Terry Freshman Scholarship Application 2026

The Terry Foundation Scholarship at UH application closes on December 5, 2025 at noon (12 p.m. CST).

For an application to be complete, applicants must:

1) Apply and be accepted to the University of Houston no later than December 5, 2025.

2) Submit a completed application by noon (12 p.m. CST) on December 5, 2025, which includes:
  • Complete the online application

  • Submit required essays and resume via the online application
    o For BOTH of the topics below, submit a typed essay of 250 words (minimum). Your full name and UH ID must appear at the top of each page of your essays. The essay prompt must appear at the top of the first page of each essay.
   o Essay 1: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experience throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?
   o Essay 2: In approximately 500 words, describe an example of your leadership. Be sure to describe your actions and the actions of those around you and to explain what you accomplished.

  • One letter of recommendation, on official stationery, addressing your academic and leadership abilities. Letters will be submitted electronically by your letter writer. You will provide the name and email address of your recommendation letter writer. Once you submit your application, the letter write you have listed will be emailed and requested to upload your letter through an online form.
    o Important: All letters of recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline (December 5, 2025). Letters not submitted via the online form will NOT be accepted. Please make sure your letter writer has your UH ID and email address, as they will need them when submitting your letter. You will receive a confirmation email once a letter is submitted on your behalf. If you have not received a confirmation email, it is your responsibility to confirm with your recommender that your letter of recommendation has been submitted.
    o Please note: You are still expected to ask your potential letter writer if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf before submitting this form. Please plan to submit your application in a manner that would allow appropriate time for your recommender to submit your letter.

  • A sealed, official high school transcript mailed to the address below. Mailed transcript must be postmarked by December 5, 2025.
    o Unofficial college transcript(s), if applicable. If you have more than 12 hours of college credits from a dual credit program, community college or university (excluding AP/IB credits), you must also submit your unofficial college transcript. You can submit this transcript via the online application.

3) Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 31, 2026.

4) (Strongly Recommended) Apply for on-campus housing. Freshman Terry Scholars are required to live on campus. On-campus housing for Terry Scholars is located in Honors housing in Cougar Village I.

Question? Contact us via email at terry@uh.edu or call 713.743.9010. Please DO NOT contact the Terry Foundation directly with questions regarding your application status.

Address: Terry Freshman Scholarship Competition
Honors College
M.D. Anderson Library
4333 University Drive, Rm 212
Houston, TX 77204-2001