Houston Livestock Show awards $10.8M in scholarships
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is expanding its investment in the next generation of agricultural and community leaders, awarding $10.8 million in scholarships to 541 Texas students this year as part of a record-breaking educational commitment.
Announced over the weekend, the scholarships are valued at $20,000 each and support students pursuing four-year undergraduate degrees. The awards are part of the Rodeo’s record $15 million scholarship commitment and more than $30 million in total educational funding for 2026.
“Education has the power to change lives, and we’re proud to help open doors for these remarkable students,” said Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “These scholarships are possible because of the extraordinary support of our volunteers, donors, sponsors and attendees. Together, we’re investing in future leaders who will shape the future of our state.”
Recipients come from several of the Rodeo’s scholarship programs, including Area Go Texan, Exhibitor, Military, and Houston Area scholarships. Since its founding in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $660 million to youth and education, making it one of the nation’s largest scholarship providers.
The 2026 scholarship class highlights the growing impact of the program across Texas:
- 30 percent of recipients are first-generation high school graduates.
- 53 percent will be first-generation college students.
- Students will attend 49 colleges and universities across Texas.
- Recipients selected 126 different fields of study, with animal science, biology, psychology, mechanical engineering, and nursing among the most popular majors.
Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, Texas Tech University, and Texas State University are the five most common destinations for this year’s scholarship recipients.
“Every scholarship represents an opportunity to invest in the potential of a Texas student,” said Wesley Sinor, chairman of the board of the Rodeo. “On behalf of our 36,000 volunteers, there’s no greater reward than knowing our year-round work helps students pursue their dreams and create opportunities that will impact families and communities for generations.”
The scholarship recipients were recognized during the Rodeo’s annual Scholarship Picnic on July 11 at Houston’s Reliant Center, where students met with donors, volunteers, family members, and fellow recipients while representing the colleges and universities they will attend this fall.
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