Think your college degree gives your child a leg up in the admissions process? Not necessarily. At Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas Tech, and other public universities across the state, your educational background might actually work against your student, especially when it comes to scholarship opportunities.
Many schools now offer dedicated scholarships and financial aid for students who are the first in their families to attend college. A “first gen student” typically means neither parent has earned a four-year college degree. That means if you graduated from any college, your child no longer qualifies for those funds. Even if you’re an alum of the university they’re applying to, they may be excluded from significant aid simply because of your degree.
This matters for families in places like Shreveport, where many students grow up hearing that a high ACT score and a parent who’s an alum will help them earn scholarships. But across the state line in Texas, those assumptions don’t always hold up. Louisiana students applying to Texas schools often find themselves surprised by how little aid is offered. A 34 on the ACT? That’s great, but it actually might not unlock much money. Out-of-state students, even high-achieving ones, no longer see the big scholarship offers they once did.
Don’t rely on assumptions or old advice. Ask specific questions during the admissions and financial aid process. Explore private scholarships, departmental awards, and opportunities that aren’t limited by your educational history. The rules have changed, and knowing how they work can make all the difference for your student.
