Brownwood-area students and parents will have an opportunity to learn how to find and apply for college scholarships during a workshop scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at Howard Payne University. Students who attend will also be automatically entered into a scholarship drawing without submitting a separate scholarship application.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Brown County is hosting the Pathways to Mastering Scholarships workshop at 6 p.m. in Room A of the Jackson Conference Center, located in Howard Payne’s Faith and Life Leadership Center.
What the Brownwood workshop will cover
The program is designed for high school students, college students and their families. Organizers say it will provide practical guidance for identifying scholarship opportunities, preparing competitive applications and reducing the cost of higher education.
Participants will learn how to identify scholarships, create an academic résumé, write compelling essays, request effective recommendation letters and avoid common mistakes in the application process. The workshop will also address the value of starting early, staying organized and developing a personal scholarship strategy.
Attendees will receive The Scholarship Toolkit, a collection of scholarship resources, useful websites, résumé tips, sample essay questions and other information intended to help students navigate applications.
“Many students believe scholarships are only available to those with the highest grades, athletic abilities, or extensive extracurricular involvement,” Courtney Parrott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension family and community health agent for Brown County, said. “However, thousands of scholarship opportunities exist for students with different backgrounds, interests, experiences, and career goals.”
Scholarship drawing supported by local banks
The scholarship drawing is supported by Texas Bank and MCBank. AgriLife Extension said the banks’ contributions are intended to help local students pursue higher education and highlight the role of community partnerships.
Parrott said the program’s broader goal is to help students continue their education while minimizing student loan debt. Even smaller awards can assist with tuition, books, housing and other education-related expenses.
“Every scholarship dollar earned is one less dollar a student may need to borrow,” Parrott said. “Our goal is to equip students and families with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to take control of the scholarship process and make college more affordable.”
How to attend
Students and parents are encouraged to attend together. The source announcement directs people to scan the QR code on the event flyer to RSVP and reserve a spot.
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Howard Payne University, Faith and Life Leadership Center, Jackson Conference Center, Room A
- Contact: Courtney Parrott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Brown County
- Phone: 325-646-0386
- Email: [email protected]
The workshop is open to students preparing for college as well as those already enrolled. Organizers say the session is intended to help families turn scholarship opportunities into financial support for education.