UP KATS Welcome to Saturday@SAM !
21K BEARKAT STUDENTS
53% FIRSTGENERATION STUDENTS
9.3% OF STUDENTS ARE MILITARY AFFILIATED SOCIAL MOBILITY BEST IN TX AS A TOP PERFORMER U.S. News & World Report 2023 TOP 10% IN TEXAS FOR AFFORDABILITY
45%
STUDENTS GO ON TO EARN THEIR GRADUATE DEGREES AT SHSU
ARTS & MEDIA
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
EDUCATION
HEALTH SCIENCES
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
UNDERGRAD DEGREES
STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
Accounting, BBA
Agricultural Business, BS
Agricultural Communications, BS
Agricultural Engineering Technology, BS
Animal Science, BS
Animal Science, Pre- Veterinary Medicine, BS
Animation, BFA
Applied Arts and Sciences, BAAS
Art, BA
Banking and Financial Institutions, BBA
Bilingual Health Care Studies, BA
Biology, BA, BS
Biomedical Science, BS
Chemistry for Other Technical Careers, BS
Chemistry for Professional Chemists, BS
Communication Studies, BA, BS *
Computing Science (Computer Science), BS
Computing Science (Information Assurance), BS
Computing Science (Information Systems), BS
Construction Management, BS Criminal Justice, BA, BS *
Cybersecurity, BS
Dance, BFA
Data Science, BS
Economics, BBA
Education, BS
Educational Studies, BA *
Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, BS
Engineering Design Technology, BS
Engineering Technology, BS
Arts & Media (CAM)
Business Administration (COBA)
Criminal Justice (CJ)
Education (COE)
English, BA
Entrepreneurship, BBA
Environmental Science (Pollution Abatement), BS
Environmental Science (Sustainability), BS
Environmental Science (Water Resources), BS
Fashion Merchandising, BS **
Film & TV Production, BFA
Finance, BBA
Food Science and Nutrition, BS
Food Service Management, BA, BS
Forensic Chemistry, BS
French, BA
General Business Administration, BBA *
Health Care Administration, BS *
Health Sciences, BS
History, BA, BS *
Homeland Security Studies, BA, BS **
Human Performance and Wellness Management, BS
Human Resource Management, BBA
Integrated Studies, BS *
Interdisciplinary Agriculture, BS
Interdisciplinary Agriculture: Agricultural Industries, Interior Design, BA, BS
International Business, BBA
Kinesiology (Clinical Exercise Science), BS
Learning Technologies, BA
Management Information Systems, BBA
Management, BBA
Marketing, BBA
Health Sciences (COHS)
Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS)
Osteopathic Medicine (COM)
Science & Engineering Technology (COSET)
Mass Communication: Broadcast Production, Mass Communication: Multiplatform Journalism,
Mass Communication: Public Relation & Advertising, Mass Communications: Film, BA
Mathematics, BA,
BS Mechanical Engineering Technology, BS
Music Therapy, BM
Music, BA,
Musical Theatre with Theatre Emphasis, BFA
Musical Theatre with Dance Emphasis, BFA
Nursing, BSN *
Philosophy, BA
Photography, BFA
Physics, BS
Physics/Engineering Dual Degree, BS
Plant and Soil Sciences, BS
Political Science, BA, BS *
Psychology, BS
Public Health, BS
Sociology, BA, BS *
Software Engineering, BS
Spanish, BA *
Studio Art 2D, BFA
Studio Art 3D, BFA
Supply Chain Management, BBA
Theatre- Acting and Direction Emphasis, BFA
Theatre- Design and Technology Emphasis, BFA TheatreTheatre Studies Emphasis,
BFA Victim Studies, BA, BS *
* Offeredonlineandinperson
** Offeredonlineonly
LIVING ON CAMPUS
SHSU offers many housing opportunities, including residence halls, small houses, and apartments. Honors College and specific majors have themed living communities. All freshmen who graduated high school within the last year must live on campus.
LSC BOWLING ALLEY REC CENTER MEMBERSHIP NEW DORMS
INTERACTIVE ART INSTALLATIONS
ACRE CAMPUS
BEARKAT
SHSU offers great dining with four locations, including Chick fil A and Starbucks. Choose from three meal plans, all with Bearkat Bucks for easy oncampus spending.
THE REC
• 5 multipurpose courts
• 3 studios
• 3 racquetball courts
• Rock wall
• Multifunctional training room
• Large weight room, and more!
OUTDOOR RECREATION
We offer climbing, equipment rentals for camping and more, as well as a thrilling challenge course.
BEARKATS WORK
MEN’S SPORTS
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, and Track & Field
17
NCAA D-1 ATHLETIC TEAMS
175K
SQ. FEET OF STATEOF-THE-ART FITNESS AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES
WOMEN’S SPORTS
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball
50+
CAMPUS EVENTS & TRADITIONS
BEARKAT CAMP
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
BEARKAT KICKOFF
BEARKAT ALLEY HOMECOMING
RING CEREMONY
TREE OF LIGHT WELCOME WEEK AND MORE!
HOW TO APPLY
1
4 OPTIONAL 2 3
AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE FOR FRESHMAN
We have automatic acceptance for any student with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, regardless of ACT or SAT score. GPAs are based on a 4.0 scale.
Submit an online application. Pay the application fee in the self - service portal. Submit Transcripts. Submit optional test scores.
Visit shsu.edu/apply. Visit shsu.edu/checkstatus. This is a non-refundable $50 fee.
Ask your high school to send an official transcript with GPA, date of (expected) graduation and graduation plan to SHSU. Transfer students send official transcripts from all institutions attended. (Code: 003606)
If you choose to send your test scores, contact the appropriate testing agency to request submission to SHSU. (SAT school code 6643; ACT school code 4162)
AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE FOR TRANSFERS
Any student with 12-17 transferable credit hours with a 2.5 or higher GPA or 18+ transferable credit hours with a 2.0 or higher GPA
IMPORTANT DATES
JUL 1
ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION OPENS
SEP 1
SCHOLARSHIPS4KATS
APPLICATION OPENS
OCT 1
FAFSA OPENS & HOUSING
APPLICATION OPENS TO NEW STUDENTS
NOV 1
SCHOLARSHIPS4KATS
PRIORITY DATE
*FAFSA FEB 15
PRIORITY DATE
FEB
ORIENTATION
REGISTRATION OPENS
MAR - MAY
ROOMMATE
SELECTION AVAILABLE
AUGUST
MOVE-IN WEEKEND & BEARKAT KICKOFF
YOUR FIRST STEPS
Congratulations Bearkat! We are proud to welcome you to our family. Start your journey with us by completing your “first steps.”
1. Activate SHSU Account
2. Check TSI Status
3. Submit Meningitis Forms
Financial Aid 101
Financial Aid – An investment in your future
Financial aid is money to help pay for your education. It is not designed to cover 100% of the cost.
1. Grants – funds that are given to you and do not need to be paid back.
• Pell Grant
• Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• State Grants (TPEG)
• Texas Grant
2. Scholarships – funds that are awarded to you and do not need to be paid back. 3. Work-study – funds earned by having a job. 4. Loans – funds that are lent to you and must be paid back.
• Direct Subsidized Loan
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Direct PLUS Parent loan
Applications & Dates
Applications for Financial Assistance
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
→ Federal funds for US Citizens and Permanent Residents
→ Apply at studentaid.gov
TASFA – Texas Application for State Financial Aid
→ State funds for DACA recipients that are not eligible for FAFSA
→ Apply at https://www.highered.texas.gov/ Scholarships
→ Various sources (community, employers, etc.)
→ Scholarships4Kats – must be an accepted student to apply
Alternative/Private Lenders
→ Online lender comparison: www.elmselect.com
Important Dates
To receive financial aid for the next academic year 2026-2027 (Incoming students beginning Fall 2026)
Why is there a priority date?
→ Better for a student to maximize aid offers
Sept 1
Scholarships4Kats Opens
Oct 1
FAFSA/TASFA Opens
→ Grants and scholarships are limited and given out by application completion date
→ Priority date is NOT a hard deadline - Applications can still be submitted after these dates!
Nov 1
Scholarship4Kats Priority Date
FEB 15
FAFSA/TASFA Priority Date
Scholarships
→ Opens Sept. 1 every year – Priority date Nov. 1
→ Must be an accepted student to apply – Uses SHSU credentials
→ One general application for all 8 SHSU colleges
→ Review Conditional applications & Recommended Opportunities
→ Be honest and take your time
→ Get to know your department – Communicate with professors Apply Early By Priority Dates Each Year
SHSU Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
For Your Information
Cost of Attendance (COA/Budget)
What is Cost of Attendance?
→ Estimated cost to attend SHSU
→ Used as a budget for financial aid offers
→ COA for academic year includes:
→ estimated tuition and fees
→ basic living expenses
→ Food, Housing, Transportation, Books/Supplies, Misc.
→ This is NOT what a student will pay in most cases (student will receive official fee statement before each semester).
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
How to maintain financial aid eligibility (academically):
1. Undergraduate students must maintain a SHSU GPA of 2.00 or above.
2. All students must maintain a completion rate of 67% or higher.
• Passed hours / Attempted hours = 67%
• This includes any transfer hours
3. Undergraduate students must not exceed 180 total attempted hours.
• This includes any transfer hours
SHSU Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
Student Money Management
Student Money Management
The mission of the Student Money Management Office is to help Bearkats achieve financial independence.
Top 10 College Financial Literacy Programs by College Cliffs 1-on-1 Coaching with Certified Personal Finance Coach
Scholarship Raffle after each Workshop
1:00pm vs Florida International University
Don’t forget:
Shuttle to Residence Halls
Pickup near Lowman
Student Center
Golf Carts for ADA accommodations
Find our staff outside the Coliseum at dismissal, or at the Info Tent and we can call one for you.
Application and FAFSA
Lab: Library 11am-2pm
Your program is designed to make your day smooth – notes and map pages in the back!
Info Tent in Plaza
Volunteers, staff – anyone in Sam Houston gear – we’re here to help you!