FAQs

Must a student participate in the UIL Academic State Meet to qualify?

Yes, only partipation in UIL academic contests qualifies you for a scholarship. Participation in athletic competition or any pilot contest at the state level DOES NOT make you eligible.

Does going to UIL Academic State guarantee a scholarship?

No, you are not guaranteed a scholarship simply for advancing to state. With so many academic contests, thousands of students go to state each year, and TILF typcially awards around 300 new awards annually.

Does winning first place at State improve chances?

Not necessarily. It depends on the scholarship and the overall qualifications of the applicants. There are far more first places possible than scholarships to award.

Does going to State more than once help?

It depends on the scholarship and the number of students who qualify for that particular scholarship.

Are applicants from the same school compared with each other?

Not specifically, but they are compared with all students who apply for the same scholarship during the same application year.

What are the highest priorities?

Some scholarships have overriding selection criteria like a specific major, college, or region of the state. Generally, TILF is looking for students who show a record of consistent achievement in school and interscholastic competition. Evidence of leadership and participation in school and community activities is desirable. Need is a consideration for most scholarships.

Is it possible that an applicant might meet all of the required and desired elements and still not be selected for a scholarship?

Yes. The competition for the more lucrative scholarships is intense. The very best students from across the state are all competing for a limited number of scholarships.

Is it necessary to have an ACT or SAT score and to have applied and been accepted to a college or university prior to the application deadline?

We do request that students submit their SAT/ACT scores on their applications to our program as these scores are considered as comparative measures by our selection committee and may be used to judge aptitude for certain awards. However, if a student has not taken one of these tests but still plans to attend college, they can put 0 in the field for each test and submit a letter of explanation in lieu of test scores on the last page of the application.

We also expect that the majority of students will have already gained acceptance to a college or university prior to the application deadline. Because some of our awards are school-specific, this information is important to the selection process. If your plans change after you apply, please contact us immediately at trichards@tilfoundation.org with any updates to the college you indicated on your application.

My school doesn't put my SAT/ACT scores on my transcript. What do I do?

Simply upload a copy of the score report you received from The College Board or ACT.

Do the larger schools get all the scholarships?

No. For the past several years statistics show that the numbers are fairly equal. Conference 1A through 6A schools garner similar numbers of scholarships.

Must a student go to a large college or university in order to get a scholarship?

No. During the 2023-24 school year, students at 60 colleges and universities in Texas will receive funding amounting to more than $1.1 million. Unless a scholarship specifies a particular type of school, students may attend community colleges, junior colleges, or nearly any other accredited institution.

Do I have to attend a college in Texas to apply?

No, you merely have to be accepted to a college in Texas to apply. However, since funding is dibursed to colleges directly, you must attend a college in Texas to receive a scholarship.

Why aren't TILF scholarships given to students who attend schools outside Texas?

The founders of TILF had two primary goals: to provide financial support for students who excel in interscholastic academic competition and to increase the numbers of those qualified individuals attending college within the state of Texas. Requiring attendance at a Texas college or university allows us to fulfill both of those goals.

How do I submit the required supporting materials?

Uploading all of these materials to our online application system is preferred. If you are unable to do so, we will accept emailed materials or mailed materials postmarked by May 24, 2024 at: TILF, PO Box 151027, Austin, TX 78715-1027

Should I wait to submit my application until after the State Meet?

We recommend that you apply early so that the application deadline doesn't get missed in the craziness that is the end of your senior year. Then email us your placement updates after you compete at the state meet.

However, waiting until the last minute to submit doesn't lessen your chances of getting a scholarship, as the committee doesn't evaluate applications until after the deadline. TILF awards are not first come, first served.

If I didn't place at state, what do I put on my application?

If you didn't place at state, you can leave the placement field blank.

What happened to the TSSEC Outstanding Soloist Scholarship?

The award formerly known as the TSSEC Outstanding Soloist Scholarship is no longer being given. Our foundation is now facilitating what is called the TSSEC Scholarship.

To be eligible to apply for the new TSSEC Scholarship, a student must have advanced to the state level in an UIL academic contest AND have received a division rating of I in a solo performance at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest. Preference is given to applicants majoring in music with plans to enter the teaching profession.

In Addition

Financial need plays a role in the selections especially when everything else is comparable. The donors desire is to enable as many academically talented Texas students as possible to pursue a higher education. Donors look upon their contributions as an investment in the future.

Of the students receiving scholarships in 2023, 49% had an SAT score of 1260 or higher and 36% scored a 26 or higher on the ACT. A full 20% of the recipients were valedictorians, and 53% ranked in the top five of their graduating classes. A vast majority of the applicants were in the top 10% of their graduating classes. TILF is proud to support the cream of the crop in Texas scholarship applicants.

This does not mean students ranking within the top 25% of their classes and with lower college entrance test scores do not get scholarships. They do, but their chances may be lessened by the high credentials of students in the applicant pool.

If you submit your application prior to receiving your competition results, you are responsible for contacting the TILF office to update your application after the contest.

Remember this rule of thumb! If you do not apply, you will not get a scholarship. We estimate the odds of receiving a TILF scholarship in 2024 at approximately 50%.

We wish the students all the best during the application process!