Smith-Hutson Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Sam Houston State University

Introductory Statement
The Smith-Hutson Scholars represent resilience, achievement, and strong character. They act with integrity and discipline, refuse to accept excuses, and are committed to serving and strengthening their communities. Focused on purpose and values, these scholars pursue excellence, keep their commitments, and lead by example. United by these core principles, they seek to grow, serve, and lead with distinction.

About the Scholarship
Created at Sam Houston State University in 1996, the Smith-Hutson Scholarship was designed to expand access to bachelor’s degrees for students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to complete a post-secondary education.

Who May Apply
There are two applicant groups eligible for the Smith-Hutson Scholarship:

- Incoming Freshmen: High school students who graduate from a Texas high school in May or June 2026 and plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree (any major) at SHSU. This applies regardless of any college credits the student may already have earned. Freshman award recipients may receive support for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at SHSU.

- Transfer Students: Students transferring from a Texas community college into an undergraduate program at SHSU. Transfer recipients may receive support for up to two years (four semesters) of undergraduate study at SHSU. Current SHSU students are not eligible to apply as transfers.

Application Access and Deadlines
- The Smith-Hutson application will open on October 1, 2025 and will be available through the Scholarships4Kats portal. You must be admitted to Sam Houston State University to access Scholarships4Kats; applications are accessed via your MySam account. Follow the instructions provided within the application to complete your submission.
- Application deadline: 11:59 PM, Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Award Amount and How It Works
- Freshman recipients: up to $20,000 per year (completer scholarship), renewable for up to eight semesters or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first, provided renewal requirements are met.
- Transfer recipients: up to $20,000 per year (completer scholarship), renewable for up to four semesters or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first, provided renewal requirements are met.

What “Completer Scholarship” Means
The Smith-Hutson award is structured to bring the student’s total institutional scholarship funding (excluding the Pell Grant) up to the $20,000 annual maximum. Example: if a student receives a local scholarship of $5,000, Smith-Hutson would provide $15,000 to reach the $20,000 cap. Pell Grant awards are not counted toward that cap, so if a student also receives $3,000 in Pell, the combined total for the year would be $23,000.

Renewal Requirements
Scholarship renewal is automatic each year as long as recipients meet all program requirements:
- Freshmen: automatic renewal for up to eight semesters (or until degree completion).
- Transfers: automatic renewal for up to four semesters (or until degree completion).

Eligibility and Renewal Criteria
- Demonstrated academic achievement, leadership potential, and financial need are central to the program’s intended recipients.
- To retain the scholarship, scholars must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours during each academic year.
- All applicants must file the FAFSA.

Housing for Scholars
- First-year Smith-Hutson recipients participate in a Freshman Learning Community and will be housed in San Jacinto Hall.
- Transfer and non-freshman recipients may live off campus. The scholarship can cover up to $20,000 per year; after tuition and fees are paid, any remaining refund may be used toward off-campus housing costs. If rent exceeds the available refund, the scholar is responsible for covering the difference.

Questions or Next Steps
Refer to the application instructions within Scholarships4Kats for detailed steps to apply, and ensure you are admitted to SHSU before October 1, 2025 to access the portal. If you have additional questions, contact SHSU’s scholarship or admissions office for assistance.