$1,000 Scholarship
The Olivia M. Howlett Memorial Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts
The Olivia M. Howlett Memorial Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts honors the life and legacy of Olivia Howlett, a gifted artist whose oil and watercolor paintings captured the landscapes of her native Ireland. Her work stood as a testament to her deep love for her country and the beauty of Ireland's countryside, castles, towns, and beaches.
Beyond her own painting, Olivia cherished all forms of artistic expression. She took particular joy in nurturing the creative pursuits of her children and grandchildren, whether they took up a paintbrush, stepped onto a stage, picked up an instrument, or simply put pencil to paper. To her, every artistic endeavor, no matter how small, was worth celebrating and encouraging.
This scholarship is offered in her memory to support students who share her conviction that the creative arts make the world a better, more human place. It is awarded to students pursuing studies in the visual or performing arts, including but not limited to painting, drawing, sculpture, theatre, music, dance and film. Recipients embody Olivia's spirit: a passion for artistic craft, a generosity toward the creative work of others, and a belief that art enriches the communities and lives it touches.
Eligibility:
Must be a degree seeking student majoring in the visual or performing arts
Must be a student currently attending or actively transferring from a Texas Community College. If transferring, you must be planning to enroll in a degree program at a Texas public university in the Fall semester the award is made.
Must have earned at least 30 college credits by June 1 of the year the award is made.
Must have a GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
Must be a high school graduate by time of award. Dual enrollment students are not eligible.
Must have a financial need
No FAFSA, Social Security Number, or proof of citizenship is required to apply
Application for Fall 2026 now open!
Deadline for submission: June 1, 2026 at 11:59PM
FAQs-
How to apply?
Submit your application form online through our "Apply Now" portal above before the deadline.
Who is eligible?
Must be a degree seeking student majoring in the visual or performing arts
Must be a student currently attending or actively transferring from a Texas Community College. If transferring, you must be planning to enroll in a degree program at a Texas public university in the Fall semester the award is made.
Must have earned at least 30 college credits by June 1 of the year the award is made.
Must be a high school graduate by time of award. Dual enrollment students are not eligible.
Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
Must have a financial need for tuition or living expenses while in college
No FAFSA, Social Security Number, or proof of citizenship is required to apply
What documents are needed?
When you apply, you will need to upload
your latest unofficial transcript
one letter of recommendation
resume or curriculum vitae
FASFA/TASFA if completed
When is the deadline?
Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2026 for awards made for Fall 2026.
Is there an application fee?
No, applying is completely free of charge for all students.
How will I know if I’m awarded a scholarship?
What should I include on my resume or CV?
Applications are scored holistically, and while we prioritize financial need, we want to know about what you are doing outside the classroom that demonstrates a passion for your chosen major and a commitment to community involvement (demonstrated by things like volunteerism or leadership activities, among others).
How do you determine financial need?
ODEI's mission is to reduce barriers to higher education for motivated students. While applications are competitively scored in a holistic rubric, financial need is a major barrier we seek to reduce for awardees. The application will ask you about your financial circumstances, and if awarded you may be asked to verify the information you provide. However, we understand financial need might not be completely reflected your household income or student aid report. We encourage applicants to tell us about any circumstances that might impact their financial need in the application.
Award emails will be sent 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. Only students awarded will be notified, but applicants can reach out to ODEI at info@opendoorsei.org with any questions about their application. Students awarded a scholarship may be required to submit additional information or documents before final awards are made in order to verify information submitted, including final transcripts where grades for in-progress courses are needed to verify eligibility. Failure to adhere to requests or deadlines in award emails will result in awardee forfeiting the scholarship. Scholarship funds awarded will be paid directly to the recipient's institution of higher education and applied toward qualified educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, required course materials, and living expenses. Scholarship recipients are solely responsible for any federal, state, or local tax obligations that may arise from receipt of this award. The Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship does not provide tax advice; applicants are encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional with any questions.
