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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

North Texas (UNT)
Decision sheet

Texas · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Large Texas public with a fully automatic class-rank-by-GPA merit grid (up to $12,000/year, no application) and one of the most generous National Merit Finalist packages in the country — a four-year ride worth $128,000 in-state or $177,000 out-of-state.

Published academic criteria. These awards are recorded as automatic on academic criteria. Match the published grades and scores, then check residency, entering year and every additional condition.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 4 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.

UNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 1% class rank

$8,000–$12,000 per year · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.25

Eligibility: Top 1% high school class rank. $12,000/yr at 3.75-4.00 unweighted GPA, $10,000 at 3.50-3.74, $8,000 at 3.25-3.49. Automatic for first-time freshmen admitted by March 1, 2026; no separate application. Add $1,000/yr with a 1350+ SAT or 30+ ACT submitted by July 1, 2026.

Renewal: Maintain a minimum cumulative UNT GPA of 3.00 and complete a minimum of 24 UNT hours each year during fall and spring; continuous full-time enrollment required.

https://financialaid.unt.edu/unt-excellence-scholarships.html

UNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 5% class rank

$6,000–$10,000 per year · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.25

Eligibility: Top 5% class rank. $10,000/yr at 3.75-4.00 GPA, $8,000 at 3.50-3.74, $6,000 at 3.25-3.49. Automatic, no application. $1,000/yr test bonus with 1350+ SAT or 30+ ACT.

Renewal: Minimum cumulative UNT GPA of 3.00 and 24 UNT hours each year during fall and spring.

https://financialaid.unt.edu/unt-excellence-scholarships.html

UNT Excellence Scholarship — Top 10% class rank

$5,000–$8,000 per year · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: 3.25

Eligibility: Top 10% class rank. $8,000/yr at 3.75-4.00 GPA, $6,000 at 3.50-3.74, $5,000 at 3.25-3.49. Automatic, no application. $1,000/yr test bonus with 1350+ SAT or 30+ ACT.

Renewal: Minimum cumulative UNT GPA of 3.00 and 24 UNT hours each year during fall and spring.

https://financialaid.unt.edu/unt-excellence-scholarships.html

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: UNT lets outside scholarships stack on top of institutional merit up to your Cost of Attendance — it only reduces aid if an outside award pushes you over COA or over your FAFSA-calculated need. You must report any external scholarship to Financial Aid and Scholarships so it can be posted.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/university-of-north-texas/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.