Big Tex Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by State Fair of Texas
The Big Tex Scholarship Program has provided college funding to more than 3,000 students, distributing in excess of $17.4 million. Eligible recipients include: graduating high school seniors across Texas who have taken part in competitive youth livestock events at the State Fair of Texas; graduating seniors from six Dallas ISD high schools located in the Fair Park area; and seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas or their dependents. Additional details about the various scholarships and frequently asked questions follow.
Scholarship Opportunities
Juanita Craft Scholarship
Named in honor of South Dallas civil rights leader Juanita Craft, this award provides multiple $6,000 scholarships to selected graduates from the following Fair Park–area high schools: Franklin D. Roosevelt High School; Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School; James Madison High School; Lincoln High School; North Dallas High School; and Woodrow Wilson High School.
Youth Livestock Scholarship
The State Fair of Texas offers $6,000 scholarships to selected applicants who have competed in designated youth livestock or agricultural events at the State Fair. Applicants must be graduating from a Texas high school and plan to enroll in a Texas college, university, or trade school. While preference is given to students pursuing agricultural or natural-science-related majors or programs that benefit agriculture, that focus is not required.
Applicants must have competed in one or more of the following events:
- Donkey & Mule Show, Youth Class
- Horse Show: AHA, Youth Class
- Horse Show: 5D Barrel Race, Youth Class
- Horse Show: Youth RSNC Ranch Sorting
- Horse Show: 4-H 4X4 Chute
- Youth Rodeo
- Junior Llama Show
- Junior TLBT Longhorn Cattle Show
- Junior TLBT Longhorn Showmanship
- National Youth Food Challenge Contest
- Youth Food Challenge Contest
- Youth Agricultural Job Interview Contest
- Youth Agricultural Public Speaking Contest
- Youth Agricultural Science Fair
- Youth Agriculture Mechanics Premier Exhibitor Sweepstakes
- Youth Agriculture Mechanics Project Show and Tractor Restoration Contest
- Youth AgRobotics Contest
- Youth Archery Contest
- Youth Agriculture Product Identification Contest
- Youth Range and Pasture Plant Identification Contest
- Youth Wildlife Contest
- Youth Dairy Judging Contest
- Youth Livestock Judging Contest
- Youth Beef Skillathon Contest
- Youth Sheep Skillathon Contest
- Youth Swine Skillathon Contest
- Youth Breeding Beef Heifer Show
- Youth Breeding Beef Heifer Showmanship
- Youth Breeding Gilt Show
- Youth Breeding Gilt Showmanship
- Youth Breeding Goat Show
- Youth Breeding Goat Showmanship
- Youth Breeding Sheep Show
- Youth Breeding Sheep Showmanship
- Youth Breeding Rabbit Show
- Youth Dairy Cattle Show
- Youth Dairy Cattle Showmanship
- Youth Dairy Goat Show
- Youth Dairy Goat Showmanship
- Youth Market Barrow Show
- Youth Market Broiler Show
- Youth Market Goat Show
- Youth Market Lamb Show
- Youth Market Steer Show
- Youth Prospect Steer Show
- Youth Poultry Showmanship
For more information about application requirements, deadlines, and frequently asked questions, please review the additional program materials below.