Education for Everyone

Congratulations! You have been accepted into Texas A&M University.  

For a prospective student, reading these words marks the beginning of an educational opportunity like no other. Filled with exhilarating football games, meaningful friendships, exceptional career preparation and a chance to contribute diverse ideas in the workplace, these words can start a remarkable journey that leads to a successful, impactful life.  

But for many, the dream of an education at Texas A&M does not come true with an acceptance letter. Despite having incredible potential to become influential leaders, many students from disadvantaged backgrounds cannot confirm their acceptance due to financial challenges.  

Since 1999, the Foundation Excellence Award (FEA) program has helped remove these financial barriers and given thousands of students from historically underserved groups the opportunity to achieve higher education at Texas A&M. Through this program, companies and foundations can partner with the university to provide outstanding students a chance to achieve their educational dreams and meet the growing need to recruit underrepresented voices in corporations.  

Pledges, Partners and Promises 

The FEA program supports outstanding students from underserved groups who are U.S. residents and who gain admittance to Texas A&M. This includes minorities as well as students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. As the population of Texas continues to change, the FEA program strives to make Aggieland a place for all to achieve success. Recipients receive a stipend from $2,000 to $2,500 and can be awarded for one year up to four based on academic qualifications, extracurricular activities and financial need. 

Similarly motivated by the matching program, extraordinary donors like Ray Rothrock ’77 and Jon Hagler ’58 have created FEAs for dozens of students and are taking part in the valuable mission to expand access to education and diversify the workforce. Their generosity has furthered educational opportunities for students and will allow them to contribute their important perspectives to Texas A&M and their future employers. 

To create a perpetual impact, individuals and corporations can endow an FEA through a $50,000 gift that will support Aggies for generations. While endowed gifts are payable over five years, if you pay your gift in full within one year, the university will match the earnings of your endowment during its first four years to generate a larger annual stipend for your student recipient during that initial period. If you fund your endowment over several years, matching funds from the university will not be applied to the eventual earnings. 

With the creation of an FEA, a deserving student is given an invaluable gift: the ability to accept the invitation to achieve their dream of an education at Texas A&M. Each additional scholarship allows a unique journey to unfold as a student receives the means to make a difference and lead a life grounded in the Aggie experience that was made possible by the kindness of others.