Plan II Student Support Scholarships

HOW TO APPLY:

Students should apply using the LASSO Scholarship System. Application links and detailed instructions will be shared through the Plan II newsletter and Canvas announcements each cycle. 

Within the application, students should: 

• Describe their proposed activity clearly and specifically  

• Indicate the primary purpose of their request (travel, research, or thesis)  

• Provide any required supporting documentation (e.g., proof of acceptance, project description, budget)  

Applications should be as specific, concrete, and detailed as possible. Students should clearly describe their proposed activity, how the funding will support their work, and what can realistically be accomplished within the proposed timeframe. 

For research or thesis-related projects, additional detail may be expected, including a clear explanation of the project scope and anticipated outcomes. Requirements may vary depending on the type of proposed activity. 

In some cases, additional supporting materials may be required. For example, requests over $500 for thesis-related work will require a statement of support from the primary thesis supervisor, submitted to planiischolarships@austin.utexas.edu by the application deadline. Please note that this statement of support can be relatively short. A few sentences within the body of an email message from the thesis supervisor will suffice. 

PURPOSE: 

This grant supports Plan II students pursuing a range of academic opportunities, including study abroad, academic travel, independent or faculty-mentored research, unpaid summer internships and senior thesis work. 

Amount: 

Award amounts vary depending on the nature and scope of the proposed activity, demonstrated financial need, and total projected costs. Some funding sources may require demonstrated financial need as part of the award criteria. Historically, travel-related awards have typically ranged from approximately $500 to $2,500, while research or thesis-related awards have typically ranged from approximately $250 to $1,000. All awards are determined on a case-by-case basis. 

In most cases, Plan II will fund only part of the total cost of a project, trip, or research activity. Applications should include a clear and comprehensive budget outlining all anticipated expenses. 

Students are encouraged to apply for the maximum amount needed, as unanticipated expenses may arise. Students should also seek additional funding from other sources where possible. 

• Plan II will not help support nonacademic travel or student organization related travel
  • For specifically nonacademic travel, see the Rowe Koehl Travel Grant
• Only for individual student travel expenses, not for student groups or associations 

Please note: The Plan II Student Support Scholarships are not intended to cover the entire cost of your proposed travel, project, or research; funding decisions are also influenced by the availability of funds in each given application cycle. 

WHEN TO APPLY: 

Plan II offers multiple application cycles throughout the academic year. Students should apply based on the timing of their proposed travel, research, or thesis activity. 

• Spring Cycle: February 1st - 15th.  
  Applications support activities taking place in the summer or the following academic year.  

• Fall Cycle: September 15th - 30th. 
  Applications support activities taking place over winter break or during the spring semester.  

• Summer Cycle: May 15th - 31st.  
  Additional application opportunities may be available depending on funding and program needs. May provide partial financial assistance for unpaid summer internships; awards are not intended to fully fund internship expenses. 

RESTRICTED TRAVEL:

The University of Texas System requires all travel to countries with U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings to be reviewed and approved by the University's International Oversight Committee (IOC). Students wanting to travel to restricted regions must obtain Restricted Region Travel Approval to receive funding. We strongly advise students to complete this form during the program application process. Waiting to complete the petition process could result in a student not receiving a travel clearance or denial in time for departure. Students who are traveling to a restricted region as part of a UT group program should check with their program's administrator about restricted region approval.

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL:

Students who are traveling abroad independently will be required to register their travel with the International Office to receive funding.

One Award Per Academic Year 
While students may apply in multiple cycles, they are unlikely to receive more than one award within a given academic year. Priority may be given to students who have not previously received funding. 

Enrollment and Disbursement Requirements 

Students must be enrolled full-time during the semester of the award unless graduating and approved as full-time in their final term. 

Students must be actively enrolled in the Plan II Honors program at the time the funding is disbursed. Activities taking place after a student has graduated or completed their Plan II degree requirements are not eligible for funding. 

Do I need to choose between travel, research, or thesis funding? 
No. Students apply through a single application and indicate the primary purpose of their request. 

What counts as proof of acceptance? 
Acceptable documentation to demonstrate proof of acceptance may include a program acceptance letter, registration confirmation, or faculty approval for research or thesis work. 

What if my plans are not finalized or change after I apply or receive funding? 
Students should provide as much detail as possible at the time of application. 

• If your plans change after applying or after receiving funding, you must notify the Plan II office by email. Adjustments may be approved depending on the nature of the changes. 
• If your plans are cancelled (e.g., travel or research is no longer taking place), the award will be rescinded. 

Can I receive funding more than once? 
Funding may be awarded for different experiences; however, students will not receive multiple awards for the same program or project. 

When will I receive my funding? 
Students will be notified of their award via email. After accepting the award by replying to the notification email, funds are typically disbursed within 4–6 weeks through UT Austin. Please note that processing and disbursement timelines may vary. 

After accepting my award, do I need to do anything else? 
No additional action is required after you submit your acceptance, aside from completing the donor thank-you letter. 

Please note that processing and disbursement can take a few weeks. If you have direct deposit set up in UT Direct and are enrolled full-time for the semester, funds will be deposited automatically once processed. If you have any outstanding balance with the University, the award may first be applied toward that balance. 

Do I need to write a thank-you letter to the donor? 
Yes. We will contact you if needed. All grant recipients are required to write a thank-you letter to acknowledge the donor’s support. Instructions on how to complete and submit the letter will be shared via email after you accept your award. 

What if I receive funding from another source?

Students are encouraged to disclose any additional funding support related to the same project, travel, research, internship, or thesis experience. Receiving funding from another source does not automatically disqualify an application, but the committee may take existing support into consideration when determining award amounts.

If you receive additional funding after submitting your application or after receiving a Plan II award, please notify the Plan II office.