USAA Ascent Scholars Program
Program Overview
Generously funded by USAA, the Ascent Scholars program is a competitive two-year career preparation experience designed to help students build the skills, experiences and professional networks needed to thrive in technology careers.
Through a combination of scholarship support, career coaching, peer mentoring, faculty-guided projects, leadership development and experiential learning opportunities, College of AI, Cyber and Computing students gain practical experience and prepare for the transition from college to the workforce.
If selected, they progress through the program by meeting established milestones and maintaining active participation.
Why Apply?
As a USAA Ascent Scholar, students receive:
- A renewable scholarship that increases as you advance through the program.
- Personalized career and leadership coaching.
- Peer mentoring and community support.
- Faculty-guided project experiences.
- Professional development workshops.
- Opportunities to engage with employers and industry leaders.
- Leadership opportunities representing the College of AI, Cyber and Computing.
Am I Eligible?
To apply, you must:
- Be an undergraduate student majoring in a College of AI, Cyber and Computing discipline.
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Be enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours.
- Demonstrate active or intended participation in career readiness activities.
Priority consideration will be given to students from the Themed Residential Community, transfer students transitioning to UT San Antonio and students who are core complete in college-level Math and Writing.
Program Levels
Students enter the program at the level corresponding to their completed credit hours at the time of application.
Level 1 – Foundation
Completed credit hours: 9–40
Award: $1,500 per year
Level 2 – Apply
Completed credit hours: 41–75
Award: $2,500 per year
Level 3 – Launch
Completed credit hours: 76+
Award: $3,000 per year
THE TWO-YEAR EXPERIENCE
Year 1: Build and Prepare
Level 1 – Foundation
Students focus on professional development, career readiness, leadership development, peer mentoring, and campus engagement.
Level 2 – Apply
Students continue professional development while beginning faculty-guided project exploration. Participants identify areas of interest, connect with faculty advisors, and begin developing a project concept.
Level 3 – Launch
Students refine a project concept, identify a faculty advisor, define a project question or challenge, and present a project proposal during the Spring Undergraduate and CAICC Research Showcase.
Advancement to Year 2
Students who successfully complete Year 1 requirements and program milestones become eligible to continue into Year 2. Advancement is based on engagement, participation, and project readiness.
Year 2: Execute and Lead
Students continue at the level corresponding to their academic standing while completing a faculty-guided project initiated during Year 1.
Year 2 scholars will:
Execute and complete their project.
- Meet regularly with a faculty project advisor.
- Participate in advanced professional development opportunities.
- Present final outcomes at the Spring Undergraduate and CAICC Research Showcase.
- Serve as ambassadors and leaders within the CAICC community.
PROGRAM COMMITMENT
Scholars should expect to dedicate approximately 3–5 hours per month to program activities, including:
- Professional development workshops.
- Leadership and coaching sessions.
- Peer mentoring meetings.
- Faculty advisor meetings.
- Project development and execution.
- College engagement opportunities.
Detailed requirements and milestone expectations will be shared during the mandatory Scholar Onboarding Session following acceptance.
HOW TO APPLY
The USAA Ascent Scholars Program is more than a scholarship. It is a developmental journey designed to help students discover their strengths, build meaningful experiences and graduate prepared to lead in AI, cybersecurity, computing and emerging technologies.
Applications are currently closed.
