College is well within reach — and we are here to help.
Your education should be full of inspiring challenges — but paying for it should not be one of them. Once you apply and are admitted to the University of Houston-Clear Lake, we offer a variety of options to help you fund your academic journey. We are here to guide you through the process.
BECOMING A HAWK IS YOUR FIRST STEP IN THE JOURNEY Know
Freshman: Students who apply for admission to UHCL during their senior year of high school or graduated from high school but have not attended a college or university.
Transfer: Students who completed 12 or more college credits after high school at another college or university before being admitted to UHCL.
Apply for admission.
Visit www.applytexas.org to complete and submit an online application to UHCL. To learn more about the freshman or transfer admissions process, criteria, and application deadlines, visit www.uhcl.edu/apply. UHCL has rolling admissions, which means you can apply and gain admission any time of year. Apply today.
Let’s make college affordable — together.
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov. Note: Each student applying for aid must first apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). In most cases, a parent must also apply for their own FSA ID. Completing the FAFSA is always free.
• Send your FAFSA to UHCL by using our school code: 011711.
• Priority Deadline: Feb. 15, 2025.
Student Aid Index (SAI) – Your SAI is calculated using the information from your FAFSA which determines your eligibility for need-based federal, state, or institutional aid.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is used for the following semesters:
• Fall 2025 • Spring 2026 • Summer 2026
SCHOLARSHIPS
Apply for scholarships as soon as you are admitted to UHCL. Below are some scholarships to consider. Be mindful of deadlines that vary from year to year and for different scholarships. Learn more about each scholarship’s eligibility requirements and how to apply at www.uhcl.edu/scholarships.
New Hawk Scholarship
Amount: Varies, up to full ride
Application deadlines: Fall Priority: Feb. 1; Fall Final: April 1.
Renewable scholarship for freshmen from a minimum of $1,000 up to a full ride to cover fees, books, and housing. Must be a Texas resident and rank in top 15% or have minimum SAT score of 1,170 or minimum ACT score of 24.
President's Excellence Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Application deadline: Fall Final: April 1.
Renewable $3,000 scholarship for recent high school graduates with a 3.5 GPA minimum. Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
Hawk Advantage Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Application deadline: Fall Final: April 1.
Renewable need-based scholarships for up to $2,500 for incoming freshmen who are Texas residents and who have unmet need. Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
Automatic Transfer Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
No application required.
Renewable $2,000 scholarship for new first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students who are transferring from a college or university. Requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 and enrollment in at least 12 credit hours.
Cullen Leadership Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application deadlines: Fall Final: May 31.
Renewable $2,000 scholarship for new degree-seeking undergraduate and transfer students. Must have received an associate degree from a Houston/Galveston area community college within 12 months. Requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and enrollment in at least 12 credit hours.
Hawk Scholars Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application deadlines: Final Fall: May 15; Final Spring: Nov. 1.
For incoming Non-Texas resident undergraduate students; or international undergraduate students. Requires a minimum 3.0 GPA as recalculated by UHCL.
Merit-based scholarships – funds awarded based upon academic achievements.
Need-based scholarships – funds awarded on financial need determined by the FAFSA.
Scholarships are gift aid that does not need to be to be paid back!
GRANTS
Grants are funded by the federal government, the state, or by UHCL. Unlike merit-based scholarships, grants are need-based and help students who might not be able to afford an education.
Learn more at www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types/grants
Need-Based Aid Description
UHCL Hawk Promise
Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
UHCL guarantees tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by grant and scholarship assistance for new in-state freshmen with family incomes at or below $65,000 and who meet certain academic and financial need requirements. Submit FAFSA by April 1.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to qualifying students who demonstrate financial need on their FAFSA.
Must have exceptional financial need. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority. Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guaranteed free tuition
TEACH Grant
TEXAS Grant
Up to $7,395 (for 2024-25)
$100 - $2,000
Education majors with a 3.25 GPA (high school or college). Learn more at www.studentaid.gov Up to $3,772
Students who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in an accredited Texas high school.
Up to $16,161
Grants are considered gift aid, or free aid, and do not need to be paid back!
UNDERGRADUATE LOANS
Loans are aid you must pay back. Here are some definitions to help you understand the different types of loans available.
• Subsidized loans are need-based direct loans with a fixed interest rate. Interest does not begin to accrue until the loan goes into repayment.
• Unsubsidized loans are non-need-based, direct loans with fixed interest rates. Interest starts accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed, so you will owe more than the original loan amount by the time repayment starts.
Below are loans to consider. Find repayment and interest rate information at www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types/loans.
Loan Description Yearly Award
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
Federal Parents PLUS for Undergraduate Students
Based on need from FAFSA. Payments start six months from the last date of enrollment. Interest is subsidized by the government while in school. Small loan fee. Must be degree seeking.
Available to all qualified FAFSA applicants. Not need-based. Payments start six months after the last date of enrollment. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Small loan fee. 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. Learn more at www.studentloans.gov.
Fr.: *$3,500
So.: $4,500
Jr. and Sr : $5,500
Fr.: *$5,500
So.: $6,500
Jr. and Sr.: $7,500 in combined subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans
Up to cost of attendance minus financial aid
Fr. = Freshman, So. = Sophomore, Jr. = Junior, Sr. = Senior *Up to for Freshman
OTHER TYPES OF AID
Work study is a great opportunity for you to work and earn money while expanding your education. Yearly awards can vary and are not guaranteed. Learn more about work-study at UHCL by visiting www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types/work-study.
Need-Based Description
Federal Work Study
Need-based campus employment available to students who demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA
Campus Employment
Non-need-based employment available to all UHCL students. FAFSA is not required.
Fund your education journey.
Once you know the total aid you qualify for, use the following tuition information to determine your net cost to become a UHCL Hawk.
TUITION AND FEES
* These are the estimated costs of attending UHCL. The actual cost may vary by person.
**Tuition and required fees are based on 12 credit hours of undergraduate coursework during the 2024-2025 calendar year. The actual tuition and required fees can be found at www.uhcl.edu/finaid
***Room/Board are based on suite-style double room and the required dining dollar meal plan per semester based on the 2024-2025 calendar year.
CALCULATING YOUR NET COST PAYMENT OPTIONS
Your tuition payment is not due at the time of registration. Be sure to make the full payment before the payment deadline or an initial payment if you’ve selected a payment plan.
For more information about payment options, plans, or deadlines, visit www.uhcl.edu/student-business-services.
Questions?
We are ready to remove barriers and help you reach your full potential. Our experts will answer questions and help you understand federal aid, scholarships, costs, and payment options.
Student Financial Aid Office
281-283-2480 | uhcl_fao@uhcl.edu
Admissions Office
281-283-2500 | admissions@uhcl.edu
Military and Veteran Services
281-283-3071 | vso@uhcl.edu, uhcl.edu/veteran-services
Student Business Services
281-283-2170 | sbs@uhcl.edu
Welcome Center
281-283-2722 | welcomecenter@uhcl.edu
Federal Student Aid Information Center
800-433-3243 | studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
