Requirements to Apply:

If you meet all of the requirements listed below, visit our Application Process FAQ for helpful tips before you get started.

Applicant Requirements:

• Applicant must be either a:
  • Graduating high school senior from a school in Texas that is located in a county with a population of less than 60,000 people, OR 
  • Incoming or current college student at a Texas public university who previously graduated from a Texas high school that is located in county with a population of less than 60,000 people
  • To confirm if your high school falls within one of the eligible Texas counties, please refer to the following link: List of Eligible Texas Counties 2025.
• Preference is given to students from Brenham High School

Degree Requirements:

• Must pursue a four-year Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Computer Science at a public Texas university
• The following students are NOT eligible to apply for this scholarship program:
  • Students pursuing an Associate or Graduate Degree
  • Students attending a two-year college or private institution (Ex: Blinn College, Baylor University, etc.)
  • Students attending a college/university outside of Texas
• Minimum cumulative GPA to apply: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
  • Applicants with an unweighted GPA of 2.99 or below are not eligible.
  • Please review this guide for instructions on converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale. GPA must be rounded to two decimal points.

This scholarship is for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.

Renewal Students:

• Current recipients of the Roger and Barbara Powell Scholarship for Engineering who are planning to renew the scholarship for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year must complete several Renewal Tasks through this application. 
• How Do I Renew My Award?
  •  Please do not create a new application for the general scholarship. A Renewal Application will be created for you by the GHCF Scholarships Team. 
  • Keep an eye out for an email from GHCF Scholarships on February 25 with more instructions about renewing your award.

About the Scholarship Award:

This is a renewable scholarship, meaning recipients can renew the award and claim up to 4 years of funding if they meet the GPA and enrollment requirements and complete the renewal application for each academic year they plan to be enrolled.

• Award Amount
  • The scholarship is comprised of up to four (4) annual awards of $4,000 per academic year. Award is renewable for a total of up to four (4) years of funding, totaling up to $16,000 per recipient. Multiple recipients awarded each year. 
  • The full $16,000 must be received over a period of 4 years. Recipients already in college may be awarded less years of funding, depending on their anticipated graduation (Example: rising college seniors will receive one year of funding).
    
    
• What can this scholarship be used for?
  • The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
  • Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.
    
    
• Are there any requirements I must meet if I am selected as a scholarship recipient?
  • Recipients must attend a public institution in the state of Texas to remain eligible for funding each year.
  • Recipients must pursue a four-year Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
  • Recipients must enroll in at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters (or be enrolled full-time according to your school if it is on a different system).
  • Recipients must submit college enrollment information online through GHCF Scholar the summer before the academic year begins. This information is required in order for the scholarship check to be mailed to the student's college. Instructions will be included in the student's award letter.
  • Recipients must meet certain criteria in order to receive subsequent annual awards (i.e., renewals): maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, and complete the renewal application for each academic year they planned to be enrolled.

What Is Needed for This Application?

• Eligibility questions based on the criteria listed above
• Two (2) essay responses 
• One (1) recommendation form (completed by your reference through the application site)
• Transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
• Education information
• Resume (involvement in activities, community service, and employment)

Language Considerations:

• This application is offered in both English and Spanish.
• To view your application in Spanish, click the "EN" dropdown button in the top right corner of the screen and select "Español".
• You may toggle between English and Spanish while filling out your application.