National Merit Scholars Program

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

100% of approved TTU undergraduate cost of attendance for four years, funded with federal, state and institutional gift aid rather than loans. Covered components include tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation and a personal allowance; the dollar budget varies. The 2027–28 package is not explicitly dated.

Deadline

Admissions page: declare Texas Tech as college of choice by April 1. The scholarships office page still shows a May 31, 2022 date.

How to apply

Be a National Merit Finalist and designate Texas Tech as first choice with NMSC.

What you'll need

• No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission

Who can apply

National Merit Finalists naming Texas Tech first choice, including nonresidents who qualify for in-state tuition. NMSC citizenship requirements apply to entrants attending high school outside the U.S.; individual award rules still apply.

Good to know

Renewal: 3.5 GPA and 30 credits per academic year. Four years may include graduate or law study; study abroad coverage is described for fall/spring. A September 2026 scholarship-office page corroborates April 1 first-choice designation and full cost components. The dedicated scholarship-office page still gives May 31 and denies guaranteed Honors admission, while admissions guarantees Honors after applying. The Honors College's current application page describes competitive holistic review. Confirm the 2027 cutoff and Honors exception.