There’s Still Time! Deadline Extended for State Fair of Texas College Scholarship Applications

Attention seniors – it’s not too late to send in your applications! Due to the recent winter weather conditions and school cancellations statewide, the State Fair of Texas is extending the deadline for college scholarship applications to Friday, March 6, 2015.

Eligible recipients for the Pete Schenkel Scholarship include graduating high school seniors from five Dallas Independent School District high schools in the Fair Park area – Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, James Madison, Lincoln, North Dallas and Woodrow Wilson High Schools. The Youth Scholarship Program also awards scholarships to graduating Texas high school seniors who have participated in competitive livestock events held at the State Fair of Texas.

Recipients receive a $5,000 grant, renewable in $1,250 annual increments if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA while working toward a college degree at a Texas university and/or community college. Get more details on how to apply at BigTex.com/scholarship. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by March 6, 2015. For additional information, please contact scholarships@bigtex.com. The State Fair Scholarship Committee meets in March to select the candidates for this year’s awards.

Thanks to the support of loyal fairgoers, the State Fair of Texas is able to maintain an active role in the community, both locally and statewide. As part of its initiative, the State Fair integrates a passion for education and community involvement into its annual scholarship program.

Established in 1992, the Youth Scholarship Program awards multiple college scholarships to selected applicants each year. The Pete Schenkel Scholarship is named after a longtime friend and supporter of the State Fair of Texas. Pete Schenkel served as chairman of the Fair’s board from 1999-2003 and was the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Linz Award, which recognized his civic service and humanitarian efforts benefiting Dallas.

A culmination of hard work and generous donations, the State Fair of Texas Youth Scholarship Program has provided more than $3.7 million in scholarships to 1,379 students since its establishment. In 2014 the State Fair was able to provide scholarships for a total of 293 students, with 66 new recipients of the Youth Livestock Scholarship, 51 new recipients of the Pete Schenkel Scholarship and 176 existing recipients currently attending a state college or university.