UT Tyler Awards Scholarships to East Texas High School Students

The university is recognizing students who have excelled academically and made community contributions.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The University of Texas at Tyler is awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school students across East Texas. The initiative kicked off with a surprise visit to Grace Community School, where senior Peter Davis was awarded a $10,000 Honors College Scholarship. UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley praised the group of students being considered, noting they are not just academically gifted but also 'great people' who want to give back to the community.

Why it matters

These scholarships provide life-changing opportunities for high-achieving East Texas students, helping them access higher education and continue their academic and community-focused pursuits. The program highlights UT Tyler's commitment to supporting the region's future leaders and innovators.

The details

The University of Texas at Tyler is surprising high school seniors across East Texas with Honors College Scholarships worth thousands of dollars. The scholarships recognize students who have excelled academically as well as demonstrated a desire to make a positive impact in their communities.

  • This week marks the start of the scholarship award program.
  • UT Tyler representatives visited Grace Community School on February 10, 2026 to surprise senior Peter Davis with a $10,000 scholarship.

The players

Peter Davis

A senior at Grace Community School who was awarded a $10,000 Honors College Scholarship from UT Tyler.

Dr. Julie V. Philley

The President of the University of Texas at Tyler, who praised the group of scholarship recipients as 'not just smart students' but also 'great people' committed to giving back to the community.

University of Texas at Tyler

A public university located in Tyler, Texas that is awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to high-achieving high school students across East Texas.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of shocking. I just had no idea. I mean, I'm very grateful for what I got today.”

— Peter Davis, High School Senior (KETK)

“This is a group of not just smart students. They are all smart, they have high GPAs, they're high performing, but they're also great people, very creative and want to give back to our community and to our region. So I can't think of a better person than Peter.”

— Dr. Julie V. Philley, President, University of Texas at Tyler (KETK)

What’s next

UT Tyler representatives plan to visit 20 more high schools across East Texas in the coming weeks to award additional Honors College Scholarships to deserving students.

The takeaway

UT Tyler's scholarship program is investing in the future of East Texas by supporting high-achieving students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to community service. This initiative helps provide life-changing educational opportunities and cultivates the next generation of leaders and innovators in the region.