The starting point
UTEP's flagship merit award—the UTEP Excellence Scholarship—provides $2,000–$8,000/year to top-25%-class high school seniors via a competitive application; up to 10 students per cohort can win the Presidential Scholarship, which covers full cost of attendance including on-campus housing.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 6 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Paydirt Promise
100% of tuition and fees (TX resident, family income ≤$100,000) · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: SAP required to continue (specific GPA floor not published on the Paydirt Promise page; SAP policy linked separately)
Eligibility: Be a Texas resident pursuing first bachelor's degree. Family income of $100,000 or less. Submit FAFSA or TASFA and all required documents. Enroll in minimum 9 credits each fall and spring. All eligible students who complete the FAFSA or TASFA are automatically considered — no separate scholarship application required.
Renewal: Continuing students must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and earn 21 credits each academic year (summer enrollment is not required but counts). Minimum enrollment of 9 credits each fall and spring.
Other terms: Need-based program (income gate: ≤$100,000). Classified as automatic because any eligible student who files FAFSA/TASFA is automatically considered — no merit application. However, it is need-tested, so 'automaticOnStats' reflects the automatic consideration structure. Covers tuition and fees only (not full COA). If part of tuition is paid by exemption, military benefits, or other tuition-specific awards, UTEP only covers the difference. Paydirt Promise students with highest need who meet certain requirements may also qualify for the Miner Success Grant.
https://www.utep.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/paydirt-promise.html
UTEP Excellence Scholarship
$2,000–$8,000 per year · Published range
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Top 25% of junior class (GPA and class rank are part of scoring; no minimum GPA floor stated beyond ranking) · SAT: Not required nor considered · ACT: Not required nor considered
Eligibility: Application required at utep.edu/excellence. Opens October 1 each year; deadline January 31 before high school graduation. Reviewed by committee of UTEP faculty, staff, and alumni on academic excellence, leadership, and service. State residents, international, and out-of-state students welcome.
Renewal: Renewable for up to four years. To remain eligible, students must enroll full-time, maintain a 3.0 GPA, earn 30 credits each year, and participate in service activities at UTEP.
Other terms: SAT and ACT scores are explicitly not required nor considered. Award amount within the $2,000–$8,000 range is not broken into a published grid; exact amount per recipient is not stated on the page. Most scholarships require enrollment in 15 credit hours per the awards-calculated page.
https://www.utep.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships.html
Presidential Scholarship (top tier of UTEP Excellence Scholarship)
Full cost of attendance including on-campus housing · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Top 25% of junior class (same as Excellence Scholarship; selection from top applicants in the cohort) · SAT: Not required nor considered · ACT: Not required nor considered
Eligibility: Selected from the top 10 applicants within each Excellence Scholarship cohort. Application is the same as the Excellence Scholarship (utep.edu/excellence, deadline January 31). No separate application.
Renewal: Same renewal terms as Excellence Scholarship (full-time enrollment, 3.0 GPA, 30 credits/year, service activities). Duration not separately stated beyond the up-to-four-years Excellence Scholarship framework.
Other terms: Up to ten recipients per cohort. Covers full COA including on-campus housing — not just tuition/fees. This is the most competitive tier within the Excellence Scholarship competition.
https://www.utep.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships.html
