The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo pledged $2 million for vocational education scholarships. Here’s how to apply.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced on Tuesday that it will be supplying $2 million in scholarship funds for vocational education in 2026. The funds are expected to cover 100 awards across Texas in an effort to provide people with the skills needed to fill job openings in the manufacturing, welding, nursing, aviation maintenance, and HVAC fields.
For those selected to receive these scholarships, around 65% of supply, tuition, and book fees will be covered. Applicants may apply if they’re pursuing an associate degree program, technical training, or technical certifications that will help meet the current workforce demands in specific vocational areas as previously mentioned.
Skilled labor positions have experienced major shortages lately, particularly in industrial trades, health care, energy, and construction. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as Lone Star State employers, want people to understand that trades are just as lucrative as careers requiring a traditional four-year college degree. Many vocational positions require less time and debt, and they offer equally competitive salaries with fewer barriers to employment.
Vocational schools accept students right out of high school, and Rodeo Houston wants to help as many Texans as possible find and pursue opportunities with greater ease.
How to apply for a Rodeo Houston scholarship
To apply for a scholarship through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, you have to meet all requirements outlined by the organization. You must:
- Be a Texas resident and a US citizen
- Be a graduating high school senior from an eligible school
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
- Plan to attend either a not-for-profit university or an accredited program in Texas
- Meet minimum score requirements for the ACT or SAT
Additionally, to qualify for the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, you must live in one of these counties:
- Anderson
- Angelina
- Aransas
- Austin
- Bastrop
- Bee
- Bell
- Bosque
- Brazos
- Burleson
- Caldwell
- Calhoun
- Cherokee
- Colorado
- Comanche
- Coryell
- DeWitt
- Falls
- Fayette
- Freestone
- Goliad
- Gonzales
- Gregg
- Grimes
- Hamilton
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Henderson
- Hill
- Houston
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Karnes
- Lampasas
- Lavaca
- Lee
- Leon
- Limestone
- Live Oak
- Madison
- Matagorda
- McLennan
- Milam
- Mills
- Nacogdoches
- Navarro
- Newton
- Nueces
- Orange
- Panola
- Polk
- Refugio
- Robertson
- Rusk
- Sabine
- San Augustine
- San Jacinto
- San Patricio
- Shelby
- Smith
- Trinity
- Tyler
- Victoria
- Walker
- Washington
- Wharton
- Williamson
Regardless of which scholarship you’re applying for, all necessary paperwork is completed online. Please click here to access the correct application. The website will walk you through what information and documents are needed to consider qualification and potential award amounts.
