2025 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/09/2025
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
Blog
Something's always happening at TILF. Our blog is a great place to read about our TILF scholars, find links to pertinent news articles, and keep up with scholarship deadlines.
What if I didn’t take the SAT/ACT?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/01/2025
Some students didn't take college entrance exams. Can they still apply for a scholarship?
2024 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/10/2024
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
When Will 2024 Recipients Be Announced?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/31/2024
The TILF Scholarship application window closed on May 24, 2024. More than 500 eligible UIL competitors applied.
A list of scholarship winners will be posted on our website and notifications emails will go out to all applicants by July 12.
What if I didn’t take the SAT/ACT?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 03/07/2024
Some students didn't take college entrance exams. Can they still apply for a scholarship?
2023 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/07/2023
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
2022 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/15/2022
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
When Will 2022 Recipients Be Announced?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/16/2022
The TILF Scholarship application window closed on May 13, 2022. More than 600 eligible UIL competitors applied.
A list of scholarship winners will be posted on our website on July 15, 2022, and notification letters will be mailed out to all applicants the same day.
Issues with Email Notifications
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/19/2022
Our application system is currently having issues sending notification and confirmation emails. Please rest assured that we are still receiving submitted information.
What about the SAT/ACT?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/15/2022
Many students didn't take college entrance exams this year. Can they still apply for a scholarship?
2022 Elliott Graduate Scholarship
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/01/2022
We are now accepting applications for the 2022 Sam & Kathy Elliott Graduate Scholarship.
2021 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/16/2021
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
When Will 2021 Recipients Be Announced?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/10/2021
The TILF Scholarship application window closed on May 7, 2021. More than 600 eligible UIL competitors applied.
A list of scholarship winners will be posted on our website on July 16, 2021, and notification letters will be mailed out to all applicants the same day.
What about the SAT/ACT?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/05/2021
Many students didn't take college entrance exams this year. Can they still apply for a scholarship?
TILF Recognized by GuideStar with 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency
Posted by Trudy Richards on 10/13/2020
The TILF was recently recognized with a 2020 GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency! This is the highest level of recognition that a nonprofit can attain and signals that we have provided up to date and accurate financial and organizational information on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile in an increased effort for transparency.
2020 Recipient Lists Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/17/2020
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
When Will 2020 Recipients Be Announced?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/17/2020
The TILF Scholarship application window will close on May 20, 2020.
A list of scholarship winners will be posted on our website on July 17, 2020, and notification letters will be mailed out to all applicants the same day.
Impact of COVID-19
Posted by Trudy Richards on 03/18/2020
In consideration of closed schools across the state and postponed UIL contests, we know that many of our constituents may have concerns about how this pandemic might affect their ability to apply for the TILF scholarship program.
2019 Recipient Lists Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/17/2019
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our lists to find out.
When Will 2019 Recipients Be Announced?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/11/2019
The TILF Scholarship application window closed on May 10, 2019. Any applicant may make changes or updates to their application by emailing trichards@tilfoundation.org by May 31, 2019.
A list of scholarship winners will be posted on our website on July 17, 2019 and notification letters will be mailed out to all applicants the same day.
TILF Now Facilitating TSSEC Scholarship
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/01/2019
The TILF is now facilitating the Texas State Solo & Ensemble (TSSEC) Scholarship formerly given by the UIL Music Department. The requirements of the award have changed this year.
TILF Recognized by GuideStar with Gold Seal of Transparency
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/13/2018
The TILF was recently recognized with a 2018 GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency! This signals that we have provided up to date and accurate financial and organizational information on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile in an increased effort for transparency.
2018 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/13/2018
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our searchable pdf list to find out.
Newly Established Arlis Parkhurst Endowed Scholarship
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/29/2017
#GivingTuesday Drive A Success!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/29/2017
On November 28, 2017, TILF participated in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
Honor a Veteran: Patriot Scholarship Matching Opportunity
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/10/2017
What better way to honor a veteran than by donating to a scholarship fund in their honor? The Patriot Scholarship was created to provide funds for the children of veterans, with preference given to the children of veterans who were wounded in service. Thanks to a generous donor, all donations to this scholarship fund will be matched for the month of November.
2017 Recipient List Posted!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 07/14/2017
Did you or someone you know receive an award? Check our searchable pdf list to find out.
When will you find out if you received an award?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 06/20/2017
The 2017 recipient list will be posted online and all applicants will be mailed notification letters via USPS mail on July 14.
New Scholarships for 2017!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 06/20/2017
TILF is proud to announce four new scholarships for 2017. Our thanks go out to the generous donors who established these awards for allowing us to support even more deserving UIL competitors.
Notification of Scholarship Recipients
Posted by Trudy Richards on 06/06/2016
All 2016 applicants will be notified of their status by mail. Letters will be sent out July 13.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Lorri Ann Drazan
Posted by Trudy Richards on 03/03/2016
Arguably the most important aspect of any athletic event is the mascot. While the players, coaches, and the game may capture the interests of spectators, mascots are the ones who capture the hearts and spirits of all in attendance. For Lorri Ann Drazan, the chance to represent Texas State University by working as the mascot, Boko the Bobcat, was one full of opportunity and inspiration.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Logan DeBord
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/05/2015
A three-time UIL Academic State champion in high school, Logan DeBord was an unstoppable force from the beginning of his involvement in UIL during elementary school. “I was involved in the precursors to high school academic events even in elementary school—things like Music Memory, Listening Skills, and Maps, Graphs, & Charts,“ he said.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Rebecca Roberts
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/08/2015
Hailing from Gainesville, Rebecca Roberts became involved with UIL the first year she walked the halls of S&S Consolidated High School. “UIL was always a strongly encouraged extracurricular activity in my high school. S&S has a history of state qualifications in several events so our coaches were extremely experienced and proficient in the coaching process,” she said.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Morgan Wallace
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/03/2015
Growing up, Morgan Wallace was surrounded by music. “My mom is a musician. When I was young music was always a part of my family, but was never pushed on me. I saw she played piano at church and sang and I wanted to do that.”
TILF Success Stories: Meet Jeremy Binagia
Posted by Trudy Richards on 01/13/2015
Breaking the mold is not out of the ordinary for Jeremy Binagia. So when he was chosen as a research fellow for Purdue University, he didn’t settle for just white coats and goggles. Alongside a team of researchers, he and his colleagues ran a series of simulations that depict how bacteria communicate as part of an 11-week program sponsored by Purdue.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Lindsey Parker
Posted by Trudy Richards on 12/08/2014
Walking into her internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational accounting firm, Lindsey Parker was more than prepared. With years of competition in UIL Computer Applications under her belt, she was able to bring her expertise to the new Tax, Technology, and Compliance practice of the firm.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Gabriel Perez
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/07/2014
Before joining La Feria High School’s UIL math and science team, Gabriel Perez hated school.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Kathryn English
Posted by Trudy Richards on 10/20/2014
Whenever asked, Kathryn English always tells people that her hometown of Denver City, Texas is “incredibly classic, and in the middle of nowhere.” When she discovered UIL speech contests, her world grew just a little larger.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Evan Ott
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/07/2014
Designing a college course and writing your own textbook are not easy ideas to execute. TILF Scholar Evan Ott says he wouldn’t have had the audacity to even think of doing either without having been involved in UIL in high school.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Samantha Preisser
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/02/2014
Samantha Preisser knew about UIL sports and music competitions, but didn’t find out about UIL math and science contests until her AP Biology class senior year.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Jay Nunley
Posted by Trudy Richards on 03/04/2014
TILF Scholar Jay Nunley has a chance to achieve what most college students only dream about: graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Michael Donaldson
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/05/2014
Sitting nervously in a second round of internship interviews, Michael Donaldson, freshman, attempted to describe his philosophy about the University Interscholastic League.
“UIL is a bridge to success for students,” he said, “And the people who lead them are the lights, but there are pillars—that’s what holds up the bridge—and those are the people you don’t know about. Those are the interns.”
And now Michael is one of them, a strong support for the organization’s success.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Jordan Ivie
Posted by Trudy Richards on 01/08/2014
TILF Scholar Jordan Ivie doesn’t exactly remember her first UIL experience. It’s simply been too long since she started participating in elementary school. What’s become unforgettable is the first regional competition of her high school career.
“As a freshman, I thought I had no chance of making it to state, especially since I had not done very well at district,” Jordan said. “I was not even going to stay for the results posting.”
As she was leaving the meet, Jordan was stopped by a friend’s frenzied footsteps and shouts in her direction.
“All I could hear was “first, first!,” and it took me a long time to understand that I had won first and was going to state! As a freshman!,” she said. “I didn’t expect it at all and it really helped shape the identity of who I was in high school. I was the ‘Girl Who Wrote’ and it was largely because of that.”
TILF Success Stories: Meet Chelsea Bryant
Posted by Trudy Richards on 12/03/2013
While other kids might be mortified at the idea of public speaking, TILF Scholar Chelsea Bryant was never embarrassed to stand up and speak.
Growing up, she had the makings of a good orator - outgoing, passionate, understanding - and Chelsea pursued that potential in junior high by participating in UIL.
“Now that I’m in college, I can say joining my school’s UIL program was the best decision I ever made because of every lesson it taught me,” she said. “Some of them were trivial (like learning how to make a meal out of convenience store food coming back from a tournament at 2 am), but most of them are ones I carry with me everyday.”
TILF Success Stories: Meet Kasi Dickerson
Posted by Trudy Richards on 11/05/2013
TILF Scholar Kasi Dickerson was bitten by the journalism bug early in life.
Jeanette Germany, a journalism teacher and Kasi’s mother, said she used to call the dark room the “magic room.”
“She loved watching the images appear on the photo paper,” Germany said. “Without even knowing it, I think [that’s where] her passion for photography began.”
Making Your LinkedIn Profile Work for You
Posted by Trudy Richards on 10/18/2013
Many people say that when looking for a job, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. LinkedIn, with over 225 million users as of June 2013, is a great place to use social media for professional networking. With so many prospective employers viewing LinkedIn profiles when making decisions about who to interview and hire, it’s important that you have a strong, active profile. And with LinkedIn’s recent release of an educational networking system, building a good profile is important not only to job seekers, but also to those who are looking at colleges.
Here are five good tips to make your LinkedIn profile great:
TILF Success Stories: Meet Sai Gourisankar
Posted by Trudy Richards on 10/04/2013
As a college freshman, TILF Scholar Sai Gourisankar leapt into research that could revolutionize the way we see cells. How did he get started?
“I just emailed the professor,” he said, referring to Professor Keith P. Johnston, in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. “I thought his research was cool.”
How to Create an Effective Scholarship Resume
Posted by Trudy Richards on 09/17/2013
Like many scholarship organizations, TILF asks students to submit a resume of their experience. Since you may not have much in the way of job experience as a high school senior, there are many other topics you can cover. Here are five suggestions:
TILF Success Stories: Meet Kevin Matula
Posted by Trudy Richards on 09/03/2013
It’s 2013, and in this odd-numbered year, one of our own TILF scholars was working to begin a journey in public service at the Texas State Capitol. Kevin Matula spent the spring semester of his sophomore year as a staffer in the Texas State Legislature.
Want some unsolicited advice?
Posted by Trudy Richards on 08/06/2013
Transitioning to college life can be rough, but here are a few pieces of advice that might ease the process.
Welcome to our new TILF Scholars!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 08/01/2013
As August begins, we're happy to welcome so many new TILF Scholars to our program!
TILF Success Stories: Meet Alysha Joseph
Posted by Trudy Richards on 05/13/2013
TILF scholar Alysha Joseph dared to take on college as a junior in high school. Through the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) program, Alysha has the unique opportunity of performing research, taking coursework, and living on a college campus before other students her age.
“I love to be challenged - UIL was one avenue for me to accomplish this,” she said.
Answers to All Your Pressing Questions
Posted by Trudy Richards on 04/08/2013
Since we've begun accepting applications this year, we've had a large number of questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Neil Rabroker
Posted by Trudy Richards on 03/22/2013
TILF Scholar Neil Rabroker came to Texas A&M University his freshman year knowing and loving accounting. “I ended up making a 100 in the first financial accounting honors class and then got asked to be the TA for the class,” he said. “I am one of the first sophomores to do it, and thank the UIL accounting program completely for it.”
Neil joined the UIL accounting team as a sophomore, after taking the class offered at Rosebud-Lott High School. He placed in State as a sophomore and returned the next year looking for victory. “I ended up tying for first place with one miss on the test to win the 2A title,” he recalled. “My senior year, I again started strong by winning all seven of the invitational meets that I attended.” Winning with Neil along the way was the Rosebud-Lott High School accounting team, which won the state title in 2009. The team returned to the UIL State Meet in 2011, a “really memorable” time for Neil. Thirty minutes before his test began, Neil was stung by a bee—twice—in the neck.
UT Banquet Huge Success
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/28/2013
Each February, TILF hosts a banquet for recipients at The University of Texas, their donors, Board members, and UIL Academic staff. This year's event was a great success, with a record turnout of TILF Scholars eager to share their stories.
TILF Success Stories: Meet Jacob Troublefield
Posted by Trudy Richards on 02/20/2013
Like any “new kid,” Jacob Troublefield moved to Blanco High School his junior year looking to make new friends. UIL, he thought, would be great way to meet more people.
As an upperclassman, Jacob competed in Cross Examination Debate, Current Events, Social Studies, and One-Act Play.
Show me the money!
Posted by Trudy Richards on 01/30/2013
It's February, which means it's spring disbursal time for all current TILF Scholars. Funds will go out to colleges on February 4th. If you don't see funds in your college financial aid account by February 19th, please let me know so we can troubleshoot.
2013 Celebration of Academic Excellence Banquet
Posted by Trudy Richards on 01/30/2013
Each year, the TILF hosts a banquet at the University of Texas at Austin, where nearly 40% of our recipients are enrolled. Invitees include TILF Board members, donors, UIL staff, and all of our TILF Scholars who attend UT-Austin.