Scholarships Opportunities
Local Scholarships
State and National Scholarships
2026/2027 Blake Cooper Memorial Scholarship (State) Deadline: September 30, 2026
This scholarship is dedicated in loving memory of Blake Cooper, a lifelong champion of Texas public education. Blake served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent before becoming Executive Director of Friends of Texas Public Schools, where his voice and vision helped advance our mission statewide. He believed deeply in the power of public schools to change lives, and he spent his career proving it. By honoring students who share their public school story, we carry forward the work Blake gave his life to. We are grateful for his leadership and the legacy he leaves across Texas education.
Graduating seniors are invited to apply by using their voice and visual media (i.e., video) to share how their public school education has impacted them. We want to hear the story only they can tell, from their own perspective, about the great things happening in Texas public schools.
One scholarship will be awarded this year. Applicants may be college-bound, joining the workforce, continuing education through trade schools or other forms of post-secondary training, or the military.
Deadline Submission: September 30th
Notify winner: October 23rd
Award Presentation: Friends Annual Awards Dinner on November 12th in Austin, Texas
Format: Accessible link to a video posted on the platform of their choice (i.e., YouTube, Loom, Google Drive).
Those interested in applying for the scholarship must do the following:
1. Prepare a video/multimedia presentation, 2 minutes or less, regarding how your public school education has impacted your life/career choice and prepared you to meet your future goals.
*Please make sure we can hear the audio*
2. Request one letter from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, vice-principal, or superintendent related to the student’s work in school (pdf preferred).
3. Complete the application below. Include how the scholarship will be used for the student's future/help achieve my goals, including approval to use video/presentation, the link for presentation, upload the recommendation letter, and submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for the “Celebrating Texas Public Schools” Scholarship?
A: Any graduating senior from a Friends of Texas Public Schools Network school district.
Q: Are there any other stipulations?
A: Yes. A student must agree to attend the Friends of Texas Public Schools awards dinner held on November 12th in Austin to receive the recognition personally. Friends of Texas Public Schools will pay for reasonable travel accommodations.
Q: Are there restrictions on how the award can be used?
A: No. This award aims to assist the winner with starting their future after high school.
Q; What is the amount of the award?
A: The award amount for 2027 is $2,500.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship (National)
Deadline: September 30, 2026 5:00 PM Eastern
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition Deadline: October 31, 2025
Ages: High School Freshman through High School Seniors (Maximum Age 19 Years)
Sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States , the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition is open to high school students.
To enter, you must write and record a three to five-minute broadcast script on the following theme: “What a Veteran taught me about America”
Local VFW Post contact information:
Post 4692
Brazos County Post
794 N Harvey Mitchell Pkwy
Bryan TX 77807
979-823-0550
Local VFW 4692 website: https://vfw4692.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?nid=6
State and National Scholarships
2026/2027 Blake Cooper Memorial Scholarship (State) Deadline: September 30, 2026
This scholarship is dedicated in loving memory of Blake Cooper, a lifelong champion of Texas public education. Blake served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent before becoming Executive Director of Friends of Texas Public Schools, where his voice and vision helped advance our mission statewide. He believed deeply in the power of public schools to change lives, and he spent his career proving it. By honoring students who share their public school story, we carry forward the work Blake gave his life to. We are grateful for his leadership and the legacy he leaves across Texas education.
Graduating seniors are invited to apply by using their voice and visual media (i.e., video) to share how their public school education has impacted them. We want to hear the story only they can tell, from their own perspective, about the great things happening in Texas public schools.
One scholarship will be awarded this year. Applicants may be college-bound, joining the workforce, continuing education through trade schools or other forms of post-secondary training, or the military.
Deadline Submission: September 30th
Notify winner: October 23rd
Award Presentation: Friends Annual Awards Dinner on November 12th in Austin, Texas
Format: Accessible link to a video posted on the platform of their choice (i.e., YouTube, Loom, Google Drive).
Those interested in applying for the scholarship must do the following:
1. Prepare a video/multimedia presentation, 2 minutes or less, regarding how your public school education has impacted your life/career choice and prepared you to meet your future goals.
*Please make sure we can hear the audio*
2. Request one letter from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, vice-principal, or superintendent related to the student’s work in school (pdf preferred).
3. Complete the application below. Include how the scholarship will be used for the student's future/help achieve my goals, including approval to use video/presentation, the link for presentation, upload the recommendation letter, and submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for the “Celebrating Texas Public Schools” Scholarship?
A: Any graduating senior from a Friends of Texas Public Schools Network school district.
Q: Are there any other stipulations?
A: Yes. A student must agree to attend the Friends of Texas Public Schools awards dinner held on November 12th in Austin to receive the recognition personally. Friends of Texas Public Schools will pay for reasonable travel accommodations.
Q: Are there restrictions on how the award can be used?
A: No. This award aims to assist the winner with starting their future after high school.
Q; What is the amount of the award?
A: The award amount for 2027 is $2,500.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship (National)
Deadline: September 30, 2026 5:00 PM Eastern
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition Deadline: October 31, 2025
Ages: High School Freshman through High School Seniors (Maximum Age 19 Years)
Sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States , the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition is open to high school students.
To enter, you must write and record a three to five-minute broadcast script on the following theme: “What a Veteran taught me about America”
Local VFW Post contact information:
Post 4692
Brazos County Post
794 N Harvey Mitchell Pkwy
Bryan TX 77807
979-823-0550
Local VFW 4692 website: https://vfw4692.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?nid=6
