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Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to outstanding college sophomores and juniors who are pursuing advanced study in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

It awards up to $7,500 annually to cover tuition, fees, books, room, and board and is the most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarship in the US.

Read about UT’s nation-best five 2020 Goldwater Scholars!

Goldwater Scholarship Website

Goldwater Online App: Opens First Tuesday in September

UT Campus Nomination Deadline: December 18

National Deadline: Last Friday in January

Eligibility Criteria:

  • US citizen, a permanent US legal residence, or a US national
  • A full-time student in your sophomore or junior year at an accredited university

To be competitive for the Goldwater, students must demonstrate:

  • Evidence of research experience and research presentations/publications
  • Very high academic potential, such as excellent grades (typically 3.9+ GPA; minimum 3.6 for campus nomination, but note that any course grades in the B range will be closely scrutinized by the campus nomination committee)
  • Exceptional letters of recommendation from science faculty, especially those who know your research abilities
  • A commitment to pursuing a PhD and a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering

Application Process:

First, students must complete the Goldwater’s pre-application, FOUND HERE.

Next, applicants must meet with URF staff to discuss the application process. Full Goldwater applications, including recommendations, must be completed (by the UT Campus Deadline) in order to be considered for nomination to the national competition. Students may request appointments HERE.

The Goldwater application includes:

  • A series of extended short-answer questions
  • A detailed research essay
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts and a complete online application
  • Nomination by the campus Goldwater committee

Leading up to the national deadline, there is a revision period for any nominated applicants.