University Partnerships and Scholarship Opportunities

EIF helps students secure scholarships through university partners and exclusive funding opportunities. University partners establish criteria for EIF students to be eligible for direct scholarships. Such partnerships also improve college retention as many universities provide college preparation activities to high school students, and support and mentoring services to college students. Partners also maintain direct contact with scholarship awardees to ensure student success.

EIF has developed partnerships with universities commonly attended by EIF students: The University of Texas at Austin, University of North Texas at Denton, University of North Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M University at Commerce have dedicated merit- and need-based scholarships to EIF students (estimated value over $12 million). EIF continually seeks new university partnerships for its students.

EIF students are eligible for exclusive scholarships including Mayor’s Chesapeake Energy Scholarship Fund, established in 2008 by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and the Dallas Foundation for EIF students. EIF also employs a scholarship coordinator to manage any awards provided through EIF and to continually identify scholarship opportunities that may be available for EIF students.

University Partners


When scholarships and loans just aren't enough, these universities are making up the difference for EIF students. We pledge to get students prepared for college. Our University Partners pledge to make it affordable. By working together, EIF and our University Partners are making it possible for students to go to top-notch schools even when they have exhausted scholarship and loan options.

Learn more about our University Partners 

Scholarship Matching

Getting into college is a major accomplishment, but it doesn't stop there. As an EIF student, one of the contract requirements is to submit a minimum of 5 scholarships during senior year. With so many students applying for a limited number of dollars, half the battle of getting a scholarship is knowing which ones to apply for. Every month, a list of scholarship applications is made available to students. They may pick up a hard copy in the EIF office or search for scholarships online.  Our HEAs make it their business to search out scholarships that match each EIF senior's academic, cultural and educational focus. 
Students Graduating