Austin Housing Authority celebrated 47 resident scholars at the 26th Annual Resident Scholarship Ceremony, awarding $79,500 in scholarships to support their educational journeys.
This year’s theme, The Power of Perseverance, recognized something every scholar knows well: pursuing an education takes more than ambition. It takes determination to keep moving forward while balancing work, family and life’s many challenges.
For this year’s scholars, the ceremony marked both an achievement worth celebrating and another step toward the futures they are working to build.
More Than a Scholarship
A scholarship can help cover the cost of an education. But its impact can reach much further.
For Austin Housing Authority residents pursuing college, career training and other educational opportunities, financial support can help remove barriers standing between where they are today and where they hope to go next.
That spirit of perseverance was reflected by resident scholar speaker Katherine G., who encouraged her fellow scholars to stay focused on what they hope to achieve.
“Focus on your goal and be ambitious about it. With focus, you can put your mind to what you want and accomplish anything.”- Katherine G., 2026 Resident Scholarship Recipient
Her words captured the heart of this year’s theme: perseverance is not simply about overcoming challenges, but continuing to believe in what is possible and staying committed to the goal ahead.
Each of the 47 scholars recognized this year has a different story and a different goal. What connects them is the perseverance it takes to continue pursuing those goals.
Education can create pathways to greater opportunity, economic mobility and long-term self-sufficiency—not only for individual scholars, but for their families and communities.
Community Partners Make an Impact
Supporting resident education is a community effort. Austin Housing Authority is grateful for the educational partners whose continued support helps connect residents with resources and opportunities throughout their journeys:
- Austin Community College
- Austin ISD
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
- Communities In Schools of Central Texas
- Goodwill Central Texas
- Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
A special thank you also goes to Human-I-T, which provided laptops to this year’s scholarship recipients.
Access to reliable technology has become an important part of succeeding in the classroom and preparing for the workforce. By putting laptops directly into scholars’ hands, Human-I-T is helping expand digital access and ensure students have another tool they need to keep moving forward.
Supporting Resident Success
For 26 years, the Austin Housing Authority Scholarship has celebrated residents pursuing higher education, career training and greater economic opportunity.
To our 2026 scholars: Congratulations. Your perseverance brought you to this moment, and we look forward to seeing where it takes you next.
