The State Fair of Texas Big Tex Scholarship Program Surpasses $21.4 Million Awarded to over 3,850 Texas Students Since 1992
2026 Big Tex® Scholarship Program winners (State Fair of Texas)
Today marks several significant milestones for the Big Tex® Scholarship Program as it announces new Big Tex Scholars for 2026. In its 34-year history, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has officially awarded scholarships to more than 3,850 students for a program total of more than $21.4 million. In addition, the State Fair has made a historic decision impacting the program’s new and future scholars by increasing the scholarship award from $6,000 to now $12,000. With that, the Big Tex Scholarship Program is prouder than ever to announce that the program is awarding more than $1.2 million in new college scholarships to 103 students across the Lone Star State in 2026.
Since its establishment in 1992, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has upheld the State Fair’s nonprofit mission of supporting agriculture, education, and community involvement. What began as a $20,000 annual contribution to Dallas ISD has grown into a far-reaching program impacting thousands of students across the Lone Star State. In its 34-year history, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to more than 3,850 students for a program total of more than $21.4 million. As the program has expanded over the years, so has its investment in students, raising the base scholarship amount multiple times.
The State Fair of Texas, in partnership with our Scholarship Committee and Board of Directors, is proud to announce that they have increased the base scholarship award amount for new and future Big Tex Scholars. With awards formerly at $6,000, each newly awarded student will now receive $12,000, paid out over a four-year period – the largest incremental increase in the program’s history. This enhancement reflects the continued momentum and growth of the scholarship program, strengthens its commitment to student success, and expands opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
As the first to receive the newly increased $12,000 awards – they are proud to announce that the program will be awarding Texans with more than $1.2 million in new college scholarships in 2026. This year, 103 scholarships will be given to deserving students across the Lone Star State: 50 Juanita Craft Scholarships to Dallas ISD students, 50 Youth Livestock Scholarships to students throughout Texas, two Seasonal Employee Scholarships, and one Peggy Sloan Memorial Scholarship.
“This milestone underscores our deep commitment to investing in the future of Texas students,” said Mitchell Glieber, President of the State Fair of Texas. “We are proud to continue growing the Big Tex Scholarship Program in a meaningful way, and we are especially grateful to our Scholarship Committee and the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors for their vision and leadership in making this historic increase possible. Together, we are expanding opportunities and opening doors for students across our state.”
Honoring the legacy of South Dallas resident and civil rights activist Juanita Craft, each year, the State Fair awards college scholarships to selected applicants from six Dallas ISD high schools surrounding the Fair Park area – Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation, James Madison, Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet, North Dallas, and Woodrow Wilson high schools. In addition, the State Fair awards scholarships to select applicants across the state who have participated in youth livestock competitions at the State Fair of Texas. The Seasonal Employee Scholarship serves as a thank you to the Fair’s seasonal employees for their hard work and dedication to the State Fair of Texas – both qualified seasonal employees and their dependents are eligible for this opportunity.
2026 Big Tex® Scholarship Program winner gets their photo taken (State Fair of Texas)
A total of 50 graduating seniors from six Dallas ISD high schools were awarded the Big Tex Juanita Craft Scholarship and 50 Youth Livestock Scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors from across the Lone Star State. This year's recipients will receive a $12,000 scholarship paid over eight semesters (or four years), renewable each semester if the student meets the criteria for renewal. Students must attend an accredited college, university, or trade school within the state of Texas. To qualify for scholarship renewal, recipients must enroll in and pass a minimum of 12 hours each semester. In addition, recipients must achieve a minimum 2.5 GPA in their first semester and a 3.0 cumulative GPA for every semester thereafter.
The State Fair also awards new ancillary scholarships where outstanding students are awarded an additional $6,000 over four years to combine with the initial scholarship award to put towards higher education. Awarded to a strong leader and graduating senior from Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, this year’s recipient of the Peggy Sloan Memorial Scholarship is Laura Romero, recognizing her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to her school community.
The Fair congratulates all of these deserving scholars on their personal and academic achievements and is excited to support them in pursuing their aspirations for higher education and the future of Texan youth.
About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2026 exposition runs from September 25 through October 18 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.