UHCL Financial Aid Guide 2020-2021

INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

FINANCIAL AID GUIDE 2020-2021 1

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.

$3.6 million awarded in university and endowed scholarships in 2019-20

76%

of uhcl students received financial assistance

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

Fall 2020

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.

Submit for FAFSA no later than Jan. 1, 2021 to be considered for the most need-based aid – and to ensure the results reach us by our Jan. 15 priority deadline.

The 2021-2022 FAFSA will be available Oct. 1, 2020.

Families may use their 2019 tax information to complete the application. Note that some financial aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Complete the FAFSA Online Complete the FAFSA application online at fafsa.ed.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.

Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool when completing the FAFSA to help ensure your information is accurate. It saves time, too. Learn more at studentaid.gov/irsdrt.

UHCL FAFSA CODE:

011711

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 Oct. 1 and the priority deadline is Jan. 15. 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 “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC) to UHCL. Your EFC will be shown on your Student Aid Report (SAR). The difference between the cost of attendance and your EFC is your financial need. Your EFC 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.

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

TYPES OF AID

FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER

Need-Based Aid

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

These funds are awarded based on your financial need. Awards can be in the form of grants, workstudy 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.

DATES AND DEADLINES FAFSA Available Online October 1, 2020

FAFSA Priority Deadline January 15, 2021 3

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

SCHOLARSHIP New Hawk Scholarship (Merit-based)

Hawk Advantage Scholarship (Need-based)

Automatic Transfer Scholarship (Merit-based)

AMOUNT $1,000 to Full-ride

$2,500 per year

ELIGIBILITY

HOW TO APPLY

New freshmen must rank in the top 15% of high school class, or score 1170 SAT or 24 ACT, and be a Texas resident. Renewable up to three years with a 3.0 GPA.

Priority deadline is Nov. 15th 2020. Final application deadline is Feb. 1, 2021.

New freshmen who have applied for Final deadline is Feb. 1, the 2021-2022 FAFSA or TASFA and is 2021. determined to have unmet need. Must attend at least 12 hours per semester.

Renewable up to three years with a 2.5 GPA.

$1,000 per semester

Newly admitted degree-seeking UHCL student, hold a transfer GPA of 2.75 or higher, enroll in 12 hours per semester and be transferring to UHCL. Renewal available for three additional semesters if criteria is met.

Apply to UHCL as a transfer student and your application will be automatically submitted.

Hawk Scholars Scholarship (Merit-based)

$1,000 per year

New non-resident undergraduate and new graduate degree-seeking, enroll in 6 hours per semester, have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Renewal available for three additional semesters with 3.0 GPA.

Fall 2021: Priority deadline is April 15, 2021 and final deadline is May 15, 2021.

Spring 2022: Priority deadline is Sept. 15, 2021 and final deadline is Nov. 1, 2021.

Mechanical Engineering Scholarship (Merit-based)

$1,500 per year

New freshmen must rank in top 25% of high school class or score 1170 SAT or 24 ACT or have a high school GPA of 3.25.

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 and complete 30 hours each academic year.

Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2021.

$500 per semester (undergraduate)

Student in the required program can receive a scholarship just for completing the required hours per semester.

Must be enrolled in required hours by census of each term.

Full-time to Finish Scholarship (Undergraduate and Graduate Eligible) Outside Scholarships (Non-UHCL)

$800 per semester (graduate)

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

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Deadlines based on scholarship requirements.

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 LOAN

AMOUNT

ELIGIBILITY

HOW TO APPLY

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.

Submit FAFSA

Up to $5,500 (Fr.) $6,500 (So.) $7,500 (Jr. and Sr.) in combined Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

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.

Submit FAFSA

Federal Parents PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

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.

Submit FAFSA and apply at studentloans.gov

Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate Students

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

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

Submit FAFSA and apply at studentloans.gov

Private Alternative Loans

Up to the cost of attendance minus financial aid

Not need-based. Student loans made through a lending institution. Normally requires a cosigner.

Loan features, interests rates and payment terms vary by applicant.

Search for lenders online at elmselect.com

Federal Subsidized Direct Loan

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

Up to $3,500 (Fr.) $4,500 (So.) $5,500 (Jr. and Sr.)

What’s the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?

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

Grants GRANT Federal Pell Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

AMOUNT Up to $6,345 (for 2020-21) $100 - $2,000

ELIGIBILITY

HOW TO APPLY

Based on need from FAFSA.

Submit FAFSA

Based on need from FAFSA. First come, first served.

Limited funds.

Submit FAFSA

TEACH

Up to $3,772

Education majors with a 3.25 GPA (high school or college). Must meet post-graduation requirements or it reverts to an Unsubsidized Direct Loan.

Submit FAFSA. Visit teachgrant.ed.gov for more information

TEXAS

Up to $9,348

Students who complete the Recommended, Foundation or Distinguished Achievement High School Program in an accredited Texas high school.

Submit FAFSA. Priority deadline is Jan. 15.

Tuition and mandatory fees

Guaranteed Free Tuition for New Freshmen Starting Fall 2020 with Family Income (AGI) up to $65,000.

Submit FAFSA and meet eligibility or renewal criteria.

Hawk Promise

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TUITION AND COSTS 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 2020-2021 academic year.

Undergraduate Resident

Undergraduate Out-of-State

Direct Expenses

Direct Expenses

Tuition/Fees* (12 hours per semester)

$7,340

Tuition/Fees*

$20,618

Room/Board** (not with parent)

$10,820

Room/Board** (not with parent)

$10,820

Total cost per semester

$18,160

Total cost per semester

$31,438

Graduate Resident

Graduate Out-of-State

Direct Expenses

Direct Expenses

Tuition/Fees* (9 hours per semester)

$9,842

Tuition/Fees*

$19,256

Room/Board** (not with parent)

$10,820

Room/Board** (not with parent)

$10,820

Total cost per semester

$20,662

Total cost per semester

$30,076

*Expenses paid directly to UHCL based on 2020-2021 tuition and fees. An updated schedule of tuition and fees can be found at www.uhcl.edu/sbs.

6 FINANCIAL AID GUIDE

FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST

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 fafsa.ed.gov Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) fsaid.ed.gov Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note www.studentloans.gov

STEP 1: APPLY FOR ADMISSION Complete the ApplyTexas.org application.

Certain financial aid requires students to be admitted before aid can be awarded.

Apply early!

STEP 2: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID BY JAN. 1 Submit your FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov no later than Jan. 1 to be considered for the most need-based financial aid and to ensure the results reach us by the Jan. 15 priority deadline.

STEP 3: 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

Indirect Expenses* Books/Supplies

$1,316

Misc./Transportation

$8,817

Loan Fees Total cost (Texas residents)

$129 $10,262

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.

*These are estimated costs of attending UHCL. Actual cost may vary by person.

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office of student financial aid 2700 bay area blvd. houston, tx 77058 281-283-2480

WWW.UHCL.EDU/COSTS-AID

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