Donor-Funded Scholarships
Creating Pathways to Success.
Donor-funded and departmental scholarships connect students with supporters who are investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, educators and changemakers.
Featured Donors
At East Texas A&M, we believe education has the power to transform lives—and our generous donors believe that, too. Donor-funded and departmental scholarships connect students with supporters who are investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, educators, and changemakers. These gifts help ease financial burdens, open doors to new possibilities and create pathways to success.
Gary and Sandra Fernandes
Gary and Sandra Fernandes’ journey began as students at East Texas State University in the 1960s and has been defined by service, leadership, and philanthropy ever since.
After graduating in 1963, Sandra pursued careers in social work and education while Gary served in the U.S. Army before beginning a distinguished 30-year career with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), where he retired as vice chairman in 1999.
Inspired by the opportunities they received at ETSU, the Fernandeses have dedicated themselves to helping future generations of students succeed. Their generosity has supported scholarships, an endowed professorship in the College of Business, Lion Athletics, and the creation of Lyday Gardens, a welcoming outdoor space for learning and connection.
In 2021, they established the Lyday Fernandes Scholars Endowment with a historic gift to the university, and in 2024, they expanded their impact by creating the Fernandes Family Scholars Wall to raise awareness of financial aid opportunities for current and future Lions.
Today, Gary and Sandra continue to invest in the lives of East Texas A&M students, leaving a legacy of service and opportunity that will benefit Lions for generations to come.
The Lyday Fernandes Scholarship
Every scholarship tells a story of generosity, opportunity and belief in the potential of East Texas A&M students. The Lyday Fernandes Scholarship has been made possible by the generous contributions of Gary and Sandra Fernandes in honor of Mrs. Fernandes’s parents, Faye and Tildon Lyday.
Criteria
- Scholarship is available to students who meet either of the following criteria:
- a. First-generation students; or
- b. Students whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is currently employed in public service. Public service includes, but is not limited to, the following fields: Education (public school teachers and administrators); Healthcare (public health workers, EMS personnel); Law Enforcement and Public Safety (police officers, firefighters, correctional officers); Military Service (active duty, veterans, National Guard); and Government Employees (local, state, or federal workers). Disclosure of the public service employment for the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be required as part of the application process.
- Additional eligibility requirements are as follows:
- a. Incoming high school graduate with financial need.
- b. Minimum High school GPA of 3.0 and graduating in the top 25% of their class.
- c. Full-time student, defined as a student who is currently enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours for the fall semester and will complete a minimum of 24 credit hours within the academic year.
- d. From one of the following counties: Delta, Fannin, Lamar, or Red River.
- i. If there are not enough eligible applicants from the four counties listed above, students from the following counties are eligible to receive the scholarship: Anderson, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.
- 3. The Endowment Fund will generate at least one new scholarship each academic year, with a minimum award of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) divided equally between the fall and spring semesters.
- 4. This scholarship may be awarded for a period not to exceed four (4) years or until the recipient has obtained a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. The scholarship provides a minimum award of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per academic year; accordingly, a recipient who remains eligible for the maximum four-year period may receive a total minimum award of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000).
Student Impacts
“I am deeply grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship, which will help me achieve my aspirations by providing access to educational opportunities that will shape my future. Pursuing higher education is not just for my own benefit, but also to continue setting a positive example for my younger sister and brother.”
- Raegan Valentine – Como, TX
- College of Education and Human Services
- Social Work
“I became interested in nursing after my personal experiences with various surgeries. I want to help others as they have helped me and I want to make a difference. This scholarship will help me continue and further my education without financial stress.”
- Alyssa Gilbert – Honey Grove, TX
General Scholarships
“I plan to become a neuropsychologist one day so I can help others gain confidence to live their life to the fullest, despite their brain conditions or injuries. Receiving this scholarship is a life-changing opportunity that will allow me the ability to efficiently manage my time between college and work.”
- Cynthia Espinoza – Greenville, TX
- College of Education & Human Services
- Psychology Major, Biology Minor
Donor-Funded and Departmental Scholarship Opportunities
Deadline: July 1, 2026
Admitted students can apply for donor-funded and departmental scholarship opportunities by completing matching questions and submitting applications. Students admitted to a CBE (Competency-Based Education) program or accepted under the PSA program are not eligible to apply for donor-funded scholarships.
The scholarship application cycle for donor-funded and departmental scholarships begins December 1. After applying, be sure to check the portal frequently for any new opportunities that may have opened up.Offer notifications will be sent via the student myLeo email address. Any offers need to be accepted by the acceptance deadlines. Any awards not accepted by the deadlines will be canceled and funds offered to other students. Canceled offers will not be reinstated.
Complete Matching Questions
Begin the scholarship application process by answering a set of matching questions in the Scholarship Portal. These questions are designed to identify scholarships you may qualify for based on your unique circumstances.
View Matched Scholarships
After every 10 questions, you will be shown a list of scholarships that match your answers so far. Review the list to explore your options.
Submit Applications
For each matched scholarship:
- Click to view the scholarship details.
- Complete the application form for that specific scholarship.
- Submit your application directly through the portal.
Note: If the application is the same for multiple scholarships, your answers will transfer automatically. However, you must still review and submit each application individually to ensure accuracy.
Save and Return
You can save your progress at any time by selecting the “Save and Keep Editing” option. This allows you to return later to complete your application process.
Need Help?
- Short Videos Coming Soon: We are currently creating helpful short videos to guide you through the application process. Check back soon!
- Questions?: Contact us at [email protected] for assistance.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify applicants via their LeoMail account if a scholarship offer has been made.
March 1, 2026 or April 12, 2026
As new scholarship opportunities are added regularly, please continue to log in to the Scholarship Portal for any new scholarship opportunities that may become available.
It is suggested that you ask a reference for permission to use them as a reference. Once you have applied, let them know to expect an email with instructions. This will assist with the timely completion of your reference.
If you have additional questions regarding the Scholarship Portal or the General Scholarship Application, please email [email protected].