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Texas vs Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Texas offers a broader range of scholarships with higher maximum awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Virginia, while having slightly higher average awards, has fewer opportunities overall, appealing to those who prefer a less competitive environment.

State vs State

State A

Texas

State B

Virginia

Quick comparison

MetricTexasVirginia
Active scholarships in catalog286126
Avg. award (where known)$2,685$2,836
Max indexed award$15,000$20,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Texas presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 309 grants available, averaging $2,752.57 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $15,000, providing significant support for students. The top universities in Texas include the Alamo Colleges Foundation, Austin Community College, and Tarrant County College Foundation, each offering numerous scholarships to help students finance their education.

Virginia, on the other hand, has a total of 146 grants available, with an average award size of $2,759.30 and a maximum of $20,000. Although the average award is slightly higher than that of Texas, the overall number of scholarships is lower. Key institutions in Virginia include the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation and the UVA Alumni Association, which provide various funding opportunities for students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Texas

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Virginia

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Texas

Texas has a vibrant scholarship landscape with numerous opportunities and substantial maximum awards, making it appealing for students seeking financial aid.

Virginia

Virginia offers competitive average awards but fewer total scholarships, which may suit applicants looking for less competition.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Texas

Median household income

$76,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,088

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.83/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,620

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.73 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

254

ADI counties

246

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 254 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 246 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Virginia

Median household income

$99,592

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,079

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.49/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$55,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 18.35 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

133

ADI counties

133

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 133 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 133 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Texas?
The average scholarship amount in Texas is approximately $2,752.57.
How many scholarships are available in Virginia?
Virginia has a total of 146 scholarships available.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
Virginia has a higher maximum scholarship award of $20,000 compared to Texas's $15,000.
What are the top universities offering scholarships in Texas?
Top universities in Texas include Alamo Colleges Foundation, Austin Community College, and Tarrant County College Foundation.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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