The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has announced that it is offering full-ride scholarships through the Texas Leadership Scholars program for eligible students. The initiative is open to Texas seniors, and the board will be accepting applications for the fall 2024 class.

Established by the legislature in 1965, THECB oversees and represents the state of Texas in all matters of public higher education, according to its website. The board comprises nine members appointed by the governor and one non-voting student member.

The current members of THECB are Fred Farias III, Donna Williams, Javaid Anwar, Richard Clemmer, Stacy Hock, Emma Schwartz, Ashlie Thomas, Welcome Wilson, Daniel Wong, and Cage Sawyers as per the website.

The application process for THECB's Texas Leadership Scholars Program commenced on Nov. 1, 2023 and will close on Feb. 15, 2024. The program's website states that it aims to identify top-performing students in Texas who also demonstrate financial need and have proven leadership skills and academic success.

According to the application guidelines, students must be nominated by a school staff member such as a guidance counselor, teacher or principal from their graduating high school. Following nomination, the student must complete an application form that includes information about their GPA, a leadership self-assessment section and short explanations about their community leadership roles. They must also specify which schools they are applying to and provide references.

Once a student is awarded a scholarship under this program, they must meet certain criteria to remain eligible. These include maintaining TEXAS Grant eligibility status, full-time enrollment status and a minimum GPA of 2.5 among other requirements detailed on the program's website.