Darren Walker Scholars
Our student success programs and resources provide a comprehensive, data-informed approach to supporting enrollment, strengthening retention and promoting on-time graduation. These initiatives foster strong campus communities, provide additional academic support and open doors to greater opportunities for students throughout their time at the University. Together, we are transforming our campus culture and advancing student achievement.
The Darren Walker Scholars program provides a fully funded undergraduate education at UT Austin for extraordinary students with significant financial need and a history of overcoming economic, social or educational obstacles. Scholars join a close-knit cohort while establishing connections with faculty, alumni and civic leaders. The program is designed to help scholars unlock their potential and develop their talents for the betterment of all, following the example of Darren Walker. Through tutoring, peer mentoring and coaching, service learning, internships and career networking, scholars receive the support they need to thrive.
About Darren Walker
Few have influenced the lives as many people around the world as has Darren Walker, one of UT Austin's most accomplished and committed alumni. Darren's empathy, intelligence, drive, and capacity to effect social change have altered American philanthropy and conversations worldwide on social justice.
Darren was born in a charity hospital in Rayne, Louisiana to a single mother who worked as a nurse's aide. In 1965, he was selected for the inaugural preschool class of Head Start, a Great Society program aimed at reducing poverty. He attended public schools in southeast Texas and with financial support from a Pell Grant and scholarships he earned his undergraduate and law degrees at UT Austin. He has termed his experience a publicly and philanthropically funded "mobility escalator". Darren enjoyed successful careers in both law and finance and today serves as the President of the Ford Foundation, one of the world's leading philanthropies, as well as serving on the boards of directors of Pepsico, Ralph Lauren Corporation and Square. As President of the Ford Foundation, he has emerged as a leading voice on the role of philanthropy in effecting social justice. He also serves on the boards of Carnegie Hall, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2009, UT Austin recognized Darren with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Scholarship Criteria
- Be admitted to UT Austin for the upcoming academic year as a first-time freshman.
- Qualify to receive the Texas Advance Commitment (TAC) full-tuition scholarship, currently available to students with an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 per year. See a complete list of TAC eligibility requirements.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid).
- Demonstrate academic achievement defined by high school record and supplemental application materials.
- Demonstrate interest in community service and furthering your understanding of public service, leadership and ethics.
- Be a high-potential future leader based on one or more of the following factors: community involvement, student leadership, and a genuine commitment to advancing principles of access and belonging.
If you meet the above criteria, you will complete an application that includes an expanded resume and short-answer responses. Semifinalists will need to complete an interview with the scholarship selection committee. UT will choose final recipients with input from an alumni advisory board.
Our goal is to recruit eight to ten students from Texas who meet these exacting standards and who have the most potential to fulfill the University's tagline "What starts here changes the world." To accomplish this aim, UT and the program's donors seek to provide every Darren Walker Scholar with a full cost-of-attendance scholarship valued at approximately $30,000 annually.
Important Dates
- Feb 20, 2026: Counselor nomination deadline.
- March 4, 2026: Scholarship application deadline.
- Late March: Semifinalist interviews.
- Early April: Finalists announced.
Funding
The Darren Walker Program is funded by:
- Annual tuition scholarship provided by UT through the Texas Advance Commitment.
- Annual scholarship award of up to $20,000 provided by Darren Walker Scholarship endowments.
Support the Program
We invite you to join us in supporting the Darren Walker Scholars Program. Our vision is for this program is to become one of the nation's leading scholarship programs of its kind.