AES for Prospective Freshmen
UT Dallas offers Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES) each year to incoming first-time-in-college freshmen admitted for the fall term immediately following high school graduation. Students who complete the application process by the December 1 AES deadline are automatically considered for an award.
The Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) Committee has concluded awarding the 2024 freshmen class.
Requirements
While a separate scholarship application is not required, students are encouraged to include supplemental materials such as an essay, resume and up to three letters of recommendation. Students are awarded AES based on academic accomplishments, community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, work experiences and/or national recognition or achievement.
Award Timing
The deadline for scholarship consideration for the AES award is December 1. All completed UT Dallas applications are considered for this scholarship.
Funds available for each year’s new scholarship awards are limited, and students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA and explore other scholarship opportunities offered by the University.
The Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) Committee has concluded awarding of the 2023 freshman class.
Eligibility
To be eligible for AES review, an applicant must:
- Submit a complete application file by the December 1 deadline, including:
- Application through Apply Texas or the Common Application.
- Official high school transcripts.
- SAT/ACT test scores or answer ‘Yes’ to the statement, ‘I request my application to be reviewed without SAT/ACT scores’ when completing the admission application on ApplyTexas or CommonApp.
- Any selected supplemental materials for those indicating they are applying without SAT or ACT scores through ApplyTexas or CommonApp.
- Be admitted to UT Dallas as a first-time freshman applicant for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
Review Criteria
The quantity and quality of freshman applicants influence the AES awarding process. The award process is competitive, and previous years should not set expectations for scholarship awards. No specific achievement in any category of the AES award factors guarantees a scholarship or specific award level.
Applicants are reviewed individually and holistically for AES. Consideration is given to the following factors:
- Overall grades in academic coursework and trends in achievement
- Strength of high school curriculum, including the level of rigor (AP, IB, dual credit)
- High school rank and GPA
- SAT I or ACT test scores, if available
- Information provided in the résumé, optional essay and/or optional letters of recommendation
- Applicants may submit one essay on any topic from the Apply Texas or Common Application
- Letters of recommendation are suggested but not required and limited to a maximum of three.
Accepting the AES Award
Complete your AES acceptance by June 1. There will be no exceptions to the June 1 deadline.
Steps to accepting an AES award
- Review the complete list of steps after admission as soon as receiving an offer of admission as a freshman student.
- Set up your NetID and Password using your UTD ID (ten-digit number at the bottom of your admit letter) and birthdate.
- Accept your offer of admission.
- Complete your AES acceptance.
- Apply for housing if you wish to live on campus.
- Apply for financial aid.
- Register for freshman orientation.
- Consider participating in Comet Camp.
AES FAQ for Prospective Freshmen
Do I need to complete a separate application to be reviewed for an AES?
No. The Common Application or ApplyTexas Freshman Admission application and supplemental application materials serve as the application for the AES award.
What SAT/ACT test scores or other qualifications guarantee an AES award?
No specific achievement in any category of the AES award factors, including standardized testing, guarantees a scholarship.
Should I include letters of recommendation, an essay and a resume when applying to UT Dallas to be considered for an AES?
Yes, as the AES awarding process is a holistic review, we encourage students to submit letters of recommendation (maximum of 3), a resume, and/or an essay with their application.
I am applying for admission to a spring term. Will I be automatically reviewed for an AES?
No, we only review first-time-in-college freshman applicants who are admitted for fall terms immediately following their high school graduation.
If I am an out-of-state or international student, will an AES award qualify me for resident tuition rates?
Students receiving any level of AES award qualify for in-state tuition and fee charges, regardless of their resident status.
I have a third-party scholarship; will this impact my AES offer?
Any third-party, non-tuition-specific scholarships in your name submitted to the Office of Financial Aid will be reimbursed once any UT Dallas charges not covered by the AES award are deducted. Third-party scholarships that are tuition specific can only be applied toward tuition and fees and will be applied instead of your AES tuition funds. Since third-party scholarships can vary significantly and possibly conflict with the AES offer, students are encouraged to address questions regarding third-party scholarships to FAScholarships@utdallas.edu.
My family has the Texas Tomorrow Fund (or another pre-paid college savings plan). How will this affect my AES?
Texas Tomorrow Fund and most pre-paid college savings plans can be applied along with AES towards the cost of attendance. A refund will be issued at the lower rate of the pre-paid tuition plan. For more information about pre-paid college savings plans, please contact the Bursar’s Office.
Questions?
You can reach the Academic Excellence Scholarship team at aes@utdallas.edu or 972-883-4300.