Lamar University launches Early Admit Program for high school juniors

Lamar University has launched a new Early Admit Program aimed at high school juniors, offering early college admission and guaranteed scholarships to qualifying students. The pilot program has already made a major impact, with more than $20 million in scholarship offers extended to students across Southeast Texas.

In total, 10 area high schools submitted 873 transcripts for review. Of those, 791 students met the eligibility requirements and will receive scholarship offers totaling $20,832,000. In addition, 150 students are being notified that they are eligible to apply for Lamar University's Presidential Scholarship, a prestigious full-ride award, when applications open this fall.

"This program is truly unique, as it offers admission to students in the spring of their junior year, rather than waiting until the fall of their senior year," Hanna Terro, director of admissions said. "Along with the admission offer, we are also awarding scholarships ranging from $8,000 to $40,000 over four years, depending on a student's academic profile."

The Early Admit Program falls under the umbrella of direct admissions initiatives, where students are offered admission before they even apply if they meet specific criteria. What sets Lamar University's program apart is the earlier timeline and the inclusion of an upfront scholarship offer. Students are identified and submitted for consideration by their high schools, based on guidelines provided by the university.

To qualify, students must be juniors who rank in the top 50% of their class and have a normalized weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher. Accepted students are guaranteed at least the University Scholars Scholarship, valued at $8,000 over four years. Top-tier students may be awarded up to $40,000 through the Cardinal Elite Scholars program.

"We designed the program to be non-binding, so students can still consider other institutions and post-graduation pathways," Terro said. "But we wanted to give them the opportunity to start planning earlier and to recognize the value of their academic accomplishments."

Participating high schools submitted a wide range of candidates, from as few as 11 students to more than 200. While not all students were selected, Terro emphasized that those not chosen remain eligible for traditional admission and scholarships through Lamar University's standard application process, which opens Aug. 1, 2025, for the Fall 2026 term.

Scholarship amounts are also not set in stone. "The offer is a minimum guarantee and can increase with qualifying SAT/ACT scores or improved grades in future terms," Terro added.

Although feedback from students and families is still pending, early responses from participating high schools have been overwhelmingly positive. "They see this as a college access opportunity," Terro said. "It's opening doors for students who might not have otherwise considered higher education."

As for the future, Lamar University hopes to expand the Early Admit Program to include additional schools in the coming years.

"This is just the beginning," Terro said. "We're confident in the excellence and value we offer, and this program reflects our commitment to accessibility and supporting early college readiness."

To learn more about admissions or explore scholarship opportunities, visit http://www.lamar.edu/admissions.