Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship Program

Geographic Scope: Bexar County, San Antonio area high schools

The Valero Alamo Bowl has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors since 2000. The program has evolved significantly:

• 2000 (inaugural year): 25 students received $2,000 scholarships ($50,000 total)
• 2012: 30 students, program passed $1 million cumulative total
• 2014: 55 students received $7,500 each ($412,500 total)
• 2015: 58 students received $7,500+ each ($450,000 total)
• 2016-17: 100+ students, $800,000 total (bowl record)
• Cumulative (through 2016): 600+ students, over $8+ million awarded
• Base award: $7,500 per student
• Special awards: Up to $20,000 (Shining Star Energy scholarships)
• Some students receive full-ride scholarships from their chosen universities

Eligibility:

• Graduating high school seniors from Bexar County
• Attending San Antonio area public and private high schools
• Minimum one award per San Antonio high school (as of 2016-17)

Selection Criteria:

• Academic achievement
• Teacher recommendations
• Financial need
• Personal narrative/essay
• Involvement in extracurricular activities
• Priority given to students participating in varsity sports
• Class rank and GPA considered

Geographic Focus: San Antonio, Texas (Bexar County)

Benefits Include:

• Scholarship funds to college of student's choice
• Luncheon recognition (typically at Fleming's Steakhouse or similar venue)
• Game tickets to Valero Alamo Bowl
• Field recognition during first quarter of bowl game
• Family invitation to bowl game

Funding Sources:

• Proceeds from bowl events
• Support from: Valero, Frost Bank, H-E-B, Shining Star Energy, Mike Yantis Jr.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (210) 226-BOWL (2695)
• Email: info@alamobowl.com
• Address: 100 Montana Street, San Antonio, Texas 78203
• Website: https://www.alamobowl.com/about/scholarships/

Administration:

• Administered through Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation (San Antonio scholarship clearinghouse)

Application Process

Application Method:

• Applications submitted through Bexar County Scholarship Clearing House
• Available in school guidance offices

Timeline:

• Application deadline: Typically early November (varies by year)
• Note: Individual schools may have earlier internal deadlines
• Students should check with their school's guidance counselor for exact deadlines
• Winners announced: End of November/early December

Required Materials:

• Application form (from Bexar County Scholarship Clearing House)
• Personal narrative/essay
• Teacher recommendations
• Academic records/transcripts (for GPA and class rank verification)
• Documentation of extracurricular activities and honors
• Sports participation records (if applicable)

Selection Process:

1. Submit application through school guidance office
2. Committee review based on academic achievement, recommendations, financial need, narrative, and extracurricular involvement
3. Winners selected end of November
4. Award notification in early December
5. Recognition at luncheon (typically mid-December)
6. Recognition at Valero Alamo Bowl game (December/January)

Key Notes:

• Each school has different internal deadlines—students must check with guidance counselor
• Application submitted to clearinghouse, not directly to bowl
• Selection committee considers all material holistically