Scholarships for High School Seniors

2026 High School Graduate Scholarship Cycle Now Open

The Laredo Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that the 2026 Scholarship Application for graduating high school seniors is now open.


Application Opens: March 1st, 2026
Application Deadline: April 15th, 2026

Graduating seniors are encouraged to review the scholarship chat below and apply to any for which they qualify.

Please note:

  • Each scholarship requires a separate application.
  • Students must complete an application for each scholarship they wish to be considered for.
  • Applications are submitted online through our scholarship portal.
  • Some scholarships may require additional documentation (FAFSA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.).
Apply Now


High School Graduate Scholarship Eligibility Guide

To help high school seniors quickly identify which scholarships they may qualify for, please view the simple eligibility guide below.

Scholarship Guide
High School
College/University
Any High School
Bruni High School
Cotulla High School
LBJ High School
Martin High School
Zapata High School
Any College or University
  • Junior Achievement Scholars
  • STEAM Scholars
  • Webb CISD Higher Education Scholarship
  • Stewart Kimball Martin Memorial Scholarship
  • Lance Corporal David Lee Espinosa Scholarship
  • Hannah Mendelson Memorial Scholarship
Laredo College
  • Stanley A. Keilson Memorial
  • Annabelle Uribe Hall & William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr.
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)
  • Annabelle Uribe Hall & William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr.
Texas Women's University
  • Mary Rose Martin Memorial
UT-Austin
  • Howard E. Ruhlman
  • Annabelle Uribe Hall & William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr.



LACF Scholarship Opportunities

Annabelle Uribe Hall and William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr. Scholarship

The Annabelle Uribe Hall and William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr. Scholarship Endowment fund was established by Annabelle Uribe Hall in September 2019. This scholarship is offered to Martin High School seniors who will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M International University, or Laredo College.

Eligibility
• Be a graduating senior from Martin High School
• Plan to attend one of the following institutions:
    - The University of Texas at Austin
    - Texas A&M International University
    - Laredo College
• Meet the federal guidelines for a financially disadvantaged student as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Have a minimum overall GPA of 80 on a 100-point scale

Award Information
• Award Amount: $1,000
• Renewability: One-time award (non-renewable)

Hannah Mendelsohn Memorial Scholarship

The Hannah Mendelsohn Scholarship honors Hannah Mendelsohn and the generosity of her husband, Ernest H. Mendelsohn. A Chicago native with only a high school education, Ernest built a successful wholesale electronics business. In the early 1970s, he and Hannah retired to Zapata, where they fell in love with South Texas and its people. After Hannah’s passing, Ernest established this scholarship in her memory, creating a lasting tribute to her life and their shared appreciation for the community.

Eligibility
• Open to graduating seniors of Zapata ISD
• Two scholarships are awarded: one to a student demonstrating exceptional proficiency in math and one to a student demonstrating exceptional proficiency in English

Award Information
• Total scholarship award of up to $16,000, distributed in $2,000 increments each semester

Renewability Requirements
• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 each semester
• Maintain full-time enrollment status

Howard E. Ruhlman Scholarship

The Howard E. Ruhlman Scholarship was established in July 2025 by Michelle Ruhlman Mullaney in memory of her father, Howard E. Ruhlman. A proud Laredoan, U.S. Air Force veteran, and University of Texas at Austin graduate, Howard built a successful career in the oil and gas industry and was known for his business acumen, commitment to community service, and devotion to family and friends. This scholarship supports high school seniors pursuing their education at the University of Texas at Austin.

Eligibility
• Open to high school seniors planning to attend University of Texas at Austin in the fall semester
• Household income must be at or above 200% of the federal poverty guideline for the year of enrollment
• Submit a 1-minute video answering the prompt: “What brings you joy?”

Award Information
• Award Amount: $1,000
• Renewability: One-time award (non-renewable)

Junior Achievement Scholars Scholarship

The Junior Achievement Scholars Endowment was established by William B. Green to honor and reward an outstanding volunteer from the Junior Achievement of Laredo organization. This scholarship supports students in pursuing higher education at any university of their choice and is renewable for up to four years.

Eligibility
• Open to students who are volunteers with Junior Achievement of Laredo

Award Information
• Renewable for up to 4 years, with a minimum award of $1,000 per year

Renewability Requirements
• Student must maintain full-time enrollment status
• Student must maintain a passing overall GPA as defined by their university or college

Lance Corporal David Lee Espinosa Scholarship

Established in 2021, the Lance Corporal David Lee Espinosa Scholarship honors a young man whose life was defined by quiet strength, unwavering dedication, and a profound sense of duty.
Born in Laredo and raised in Rio Bravo, Texas, David graduated from Lyndon B. Johnson High School in 2019 and soon fulfilled his lifelong dream of serving his country by joining the United States Marine Corps. In August 2021, at just 20 years old, Lance Corporal Espinosa was killed in action during the U.S. military’s evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, giving his life while protecting others.
This scholarship reflects David’s humility, courage, and selfless spirit by supporting students who demonstrate the same commitment to purpose, service, and community.

Eligibility
• Open to graduating seniors of Lyndon B. Johnson High School
• Must meet federal guidelines for financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Award Information
• Award Amount: $1,200

Renewability
• This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship

Mary Roese Martin Memorial Scholarship

The Mary Roese Martin Scholarship was established to honor Mary Roese Martin, a proud alumna of Texas Woman’s University. Originally from Washington County, Texas, Mary graduated in 1942 and later moved to South Texas to teach high school English in Cotulla, where she met her husband, J.W. Martin. Passionate about education and her alma mater, Mary created this scholarship to support students from Dimmit, Duval, La Salle, McMullen, and Webb in pursuing higher education at Texas Woman’s University.

Eligibility
• Open to high school seniors from La Salle, Webb, Dimmit, Duval, and McMullen
• Must have a minimum GPA of 85 on a 100 point scale
• Must be attending Texas Woman’s University in Fall 2026

Award Information
• Award Amount: $1,500

Renewability
• This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship

Stanley A. Keilson Memorial Scholarship

The Stanley A. Keilson Scholarship honors the legacy of Stanley A. Keilson—educator, theater director, and mentor who dedicated 40 years of service to Laredo College. Joining the faculty in 1952, he served as Theater Director and Chairman of the Department of Speech and Drama, inspiring generations of students through his passion for education and the arts.
Established through the Laredo Area Community Foundation, this memorial endowment supports Laredo College students pursuing studies in education and the arts, continuing Professor Keilson’s lasting impact on the community.

Eligibility
For High School Seniors
    - Must be a graduating high school senior
    - Must meet federal guidelines for financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    - Must have an acceptance letter from Laredo College and declare a major in Education or the Arts
    - Minimum overall GPA of 80 on a 100-point scale

For Current Laredo College Students
    - Must be enrolled at Laredo College
    - Must have a declared major in Education or the Arts
    - Must meet federal guidelines for financial need as determined by FAFSA
    - Must be in good academic standing
    - Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Information
• Award Amount: $690

Renewability
• One-time award (non-renewable)

STEAM Scholars Scholarship Application

The STEAM Scholars Endowment was established by William B. Green to recognize and reward an outstanding volunteer or employee of the Imaginarium of South Texas who is pursuing higher education in a STEAM discipline.
This scholarship supports students dedicated to advancing their education in science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics, while honoring their commitment to service and innovation within the Imaginarium community.

Eligibility
• Must be a volunteer or employee of Imaginarium of South Texas
• Must be pursuing a major in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Mathematics) discipline

Award Information
• Award Amount: Minimum award of $1,000 per year.
• Renewable for up to four (4) years.

Renewability Requirements
• Must maintain full-time enrollment status
• Must maintain a passing overall GPA as defined by their college or university
• Must continue majoring in a STEAM discipline

Stewart Kimball Martin Memorial Scholarship

The Stewart K. Martin Scholarship was established by his daughter, Melissa Peters, to support graduates of Cotulla High School pursuing a college education. Stewart Martin, longtime owner of the iconic Ben’s Western Wear, was deeply committed to the growth and development of Cotulla and its community.
This scholarship honors his legacy by recognizing students who demonstrate a commitment to giving back and actively serving the needs of the community he loved. Recipients are selected by the LACF Scholarship Committee.

Eligibility
• Open to graduating seniors of Cotulla High School
• Minimum overall GPA of 80 on a 100-point scale
• Strong consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate meaningful community service involvement

Award Information
• Award Amount: $3,500

Renewability
• This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship