Scholarships

HOW IT WORKS

Each year, NEC awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are dependents of NEC members and meet the eligibility requirements set forth on the application form. Funding for this scholarship program comes from unclaimed NEC capital credits. Unclaimed capital credits for NEC members are sent to the Texas comptroller. NEC applies annually to the comptroller to receive a portion of the funds back to support this scholarship program for students who plan to pursue studies at a Texas institution of higher learning approved by the Office of the Texas Comptroller.

AWARDS

The scholarships to be awarded during this school year are:

Two (2) - $8,000 scholarships. One (1) Ramiro De La Paz Memorial $8,000 scholarship. One (1) John L. Sims $8,000 scholarships. *Must attend an accredited 4-year Texas university.

Ten (10) – $3,000 scholarships.

Two (2) - $4,000 scholarships distributed over the length of the 2-year or vocational college in Texas.

Two (2) – $5,000 scholarships distributed upon completion of a qualifying Lineman’s College. The Line worker Scholarship is open to apply year-round.

Deadline for 4-year & 2-year scholarships is Sunday, February 15th, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. Please note this is the date they should be received in-hand, not postmarked. The Lineworker scholarship is open to apply year-round.

ELIGIBILITY

Available to any graduating senior who is also a dependent of an active Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc. member. The member must have received electric service from NEC for a minimum of six months as of the date the scholarship application is due.
Scholarship to be granted to attend a recognized Texas instruction of higher education.
Applicant must be of good character as evidenced by one (1) letter of recommendation from a representative of the high school the applicant is currently attending or from employers/ supervisors.
Applicant must demonstrate a coherent degree plan and willingness to pursue a course of higher learning.
Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of funds available and the applicants’ eligibility, including financial need.
4-year and 2-year applications must be received by Sunday, February 15th, 2026, by 5:00pm. Awards will be announced within ninety (90) days of this date. Line worker scholarships are open year-round.

REQUIREMENTS

Recipient must maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average for the two-year and four-year scholarships and at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average for the lineworker scholarship on a 4.00 scale and carry a minimum of 12 hours or be considered by the registrar of the institution to be a full-time student (e.g. vocational schools). Failure to meet the above requirements will result in the termination of the scholarship.
Recipient must provide a copy of his/her grades at the end of each school semester to Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc. Education Fund Committee before funds can be released for the subsequent semester.
If awarded a scholarship, guardian must remain a member of NEC for the duration of the scholarship period or the student forfeits the remaining scholarship monies.

SmartHub:

Scholarships

Cooperative Principle #5:

HOW IT WORKS

AWARDS

ELIGIBILITY

REQUIREMENTS

2026 Scholarship Submissions Closed

Please check back for 2027 Scholarship information.