Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech to offer academic achievement awards
March 02, 2022 | General
Student-athletes can now earn additional financial support through the Strive Program that will be funded by gifts to the Red Raider Club
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Athletics has announced it will now provide scholarship student-athletes with the opportunity for additional financial assistance beginning with the 2022 fall semester following recent changes in NCAA and Big 12 legislation related to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Alston vs. NCAA.
As affirmed by the September decision by the country's highest court, a federal trial court's injunction against the NCAA permits universities to provide student-athletes an academic achievement award, which consists of financial support up to $5,980 per year. Student-athletes able to obtain an academic achievement award will earn up to $2,990 per semester (fall and spring), which will be privately funded through contributions to the Red Raider Club Excellence Fund.
"Texas Tech Athletics is fortunate to have the great donor support where we can continue to provide first-class benefits for our student-athletes," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "Our goal is to provide our student-athletes the best athletic and academic experience in the country, and that is made possible when our donors support the Red Raider Club. We are proud of the efforts that have gone in to creating the Strive Program and how that will impact our student-athletes on an annual basis." Â
Texas Tech has used the months since the court's ruling in September to establish criteria for student-athletes to earn the education-based benefits that are now permissible by the NCAA. During that time, Texas Tech has created the Strive Program, which will set the standard for academic achievement awards provided by the athletics department.
As part of the Strive Program, Texas Tech will provide $1,990 per semester to scholarship student-athletes who are academically eligible, on course to graduate on schedule and remain a member in good standing with his or her respective sports program at the end of the semester. The additional $1,000 will be earned based on GPA requirements and participation in student-athlete programming led by the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Department of Student-Athlete Development.
Similar to the implementation of cost of attendance measures in recent years, Texas Tech Athletics will raise the necessary $1.8 million to cover academic achievement awards annually through gifts to the Red Raider Club. The Red Raider Club annually allows Texas Tech Athletics to provide the necessary resources for student-athletes to compete at the highest level, both in the classroom and in competition.
Red Raider Club contributions can be made on a monthly, quarterly or one-time basis by contacting the Red Raider Club office. For more information regarding the Red Raider Club, please visit www.RedRaiderClub.com or contact a staff representative at 806-742-1196.
