Public University Honors is reporting on the preponderance of Plan II and/or Business Honors students awarded the 40 Acres Scholarship. Thoughts as to why?
University of Texas has an endowment of 25.4 Billion dollars. It has the second largest endowment in the country, Harvard taking first. It is my understanding, University of Texas, as a public state school, has been known for offering limited aid or scholarships in comparison to its endowment. Universities have a not-for-profit status and are tax exempt. Some law makers are questioning the not-for-profit status, so HYPS and a few other universities became proactive and increased financial aid for need and/or scholarship for all in order to show they were “giving back” to the community. University of Texas had a huge boost in endowment in its already large endowment and now are “giving back” (to keep lawmakers off their tax-exempt backs).
You are probably correct about UT & aid to enrolled students @dragonkids but, the 40 Acres Scholarship is not a UT scholarship (from the University itself). It is paid for through the Texas Exes Association. It is up to the donors & members on the scholarship committee as to how awards are offered.
Maybe many of them were Plan II @ConcertoinD ? Who knows?
@bookmom7, here’s a link to the Public University Honors brief report about Plan II and Business Honors as the most popular majors for those who won the 40 Acres.
@ConcertoinD , thanks for the link. I’ve not seen this site before. Great read and UT Austin really shines in it as of course does Plan II.
This is far more than a scholarship…In fact, we’ve learned that the experiences, access and other premier benefits of being a 40 Acres Scholar are far more valuable than the tuition, book cost, room and board and extra stipend combined. This weekend, the finalists were treated to an unbelievable three days of behind-the-scenes tours, lectures, networking events, even a Duck Tour. Pictures on social media. It will be heartbreaking for the students who are not selected. The Texas Exes put on the best scholarship weekend we’ve experienced. Decisions at end of March. 5 days to accept or decline.
Every candidate I talked to at dinner was exceptional, the parents likewise. Our child had an amazing time and made many friends this weekend. An incredible program that I hope continues to grow. Good luck to all!
Are the results for the 40-Acres scholarship declared yet?
@shivaya It is my understanding that several kids have been notified that they are being offered the scholarship, a few were notified they have one more interview (skype/FaceTime), and some have been told they’re on the wait list.
I think the discrepancy appears so large probably because BHP and those affiliated with Plan II were the two largest groups of people represented as finalists and also because some scholarships were major specific.
@jbeansmom nope. Only scholarship he didn’t win, so off to Princeton instead.
Sadly, he really liked the 40 Acres program. After losing out, he dropped UT entirely - he was previously ready to attend - he had a great ChemE merit scholarship and Plan II acceptance.
So the whole 40 Acres thing really backfired on UT. My advice to the Texas Exs is to only invite 30 kids for the ~22 slots, rather than ~60 kids they usually do. Asking the kids to soemd 2.5 days interviewing with only a 30% chance is a bit much. The program’s yield is high enough to get by with just a few extras on a waiting list.
Cheers,
Psy