Skip to main content

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Cougar hand sign

Need help paying for college?

Thanks to generous donors, the University of Houston College of Education offers numerous scholarships. To demonstrate financial need for these scholarships, we highly recommend all applicants:

  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Note: The form, which is now open, has been streamlined to make it easier to complete. 
  • Students not eligible to apply for FAFSA may complete the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid). 
  • If you do not fill out the FAFSA or TAFSA, you cannot be considered for the College’s need-based scholarships.
  • Explore financial aid options offered through UH for undergraduate and graduate students.

College of Education Scholarships

Key Dates

  • The scholarship application is closed. The application typically opens in January.

(Please read ALL the information below before applying.)

Application Process

  • ELIGIBILITY: Scholarship applicants must be current or admitted UH students.
  • Complete the online application (which includes basic questions about your major and interests).
  • Upload the following required information:
    • a one-page narrative
    • an unofficial transcript
    • a résumé (not required for incoming freshmen)
    • contact information for two references
  • Note: You only submit ONE application and upload ONE set of materials.

Step 1: Review

Review this webpage and the FAQs to understand the application process, and write down key dates. You also may review the list of scholarships to familiarize yourself with the criteria.

scholarship2.pngStep 2: Prepare

You only have to submit ONE application and upload ONE set of materials. The Scholarship Committee will consider your application for all applicable scholarships.

Prepare the following materials: 

  1. A written narrative
     (one page typed, 12-point font, single-spaced and saved as a PDF)

Answer the question: “What makes you a strong candidate for a UH College of Education scholarship?” In your response, you must include the following points: 
  • Why did you choose your major/program?
  • What is your intended career?
  • What are your professional goals and aspirations after graduation?
  • Describe how you have exhibited leadership (e.g., on class/team project, in extracurricular activities, in school clubs, in community or service organizations, etc.).
  • Note: Applicants’ written narrative will be evaluated on content, organization, grammar and spelling.

The UH Writing Center offers one-on-one appointments for assistance with the scholarship application and essay. You can make an appointment online. For additional questions about the Writing Center, please contact Lorinda Robb at lrobb@uh.edu.

Optional supporting documents

Certain scholarships require additional submissions:
  • The Leslie and Kim Wheless Scholarship for aspiring teachers requires an additional essay of one page or less sharing your vision of what future students will gain in your class and how you will help them become better citizens.
  • The Norman I. Kagan Scholarship for doctoral students in the Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences requires a five-page abstract detailing the nature of your dissertation research.

  2. References and contact information

You must provide contact information for two professional references, who will be asked to complete a recommendation form:
  • Current students/new transfer students: At least one reference must be a college professor, advisor, academic mentor or staff member. Note: To protect the integrity of the review process, current members of the Scholarship Committee may not be used as references.
  • Incoming freshmen: You are not required to submit references affiliated with a college.

Please contact your intended references to request permission prior to listing their contact information on the applicationBe sure to confirm the correct names and email addresses. Also, share the application submission deadlineIt is your responsibility to follow up with your references to ensure they complete and submit the form.   

On the application, submit each reference’s name, title, organization and email address. Your references will be emailed a link to the confidential recommendation form and must submit the form directly back to the Scholarship Committee.

  3. A professional résumé or CV

You will need to submit a professional résumé or CV that includes relevant work experience, community involvement, awards and affiliations.

Note: Incoming freshmen are NOT required to submit a résumé.

  4. An unofficial transcript

  • Current students: Go to your account at AccessUH. Select myUH, Academic Records and then UH Official Transcript on the left menu to download an unofficial transcript.
  • Incoming freshmen or new transfer students: Request an unofficial transcript from your high school or college that includes the most recent completed semester.

  5. Complete FAFSA/TASFA

  • To demonstrate financial need for various scholarships, the College of Education highly recommends that you complete the online FAFSA; students not eligible for FAFSA may complete the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid). Note: The FAFSA has been streamlined to make it easier to complete. 

Step 3: Submit required documents online (the application is closed)

  • Answer all the questions on the online application (the application is closed). 
  • Upload the required documents in the “Upload Documents” tab.
  • All required documents must be submitted for your application to be considered complete.
  • In order to complete the application, review your answers to all questions before clicking the SUBMIT button.

Questions?

  • See answers to frequently asked questions.
  • For assistance, please complete this brief form to submit a question. A member of our scholarship team will get back to you Monday through Friday. Due to a high volume of inquiries, please allow 48 hours for a response.  

Notice of Award and Requirements

Notification of scholarship awards is typically announced in April, but may be delayed in 2024 due to FAFSA changes. All applicants will receive a notification via email from the Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship recipients should receive the first disbursement of funds within 30 days from the start of the fall semester, contingent upon the following:

  1. Recipient has completed the requirement of writing a thank you letter and submitting a photo by the deadline listed in the award letter.
  2. Recipient still meets the scholarship criteria and is in good standing with the University at the start of the fall semester.

These terms are non-negotiable. Students who have received notification of award but do not meet the terms of agreement above will not receive their disbursement.

Additional requirements may include attending a scholarship reception or meeting the donor during the academic year of award.

Additional UH Scholarships

UH College Assistance Migrant Program

The UH College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides first-year university students who have migrant or agricultural work backgrounds with the tools and support to begin their undergraduate studies at the University of Houston. The program provides incoming freshman with academic, social and financial support. Please visit the program webpage for eligibility and application information.

Asian American Studies Academic Excellence Scholarship

The UH Asian American Studies Center provides scholarships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who want to pursue educational and research opportunities in Asian and Asian American Studies. Students who minor in Asian American Studies, complete AAMS 2300 and/or AAMS 4300, demonstrate academic excellence and have a GPA of 2.7 or higher are eligible to apply. The scholarship application is now open and closes Feb. 28, 2024. Visit the Asian American Studies scholarship page for more information.

UH Foundation Scholarships

The UH Foundation scholarship includes several scholarships for College of Education undergraduate students. Applicants must be enrolled in the UH College of Education full time. The application will open on March 18, 2024 with a deadline of April 12, 2024. Please visit the UH Foundation Scholarship page for more information and to apply online.

University of Houston Alumni Association Foundation Scholarships

The University of Houston Alumni Association Foundation has scholarships available for undergraduate and graduate students. The application opened Jan. 2, 2024 and closes April 15, 2024. Visit the UHAA Scholarship webpage for more information.

Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

Prospective and current UH students who want to be teachers are eligible to apply for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. The application typically opens in October. Please visit the Charles Butt Foundation webpage for more information.