Students and families looking to reduce the cost of college are invited to attend Pathways to Mastering Scholarships, a free educational workshop designed to help students confidently search for and apply for scholarships. The program will be offered at two Brownwood locations in early March.
Workshop Dates and Locations:
March 3, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Howard Payne University
Faith and Life Leadership Center
138 Jackson Street
Jackson Conference Center, Room A
March 9, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Texas State Technical College – Brownwood Campus
301 Main Street
Brownwood, TX 76801
The workshop will be led by Courtney Parrott, County Extension Agent – Family and Community Health (FCH) with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Participants will receive practical, step-by-step guidance on navigating scholarships and financial aid opportunities. The session is based on Parrott’s comprehensive scholarship curriculum, which emphasizes organization, preparation, and persistence as keys to success.
Participants will learn:
- The different types of financial aid, including need-based and merit-based scholarships, tuition waivers, and VA benefits
- How parents and students can work together as a scholarship team
- Where to find local and national scholarship opportunities
- How to develop strong applications and compelling essays
- Tips for securing effective letters of recommendation
- The importance of organization, deadlines, and professional follow-up, including thank-you notes
The workshop also highlights a real-life success story of a rural student who applied for 60 scholarships, received 20 awards, and earned nearly $100,000 in funding. The example demonstrates that students do not have to be valedictorians or star athletes to secure significant scholarship support. Instead, success often comes from dedication, strategy, and consistency.
“This program is about helping families feel confident and empowered,” said Parrott. “Scholarships are available, but students need to know where to look and how to present themselves effectively. With the right tools and mindset, they can dramatically reduce their college expenses.”
The workshop is open to high school students, parents, college students, and community members interested in learning more about financing higher education.
Community partners supporting the program include Howard Payne University, Texas State Technical College, Texas Bank, and MC Bank. A scholarship drawing will be held at each workshop, and students must be present to win.
For more information, contact:
Courtney Parrott, CEA–FCH
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
325-646-0386
courtney.parrott@ag.tamu.edu
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.
