Dreaming of studying in the United States but worried about the cost? The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas has a comprehensive financial support system for international students — including dedicated scholarships, tuition waivers, and competitive awards that can significantly reduce your cost of studying in the USA.
This guide covers everything international students need to know about UNT scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities for 2026 — including some scholarships designed specifically for students from Pakistan, Turkey, and other countries.
🎓 Scholarship Overview
The University of North Texas is a large public research university located in Denton, Texas, just 40 miles north of Dallas. With over 44,000 students and a highly diverse international community, UNT is one of the most internationally welcoming universities in the United States.
UNT awards over $450 million in scholarships and financial aid annually, and approximately 70% of UNT students receive some form of scholarship or financial aid. International students are eligible to apply for a wide range of competitive scholarships through UNT’s dedicated Eagle Scholarship Portal (ESP), managed by the International Affairs office.
A particularly important benefit for international students: any international student who receives a competitive UNT scholarship of $1,000 or more becomes eligible to pay in-state Texas resident tuition — saving thousands of dollars per year on tuition fees.
🎓 Benefits & Funding
UNT offers several distinct scholarship programmes for international and global-minded students. Here is a breakdown of all currently available awards:
🎓 1. Global Citizen Scholarship
Who it is for: Students with a demonstrated commitment to global citizenship — through international experiences, coursework, or campus involvement in global activities.
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting programme at UNT
- Undergraduate and second Bachelor’s applicants: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Graduate applicants: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Must demonstrate proven commitment to personal development as a global citizen through international coursework, experiences, or on-campus activities
How to apply: Through the Eagle Scholarship Portal (open October to March each academic year)
🎓 2. International Education Scholarship
Who it is for: International students enrolled at UNT who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
How to apply: Through the Eagle Scholarship Portal
This scholarship specifically supports international students and is one of the most directly relevant awards for students coming to UNT from abroad. Check the Eagle Scholarship Portal for specific award values and eligibility details each cycle.
🎓 3. Jinnah Memorial Scholarship
Who it is for: This scholarship is named in honour of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and is designed to support students with a connection to Pakistan or Pakistani heritage studying at UNT.
How to apply: Through the Eagle Scholarship Portal
This is a particularly exciting scholarship for Pakistani students at UNT — one of the very few scholarships at a US university specifically recognising Pakistani academic talent and heritage.
🎓 4. North Star Scholarship
Who it is for: Undergraduate and graduate students at UNT who have actively engaged with the Republic of Türkiye through academic study, research, fieldwork, organised study abroad, work experience, military experience, extended travel, living experience, or volunteer work in Turkey.
Eligibility:
- Must meet full-time enrolment requirements
- Must be enrolled in a degree-granting programme
- Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Applications are accepted during the 2025–26 academic cycle
- Awarded every other year, subject to available funding
How to apply: Through the Eagle Scholarship Portal
🎓 5. Mexican Waiver Programme
Who it is for: Students who are citizens of Mexico and are enrolled at UNT.
This programme provides eligible Mexican nationals with a waiver allowing them to pay in-state Texas resident tuition rates rather than international tuition rates — a significant financial saving for Mexican students studying at UNT.
🎓 6. Good Neighbor Program
Who it is for: Citizens of Mexico or Canada who are enrolled as students at UNT.
Similar to the Mexican Waiver, the Good Neighbor Program provides tuition benefits to qualifying students from neighbouring countries under a special bilateral arrangement. Check the UNT Financial Aid website for specific eligibility details and award values.
🎓 7. Competitive UNT Scholarships (Eagle Scholarship Portal)
Beyond the dedicated international scholarships above, international students at UNT can apply for hundreds of additional competitive scholarships through the Eagle Scholarship Portal. These are open to both Texas residents and non-residents — and any non-resident (including international students) who wins a competitive UNT scholarship of $1,000 or more automatically qualifies for in-state tuition rates for the full academic year.
The Eagle Scholarship Portal is typically open from October through March each year for the following academic year’s funding.
🎓 Tuition Waiver for Scholarship Recipients
This is one of the most important and unique features of UNT’s scholarship system for international students:
Any international (non-Texas-resident) student who receives a UNT competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 for the academic year is eligible to pay in-state Texas resident tuition for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms of that awarded year.
For example, if you receive a $1,000 scholarship, $500 is awarded in Fall and $500 in Spring — and the tuition waiver applies across all three terms. This can save international students thousands of dollars beyond the scholarship amount itself, making it one of the most financially impactful scholarship systems at any US university.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
General eligibility requirements across most UNT scholarships for international students:
- Must be admitted to or currently enrolled at the University of North Texas
- Must be enrolled in a degree-granting programme (not non-degree seeking)
- Must meet full-time enrolment requirements unless specifically exempted
- Must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- GPA requirements vary by scholarship — typically 3.0 for undergraduates and 3.5 for graduates
- English language proficiency is required for admission to UNT. International students must demonstrate:
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 79 (undergraduate) / 79–80 (graduate)
- IELTS: Minimum 6.0 (undergraduate) / 6.5 (graduate)
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum 105 (undergraduate)
- Or completion of UNT’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI)
🎓 Who Should Apply
These scholarships are ideal for:
- International students already admitted to or currently enrolled at UNT
- Students from Pakistan interested in the Jinnah Memorial Scholarship
- Students with Turkey connections eligible for the North Star Scholarship
- Students from Mexico or Canada eligible for tuition waivers
- High-achieving international students with a GPA of 3.0+ looking to reduce their tuition costs significantly
- Graduate students seeking merit-based financial support during their studies in the USA
Who should NOT apply:
- Students not yet admitted to UNT — admission must come first before scholarship eligibility
- Non-degree seeking students or exchange students on J-1 visas (most scholarships require degree enrolment)
- Students not meeting minimum GPA requirements
🎓 Available Programmes at UNT
International students can apply to the full range of UNT degree programmes across three campuses:
- Denton Campus — the main campus with the full range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes
- Frisco Campus — focused on upper-division and graduate programmes in a modern setting
- Online — a growing portfolio of fully online degree programmes
UNT offers programmes across all major subject areas including:
- Arts & Design
- Business & Industry
- Communications & Media
- Data Analytics & Information Technology
- Education
- Health & Wellness
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Music & Performing Arts
- Public Service
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths)
🎓 Required Documents
For most UNT scholarship applications through the Eagle Scholarship Portal, you will need:
- Active UNT EUID and password (issued after admission)
- Completed online scholarship application via the Eagle Scholarship Portal
- Personal statement or essay — requirements vary by scholarship
- Evidence of GPA and academic standing
- Proof of international experience or engagement (for Global Citizen and North Star scholarships)
- Official academic transcripts
- Documentation of any relevant extracurricular activities or community involvement
🎓 Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for UNT scholarships as an international student:
- Apply for admission to UNT as an international student through the official admissions portal
- Receive your UNT EUID and password — this is required before accessing the Eagle Scholarship Portal
- Log into the Eagle Scholarship Portal at unt.academicworks.com
- Browse available scholarships and check eligibility criteria for each
- Complete and submit your applications — the portal is typically open October through March
- Monitor your EagleConnect email for notifications about scholarship decisions
- Accept your award through the myUNT portal once notified
🎓 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Eagle Scholarship Portal Opens | October each year |
| Priority Financial Aid Deadline | January 15 |
| Eagle Scholarship Portal Closes | March each year |
| Financial Aid Awards Notified | Spring (April onwards) |
| Fall 2026 Semester Begins | August/September 2026 |
🎓 Why Apply / Why Study at UNT
The University of North Texas is a major public research university with a strong record in supporting international students. Here is why it stands out:
- Over $450 million in scholarships and financial aid awarded every year — one of the most financially supportive universities in Texas
- 70% of students receive some form of financial aid — showing genuine institutional commitment to affordability
- Located in Denton, Texas — a vibrant, creative city with a lower cost of living than Dallas or Houston while being just 40 miles from a major international airport
- Highly diverse campus — students from over 100 countries creating a truly global learning environment
- Strong programmes in music, business, education, engineering, and data science — recognised nationally
- The tuition waiver for competitive scholarship recipients is a unique and powerful benefit not found at most US universities
- Part of the University of North Texas System — a large, well-resourced public university system with strong industry and government connections in Texas
- Fulbright advising — UNT actively supports students applying for Fulbright scholarships, with dedicated advisors and a Fulbright Student Week programme
🎓 Official Source
For full scholarship details, the Eagle Scholarship Portal, and international admissions:
👉 UNT International Admissions – Official Page
👉 UNT Scholarships, Grants & Waivers for International Students
👉 Eagle Scholarship Portal – Apply Here
👉 UNT Financial Aid & Scholarships
🎓 Scholarship Summary
| Detail | Information |
| University | University of North Texas (UNT) |
| Country | United States of America 🇺🇸 |
| Location | Denton, Texas (near Dallas) |
| Total Aid Awarded | $450 million/year |
| Students Receiving Aid | 70% of all students |
| Key Scholarships | Global Citizen, Jinnah Memorial, North Star, International Education |
| Special Benefit | In-state tuition waiver for $1,000+ scholarship recipients |
| Portal | Eagle Scholarship Portal (Oct–Mar) |
| English Required | Yes — TOEFL 79 / IELTS 6.0 minimum |
| Levels | Undergraduate & Graduate |
Explore more fully funded scholarships in the USA at https://gradualin.com/category/scholarships/
Related reads on Gradualin:
- University of Toronto Scholarships 2026 Canada
- How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Scholarship
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships UK 2026 — Complete Guide
For a complete list of all fully funded scholarships in the USA for international students, visit our guide: Fully Funded Scholarships in USA 2026
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