Fewer obstacles mean
Your education should be full of inspiring challenges, but paying for it should not be one of them. As a current Hawk, the University of Houston-Clear Lake offers a variety of options to help you continue to fund your academic journey.
Some types of aid are available only to undergraduate students.
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, first-served basis. You may still be awarded if you apply after the February 15 priority deadline, but funds are limited the later you apply.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA application is available as of Nov. 21, 2024. Families may use their
Complete the FAFSA online.
Complete the FAFSA application online at www.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 parents, if applicable, can apply for an FSAID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
What happens after you apply?
The U.S. Department of Education uses data from your FAFSA to generate and send your Student Aid Index (SAI) to UHCL. Your SAI determines your eligibility for need-based federal, state, or institutional aid. Your SAI will be shown on your FAFSA Submission Summary. The difference between the cost of attendance and your SAI is your financial need and financial aid eligibility. It is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor the amount of federal student aid you will receive.
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 via E-Services.
Dates and deadlines
2025-2026 FAFSA Available Online – Nov. 21, 2024
2025-2026 FAFSA Priority Deadline – Feb. 15, 2025
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID - TASFA
How to apply for TASFA.
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is a state application for students classified as a Texas resident or Texas residents who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA.
The 2025-2026 TASFA application is available as of Nov. 21, 2024. Families may use their 2023 tax information to complete the application.
• The 2025-2026 TAFSA is used for the following semesters:
- Fall 2025
- Spring 2026
- Summer 2026
• 2025-2026 TAFSA application deadline: June 30, 2026
Complete the TAFSA online.
You can complete the TASFA online at www.highered.texas.gov/students-families/tasfa. You must create an account with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to submit an online TASFA.
Complete the TAFSA paper version.
You can download the paper version of the TASFA from www.highered.texas.gov/students-families /tasfa. Submit your completed application to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
What happens after you apply?
Once you submit the TASFA, a financial aid counselor will use the data from the TASFA application to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI). 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 the amount of financial aid you will receive.
Financial Aid Offer Letter
You will receive your financial aid offer email once you have been admitted to UHCL and filed your TASFA. After you receive your offer letter, you can view your award information and accept pending financial aid offers online via E-Services.
Dates and deadlines
2025-2026 TAFSA Available – Nov. 21, 2024 • 2025-2026 TAFSA Priority Deadline – Feb. 15, 2025
Let’s make college affordable — together.
Learn about the different types of aid available to help you fund your educational journey and realize your ambitions. Some aid depends on whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, while others are available based on academic achievements or financial need.
Merit-Based Aid
Merit-based funds are awarded to students based on their academic achievements and do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are examples of merit-based aid.
Need-Based Aid
These funds are awarded based on your financial need. Aid can be through grants, work-study programs, and low-interest loans. Your eligibility is determined by information from your Free
SCHOLARSHIPS
As a UHCL student, you can access current and continuing scholarships. Qualifications and requirements are merit based and vary by scholarship and college. 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.
Scholarship applications
Opens: Feb. 1
Deadline to Apply: Feb. 28*
*Some scholarships are open after the February dates. Please check the website and your UHCL email for communications about available scholarships.
Eligibility
Current and continuing students who have attended UHCL for at least one semester are eligible.
Timing
Each academic year, the scholarship application window runs from Feb. 1 through 28.
How to apply
Visit E-Services > Financial Aid > Apply for UHCL Scholarships.
What to expect
UHCL scholarship committees will determine your eligibility for current and continuing scholarships. We will notify you of scholarship eligibility for the upcoming fall and spring semesters during the summer months.
Questions
For scholarship questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid by calling 281-283-2480, emailing uhcl_fao@uhcl.edu, or stopping by our financial aid offices in SSCB, 1.105. You can also learn more about scholarships at www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/current-continuing-students.
Tips for success
• When searching for scholarships in E-Services, save time by filtering the search criteria or simply checking the Show me all scholarships I am eligible for button to see scholarships available to you.
• Have documentation prepared before you apply. Once you click on Apply and submit a scholarship application, you cannot go back and edit or revise that specific scholarship application.
• Reach out to your college for more scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
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 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
Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
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.
Up to $7,395 (for 2024-25)
TEACH Grant
$100 - $2,000
Education majors with a 3.25 GPA (high school or college). Learn more at www.studentaid.gov. Up to $3,772
LOANS
Loans are need-based 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
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
Federal Parents PLUS for Undergraduate Students
Federal Grad PLUS
Private Alternative Loans
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 seeking a degree
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 seeking a degree
Must complete FAFSA. All dependent students. of students. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Loan fees apply. Must be seeking a degree. Learn more at www.uhcl.edu/costsaid/types/loans/plus-loan-under.
Must complete FAFSA. Not need-based. Interest begins after the first disbursement. Loan fees apply. Must be seeking a degree. Learn more at www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/ types/loans/plus-loan-graduate.
Not federally guaranteed. Require certification by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Learn more at www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/ types/loans/alternative.
*Fr. = Freshman, So. = Sophomore, Jr. = Junior, Sr. = Senior *Up to for Freshman
Yearly Award
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
Up to cost of attendance minus financial aid
Up to cost of attendance minus financial aid
Steps to accept a federal loan
• Complete your Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling Loan Entrance Counseling is a tool used to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan(s).
• Agree to the terms of the loan(s) by visiting studentaid.gov/mpn and signing a loan contract called a Master Promissory Note
Not need-based. Parents borrow on behalf
OTHER TYPES OF AID
Work study
Work Study is a great opportunity to work and earn money while expanding your education. Yearly awards can vary and are not guaranteed.
Learn more about need-based work study at UHCL by visiting www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types/work-study.
Eligibility for work study
• Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours per semester.
• You must demonstrate financial need based on your FAFSA.
• Jobs must be part time, either on- or off-campus, with a maximum of 20 hours of work per week.
Jobs4Hawks
Visit Jobs4Hawks to find dozens of full- or part-time jobs and internship opportunities on- and off-campus.
Student Employment 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.
TUITION AND FEES
The cost of attendance is a comprehensive budget comprising tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Tuition and fees are the expenses that you will owe directly to UHCL.
The example below represents the estimated yearly costs for a student attending full time for the 2025-2026 academic year
*Expenses paid directly to UHCL are based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees. Find an updated schedule of tuition and fees 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.
PAYMENT OPTIONS WITH UHCL
Payment is not due at the time of registration. Be sure to make the full payment before the deadline or an initial payment if you’ve selected a payment plan. Review payment dates and deadlines through the semester’s Academic Calendar at www.uhcl.edu/calendar
Remaining costs can be paid through your E-Services account by credit/debit card, e-check, or a variety of other methods, including:
Payment plans by semester
Short-term loan
• 25% down and $25 payment plan fee
• 75% for final installment/payment
Installment plan
• 25% down and $25 payment plan fee
• Remaining three installments/payments of 25% throughout the semester
3rd party
• Texas Tomorrow, Texas Promise, employer vouchers, etc.
Other private scholarships or loans
• Community organizations, schools, foundations, clubs, etc.
Navigating E-Services/Finances
• Account Summary: You will be able to see how much you were charged, any aid or payments, and the account balance.
• Make a Payment: Select your payment method and input your details.
• Charges Due: Shows you how much you owe and when it is due. You can view your balance and payment deadlines if you have selected a payment plan.
Financial Aid checklist.
Review the following information after submitting your FAFSA/TAFSA.
Financial aid to-do list
Review your to-do list in E-Services. You may need to submit additional items before eligibility can be determined or before aid can be awarded.
Verification process
All universities with federal aid programs must complete the verification process. If the Central Processing System (CPS) selects you, you must complete verification to qualify for financial aid. We will email you requesting additional documents if you are selected. Using the additional documents, we compare your data to the information on your FAFSA and make corrections if needed.
Accepting aid
Using these steps, students should view and accept their financial aid offers through E-Services. Log in to E-Services.
1.Click on the Financial Aid tile
2.Select View Financial Aid
3.Select Change to update the year if needed
4.Select Accept/Decline
5.Select Edit to accept or decline each offer from the drop-down list
6.Click Submit
What to expect
The expected time frame for the release of awards each semester is:
Financial aid disbursements are applied to your outstanding balance beginning a week before classes start each semester.
Refunds
Financial aid refunds begin during the first week of classes each semester.
BankMobile
After financial aid is applied to your outstanding balance, any remaining funds will be transferred to your BankMobile account. UHCL will mail you instructions to set up your preference on how you’d like to receive any remaining funds, such as to your bank account, or to have a check mailed to you.
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.
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 (FASFA) www.studentaid.gov
Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) www.studentaid.gov
Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note www.studentaid.gov