Financial Aid Viewbook - Spring 2024

FINANCIAL AID VIEWBOOK

LOWERING THE COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

A college education is one of the most important investments you and your family can make. The Office of Student Financial Aid is here to help you reach your educational goals. We have various types of financial aid to support your college expenses.

Types of Aid

Need-Based Aid

These funds are awarded based on your financial need. Awards can be in the form of grants, work-study programs and low interest loans. Your eligibility is determined by information from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Merit-Based Aid

Merit-based funds are awarded to students based on their academic achievements and do not have to be repaid.

HOW TO APPLY

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for all federal, state and university need-based financial aid as well as some non-need-based programs. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis. You may still be awarded if you apply after the March 1* priority deadline, but funds are limited the later you apply.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA application will be available Dec. 31, 2023*. Families may use their 2022 tax information to complete the application.

Complete the FAFSA Online

Complete the FAFSA application online at studentaid.gov. The student (and parent of a dependent undergraduate student) should use a Federal Student Aid Identification Number (FSAID) to sign the FAFSA electronically. You – and your parent(s), if applicable – can apply for a FSAID at fsaid.ed.gov.

* We experienced a lot of changes to federal funding associated with the 2024-2025 FAFSA aid year, in which, adjustments were made to the application and deadlines. As we move to the next federal aid year, we expect the dates of the FAFSA application and deadline to go back to the traditional dates of opening in October.

TUITION AND COSTS

Applying for TASFA

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), is a state application for students classified as a Texas resident, but are ineligible to complete the FAFSA. Students can download the application on www.collegeforalltexans.com. The TASFA will be available Dec. 31, 2023*, and the priority deadline is March 1, 2024*. Students should submit a completed application to the Office of Student Financial Aid by the priority deadline. What happens after you apply?

The U.S. Department of Education uses data from your FAFSA to generate the “Student Aid Index” (SAI) to UHCL. Your SAI will be shown on your FAFSA Submission Summary. The difference between the cost of attendance and your SAI is your financial need. Your SAI is a figure used to determine your financial aid eligibility. It is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.

Cost Calculator

Everybody’s bottom line is different, but you can use our Cost Calculator to get a good idea of how much a UHCL education is likely to cost and then estimate the aid you may be offered

The cost of attendance is a comprehensive budget that consists of tuition and fees, room and board allowances, books, transportation and personal expenses. Of these items, the expenses directly owed to UHCL include tuition and fees. The costs listed below are an example of the cost of attendance for a student attending full-time for the 2023-2024 academic year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

UHCL offers many scholarship opportunities for current and continuing students. www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT ELIGIBILITY

Hunter Hall Housing Scholarship (Need-based)

$2,000 per year

Current and continuing students Varies

Outside Scholarships (Non-UHCL)

The Hunter Hall Housing Scholarship is for new and continuing degree-seeking undergraduate and/or graduate students. Applicants need to have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school and/or UHCL GPA and be enrolled in and complete at least 9 credit hours each semester.

As a UHCL student, you will have access to current and continuing scholarships. Qualifications and requirements vary by scholarship and college. Before applying, it is important to review each listed scholarship criteria. See individual scholarship listing for detailed information.

Consider applying to local (high school counselors, community organizations, Chamber of Commerce, etc.), state, national (fastweb.com) or private scholarships.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply in E-Services under the “Financial Aid” or “Admissions” tile and look for “Apply for UHCL Scholarships” tab.

Scholarship Applications

Opens*: February 1, Deadline to Apply: February 28

Deadlines based on scholarship requirements.

*Some scholarships are open outside of the February dates. Please check the website and your UHCL email for communications about available scholarships.

Work-study Opportunities

Work-study is a great opportunity for a student to work and earn money. Eligibility to participate in either federal or state work-study is based on the results of your FAFSA. If you are offered work-study as part of your award package, it is important that you accept the award in E-Services. For more information, visit www.uhcl.edu/ costs-aid/types/work-study.

LOANS & GRANTS

A college loan is like any other type of loan in the real world. You borrow a specific amount of money and you repay the loan based on the terms established by the lender. Grants are gift aid, or free aid, that you don’t have to repay that is funded by UHCL, the federal government, or state governments. Other grants awarded at UHCL include Texas Public Education Grants (TPEG) and Resident Undergraduate and Resident Graduate Student Assistance Grants. www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types

Loans

Federal Subsidized

Up to $3,500 (Fr.)

$4,500 (So.)

$5,500 (Jr. and Sr.)

Federal Unsubsidized

Loan Up to $5,500 (Fr.)

$6,500 (So.)

$7,500 (Jr. and Sr.) in combined Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Federal Parents PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students

Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate Students

Private Alternative Loans

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

Based on need from FAFSA. Payments start six months from last date of enrollment. Interest is subsidized by the government while in school. Small loan fee. Must be degree seeking.

Available for all qualified FAFSA applicants. Not need-based. Payments start six months after last date of enrollment. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Small loan fee. Additional amount available for independent students and dependent students whose parents are denied a PLUS loan. Must be degree seeking.

All dependent students. Not need-based. Parents borrow on behalf of students. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Loan fees apply. Must be degree seeking.

All graduate students. Not need-based. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Loan fees apply. Must be degree seeking.

Not need-based. Student loans made through a lending institution. Normally requires a cosigner. Loan features: interests rates and payment terms vary by applicant.

What’s the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?

Grants

Submit FAFSA

Submit FAFSA

Submit FAFSA and apply at studentloans.gov

Submit FAFSA and apply at studentloans.gov

Search for lenders online at elmselect.com

TEACH

Subsidized loans have no interest while you’re in school. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest as soon as you borrow.

Submit FAFSA. Visit studentaid.gov for more information

FINANCIAL AID OFFER LETTER

You will receive your financial aid offer email once you have been admitted to UHCL and filed your FAFSA. After you receive your offer letter, you can view your award information, complete any needed forms and accept pending financial aid offers online in E-Services

DATES AND DEADLINES

FAFSA Available Online

December 31, 2023

FAFSA Priority Deadline

March 1, 2024

$4.9 million

awarded in university and endowed scholarships in 2022-2023

62% of uhcl students received financial assistance

in scholarships , grants , loans , work-study, etc .

ONLINE RESOURCES

UHCL Office of Student Financial Aid www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid

UHCL Scholarship Information www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships

Free Application for Federal Student Aid studentaid.gov

Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) studentaid.gov

Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note www.studentaid.gov

FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST

STEP 1: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Submit your FAFSA at studentaid. gov starting December 31, 2023 to be considered for the most need-based financial aid and to ensure the results reach us by the March 1 priority deadline.

STEP 2: APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Visit www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid to view UHCL scholarships and grants.

STEP 4: LOG INTO E-SERVICES

Students may need to submit additional items before they can be awarded and will have a to-do list in E-Services. Once awarded, log in to E-Services to view and accept your award.

STEP 5: LOG INTO BANKMOBILE

After financial aid is applied to your outstanding balance, you will receive the remaining refund through BankMobile. UHCL will mail information on how to set up your preference of either using the BankMobile account, transferring to another bank account, or receiving a check in the mail.