Academic Excellence Scholarship

The Clark Summer Research Program is an intensive summer research experience for first-time-in-college freshmen, including laboratory work and theory development. Topics have ranged from tinnitus studies to environmental monitoring to improving socioeconomic conditions in Colombia.

Many AES recipients either begin their academic careers at UT Dallas on track to graduate early by applying AP, IB, or dual credit earned in high school or intend to accelerate their undergraduate degree completion. The AES Program awards eight funded semesters. Per the Graduate Usage Policy, recipients who complete their undergraduate degree before exhausting all eight semesters of AES funding eligibility may request to apply their remaining semesters of AES support toward graduate studies at UT Dallas. AES funds may not be applied towards a second baccalaureate degree, post-baccalaureate, or graduate certificate.

To apply AES eligible semester to graduate school at UT Dallas, graduate matriculation must occur during the long semester immediately following undergraduate completion. Students must meet the AES requirements and receive approval from the AES program during their final undergraduate semester.

UT Dallas offers a variety of study abroad opportunities. AES funds can support scholar participation in various academic enrichment activities, including the Archer Program in Washington D.C. and other study abroad programs such as the Exchange Mobility and faculty-led study abroad programs. This program benefit can significantly reduce the costs associated with studying abroad, making it an affordable option for students seeking to experience another culture.

AES recipients must be in good standing with the University and the AES program to receive AES funds toward an approved study abroad program. Students must complete all necessary protocols through the International Center. For more information about UT Dallas’s study abroad, please visit International Education.

The AES program also provides flexibility for recipients interested in non-Exchange Mobility study abroad programs that AES cannot fund. Recipients who satisfy all required International Education protocols for any non-Exchange Mobility study abroad program may request to defer their AES award for up to two semesters by filling out an AES Award Deferral online form.

• International Education

UT Dallas students may choose to take summer courses for several reasons. In the past, AES recipients have taken summer classes because they are engaging in research on campus, participating in a local internship, isolating time-intensive courses, or staying on campus to study for professional school entrance exams.

Students meeting the AES requirements at the conclusion of the spring semester may utilize their AES during the summer. It is recommended students enroll in a minimum of nine UT Dallas hours, as the summer semester counts as one semester towards overall scholarship eligibility. Students must enroll in at least three UT Dallas credit hours to be approved. Approval is required before summer classes begin, as AES funding does not automatically apply to summer balances.

Please note: Students not meeting the AES requirements at the conclusion of the spring semester can only apply their AES toward summer courses if they agree to participate in the Summer Academic Progress Initiative.