The McDermott Award is renewable annually for up to four years (through spring 2028) pending the Scholar’s continued eligibility in keeping with the academic, service, extracurricular and community requirements of the McDermott Scholars Program.

Per the IRS, scholarships are taxable. Because tax liability depends on each individual’s circumstances, recipients should consult a personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns.

Minimum semesterly and cumulative academic GPA requirements:

• First Year: 3.2
• Second Year: 3.3
• Third Year: 3.4
• Fourth Year: 3.5

Additionally, McDermott Scholars are required to complete 30 hours of academic credit across the fall and spring semesters (15 unique hours each fall and spring) each year. Summers are treated differently and cannot be added to the 30-hour requirement.

McDermott Scholars are expected to be consistently active in the local and campus communities through leadership and service. Each Scholar is expected to complete a minimum number of hours per long semester and a summer of service at the end of the first year in the Program. Scholars also commit to participate in the extracurricular dimensions of the McDermott Scholars Program including, but not limited to, cohort travel, cultural enrichment, McDermott community events, Program recruitment events and the McDermott First-Year Seminar (Friday afternoons).

Yes. McDermott Scholars’ summers are funded. Year-round participation (including summer engagement) is required. During the summer immediately following the end of the first academic year of their commitment, Scholars participate in McDermott Service Summer programming. Second- and third-year summers must be utilized for Program-approved engagement (e.g., classes, service, study abroad, internship and/or research).

During the first year of their commitment, McDermott Scholars maintain residence in the University’s Honors Housing with an on-campus lease. During the second, third and fourth years, they hold a lease on or off campus. Scholars may not live at home outside of University holidays/school closures.

McDermott Scholars may major in any subject available at UT Dallas.

The McDermott Scholars Program covers tuition and mandatory fees, housing and living stipends, book stipends, up to $15,000 for study abroad and other development, and more.

The award package is the same; however, international students are subject to special fees, orientation fees, student insurance coverage, and additional tax liability that is not funded by the McDermott Scholars Program.

McDermott Scholars are expected to study abroad in a Program-approved, credit-bearing academic experience.

Paid employment is incompatible with the demands of the Program.