Picture of the outside of a Credit Union of Texas branch building

William H. Cotton Scholarship

In honor of William H. Cotton, Credit Union of Texas annually awards one deserving member of the Dallas Independent School District with a $20,000 scholarship for continuing education. 

About the William H. Cotton Scholarship

CUTX created the scholarship program in 2016 to acknowledge William H. Cotton's 46 years of dedication and service to DISD and CUTX. He retired as an associate superintendent for DISD and as a board officer for CUTX. Following his retirement, he continued to serve the District in many capacities and garnered numerous awards before passing away in May of 2019 at the age of 85.

The $20,000 William H. Cotton Scholarship is awarded to one DISD educator or administrator seeking to pursue continuing post-baccalaureate education. This included certifications to further their career in the field of education for the benefit of the DISD community and its students. 


Past Recipients

 Since it's inception, the William H. Cotton Scholarship has awarded a total of $140,000 to DISD educators. Past recipients include a principal at B.H. Macon Elementary School, a co-founder of Solar Preparatory School for Girls, the first all-girls public elementary school in Texas, a teacher for the Talented and Gifted program at the Yvonne A. Ewell Magnet Center and a teacher with Zumwalt Middle School's Accelerating Campus Excellence Initiative (ACE).  

The winner of the 2023 Cotton Scholarship from Credit Union of Texas
2023 Winner
Alexandria Cervantes
MTSS Interventionist at Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center
2019 Winner
Xavier Almaguer
Chemistry AP at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet
2020 Winner
Diana Nunez
Principal of W.H. Adamson High School

2021  Winner
Antonio Verduzco
Principal of B.H. Macon Elementary School
2022 Winner
Lamecia Rhodes
Assistant Principal of Skyline High School




We are now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Academic Year!

Eligibility Requirements

Scholarship applicants must meet all the following requirements: 
  • Must be a CUTX member with a checking account prior to submitting an application
  • Checking account, and all other accounts at CUTX must be in good standing
  • Must be a full-time ort part-time DISD faculty or administrator
  • Must be intent to further your career in the field of education and serving the DISD community during the course of the scholarship term
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
  • All required attachments must be submitted with your application
  • CUTX employees and family members of CUTX employees are NOT eligible for this scholarship