for scholarship opportunities is right here in our own community! Rockwall ISD students have access to scholarships specifically designated for local students and generously provided by organizations, businesses, foundations, and community partners throughout Rockwall County.

Seniors—Mark Your Calendars!

More information, important dates, and application instructions will be shared as we get closer to December, so be sure to check this newsletter each month for updates!

Your scholarship search can extend far beyond your school and local community! Each month, we’ll highlight a variety of scholarship opportunities available to students across the country. These scholarships are not affiliated with Rockwall ISD, but are shared as additional opportunities to help students see just how far their scholarship search can reach.

For each scholarship, we’ve included a brief description, eligibility requirements, award amount, and application deadline to help you quickly determine which opportunities may be a good fit. We encourage students to explore and apply often. Remember, every scholarship, big or small, can make a difference!

1. The Andrew S. Mathers Scholarship is to help aid one winner that shows merit, grit, financial need, and good academic standing. As an estate planning attorney and a father, I’ve seen the financial impact on families with the soaring costs of college.

Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school or college. Scholarship applicants can either mail or email in their application. Please include all of the following with your application:

• Provide a 500-word minimum essay on the value of hard work and what it has taught you
• School transcripts
• Employment history
• Headshot

Applications by email: Please send your documents to scholarship@andrewmatherslaw.com.

Deadline: All entries must be submitted by September 1, 2026. The scholarship winner will be notified by telephone & will receive a check via certified mail in their name no later than October 1.

2. Be The Boss Scholarship future female entrepreneurs. The scholarship supports young female students around the world who dream of starting their own business. Apply by the scholarship deadline for a chance to receive an award. Scholarships are limited and awarded to selected applicants each term.

Eligibility: Young women with a business idea or a newly launched business. The scholarship is open to both current female entrepreneurs and those who simply have a strong idea and the drive to start one. As long as you can provide a clear business plan, we encourage you to apply.

Deadline: All entries must be submitted by September 15, 2026. The scholarship award is $2,000.

3. Because College is Expensive Scholarship: It's no secret that college is expensive. It's also no secret that applying to scholarships is often a time-consuming and stressful process. For these reasons, we created the "Because College Is Expensive" $500 scholarship.

Eligibility: The “Because College is Expensive” Scholarship is open to high school sophomores and above, college students, and graduate school students. Deadline: All entries must be submitted by September 30, 2026. The scholarship award is $500.

4. The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.

Eligibility: A high school senior, Pell-eligible, a US citizen or permanent resident, and must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. All entries must be submitted by September 15, 2026. Award Amount: Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.

*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, books, housing and food, and may include additional personal costs.

5. Cashtelligent Financial Literacy Scholarship designed to encourage students to increase their financial literacy skills, adopt positive habits for managing their personal finances both in college and beyond, and to support students with their higher education needs.

Eligibility: Applicants must be high school or college students, graduate school students, adult students or parents of a student enrolled or planning to enroll in any accredited college in the U.S. There are no requirements for field of study. The award amount is $1,000 and may be used at any college to study any major. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.

6. Don't Text and Drive Scholarship helps you understand the risks of texting while driving.

Eligibility: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026 to coincide with September's No Texting while Driving Day. The scholarship award is $1,000.

7. The Return2College Scholarship is a $1,000 award designed to support students pursuing higher education, whether they are just beginning college or returning to school.

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, at least 17 years old, and either currently enrolled full- or part-time in college or graduate school or planning to begin a higher education program within the next 12 months. There is no maximum age limit, making this opportunity available to both traditional and nontraditional students. To apply, students complete a short application and answer the question “Why are you getting your degree?” in three sentences or fewer. The first-place recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship, which can be paid directly to the student or their designated school. The next application deadline is September 30, 2026.

8. Building Bridges Scholarship is for students who are committed to volunteering and making a difference in their communities.

Eligibility:

• Be a high school junior or senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student
• Have a grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 system
• Recipients must provide an official transcript confirming their reported GPA and proof of enrollment. No transcript or proof of enrollment is required until after students are selected as winners.

The scholarship award amount is $1,000 and the deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.

9. The Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Scholarship provides $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing education and training for careers in the skilled trades.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a high school senior, high school graduate, or GED recipient and must plan to enroll—or already be enrolled within one year—in an approved trade-related program at an accredited two-year school or institution in the United States, including technical or vocational schools, community colleges, and training centers. Eligible career paths include carpentry, construction management, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. The next deadline to apply is September 30, 2026. Winners are typically notified approximately four to six weeks after each deadline, and scholarship funds must be used within one year of acceptance and are paid directly to the recipient’s school or training center.

10. QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship is your pathway to opportunity.

Eligiblity: Through QuestBridge, high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds can apply for free for early admission and a full four-year scholarship at our 55 college partners. The National College Match application gives you extra space to showcase your unique talents, story, and determination. This allows our 55 college partners to see how you have excelled academically despite financial hardship. Match Scholarships are provided directly by our college partners. The Match Scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including:

• Tuition and fees
• Housing and food
• Books and supplies
• Travel expenses

The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 1 2026.

11. College JumpStart Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition— financial need is not considered—that is open to 10th-12th graders, college students and non-traditional students. The main requirement is that you are committed to going to school and can express your goals for getting a higher education. The first place prize is a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses. This award can be used at any college or university in the United States.

Eligibility:

• Current student (high school 10th-12th or college) or planning to enter college within the next 12 months
• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Complete the online application including the personal statement
• Financial need is not considered nor are grades or test scores

The deadline to apply is December 31, 2026.

12. The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest gives high school and college students the opportunity to earn an $8,000 college scholarship by sharing the story of someone in their community who has inspired them in an extraordinary way. Applicants may submit either a written essay of 500 words or fewer or a video essay of no more than three minutes.

Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, be a legal U.S. resident of an eligible state—including Texas—and have at least one year or 18 semester hours remaining before completing an undergraduate degree; students who have not yet started college must begin by the 2027–2028 academic year. The contest is held quarterly, with four $8,000 scholarships awarded each quarter. The remaining 2026 deadlines are September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Scholarship funds are paid to the winner's designated accredited college and may be used toward undergraduate tuition and other college-related expenses.

September is the month to get organized, explore your options, and start completing the steps that will make senior year, and life after graduation, much easier. Don’t wait until spring to start thinking about what comes next!

• Finalize your postsecondary list. Narrow down colleges, trade/technical programs, military options, or career pathways you want to explore.
• Know your deadlines. Create a calendar or spreadsheet for admissions, scholarships, financial aid, testing, and other important dates.
• Start submitting applications. Many college applications are already open. Work on essays, activities lists, résumés, and supplemental questions now instead of waiting until deadlines approach.
• Request recommendation letters early. Ask teachers, counselors, coaches, or mentors now, and give them plenty of time to write a thoughtful recommendation.
• Order transcripts & test scores. Learn your school's process for requesting transcripts and determine whether your colleges require SAT/ACT scores.
• Build your scholarship routine. Set aside time every week to search and apply for scholarships. Look at national opportunities, local organizations, employers, colleges, and community foundations.
• Create a scholarship résumé. Keep your activities, leadership roles, volunteer service, honors, work experience, and accomplishments in one document so they're easy to reference on applications.
• Start a reusable essay bank. Save strong responses about your goals, challenges, accomplishments, leadership, community service, and career plans. You can adapt them for multiple scholarships.
• Research the cost, not just the school. Compare tuition, housing, fees, scholarships, and financial aid so you understand the potential cost of each option.
• Attend college & career events. Take advantage of college fairs, campus visits, career nights, military representatives, and information sessions.
• Talk about the financial plan. Have a conversation with your family about what is realistically affordable and what you'll need from scholarships, grants, work, or other resources.
• Check your email! Colleges, counselors, scholarship organizations, and financial aid offices will send important information throughout senior year. Make it a habit to check regularly.

A simple goal for seniors: Apply for at least one scholarship every week in September. Four applications may not feel like much, but building the habit now can turn into dozens of scholarship applications by graduation.

September reminder: You do not have to have your entire future figured out right now. You just need to start taking the next steps. Small actions this month can make a BIG difference when spring arrives.

The 2027–2028 FAFSA will become available this fall, so September is the perfect time for seniors and families to get prepared. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study, student loans, and may also be used by colleges and states when awarding financial aid. Completing a few important steps now can make the application process much easier once the FAFSA becomes available.

Before the FAFSA opens, seniors and families should:

• Create your StudentAid.gov account. Students need their own account, and each required parent or other contributor will need a separate account.
• Determine who your FAFSA contributor(s) will be. This is especially important for families with divorced, separated, or remarried parents.
• Double-check personal information. Make sure names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, email addresses, and other identifying information are accurate.
• Gather financial information. Have tax information and records of assets, child support received, and other required financial information available.
• Build your college or career-school list. You can send FAFSA information to schools you're considering, even if you haven't been accepted yet.
• Check financial-aid priority deadlines. Colleges and states may have their own deadlines, and some aid is limited, so completing the FAFSA early is a good idea.

September FAFSA Goal: Have the student and all required contributors create their StudentAid.gov accounts before the FAFSA opens. That way, your family is ready to complete the application as soon as the 2027–28 form becomes available.

Rockwall ISD students and families are invited to attend our College & Career Night on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus.

This is a great opportunity for students to explore their options after high school and connect directly with representatives from colleges, universities, trade schools, and military recruiters from Texas and across the country. Students can ask questions about admissions, programs, scholarships, career pathways, and other postsecondary opportunities while discovering options they may not have considered before.

Please register for this event, as participating colleges will scan each student’s individual QR code to share information and stay connected after the event. Whether you already have a plan for life after graduation or are just beginning to explore your options, College & Career Night is a great place to start!

My Texas Future is a free college and career planning resource from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board designed to help Texas students explore their options and prepare for life after high school. Students can use the platform to explore careers based on their interests and skills, compare career earnings and education requirements, research college programs and costs, create college and career action plans, and access resources for applying to college and paying for their education.

When students create a free My Texas Future account, they can personalize their experience, save information and preferences, track activities and accomplishments, build their college and career plans, and access tools such as Direct Admissions. Through Direct Admissions, eligible Texas students can learn which participating Texas colleges may offer them admission based on academic information such as their GPA, class rank, and test scores—potentially allowing students to see college opportunities available to them before they even submit an application.

As part of Texas' Direct Admissions initiative, graduating high school students have the opportunity to allow academic and educational information to be shared with participating Texas institutions of higher education. This information can help colleges identify students who may qualify for admission and provide them with information about postsecondary opportunities. Families who do not want their student's information shared with colleges and universities for Direct Admissions will need to complete the district's opt-out form. Texas law provides students and families with this opt-out option and requires school districts to make the form available.

More information will be coming soon to our Class of 2027 students and families regarding My Texas Future, Direct Admissions, account creation, and the district opt-out process. We encourage families to review this information carefully so they can make the choice that is best for their student.

Explore My Texas Future

uAspire: Free Virtual Financial Aid Events
uAspire hosts free virtual events to walk students and families through the financial aid process, provide resources and guidance, and answer questions.

uAspire hosts free virtual events to walk students and families through the financial aid process, provide resources and guidance, and answer questions. Topics include:

• Scholarships Basics and Tips -- Tue, Sep 29, 5:00-6:00 PM ET / 2:00-3:00 PM PT
• FAFSA Walkthrough -- Mon, Oct 19, 6:00-7:00 PM ET / 3:00-4:00 PM PT

Sign up at the link below! Each session is one hour.