Scholarships
Looking for ways to fund your education? If you can demonstrate academic excellence and leadership, you may qualify for a UH scholarship at the University of Houston. Here’s a look at the options. You also may want to explore scholarships from outside sources by browsing websites like FastWeb and Collegeboard. Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office.
University-Funded Scholarships for Freshmen
The University funds several different scholarships for incoming freshmen with awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,500 per year. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic credentials as measured by high school performance and standardized test scores. Award criteria vary from one scholarship to another, but to be eligible for any university-funded freshman scholarship, you should have accomplished the following:
Graduated from a high school that is accredited by the Texas Education Agency and/or the Appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges.
Applied for admission at UH for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
Be a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Temporary Resident Card (form I-688 or I-688A) as provided by the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986.
Unconditionally accepted for admissions to UH by February 1st to meet priority deadline. Please note that this is the priority deadline and scholarships will continue to be awarded as long as funds are available.
Some scholarships require a separate application; for others, you’ll be automatically considered once you’ve submitted your application for admission. University-funded scholarships for incoming freshmen include:
- Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Amount: $3,000 to $6,500 per year
Qualifications: Entering freshmen who rank in the top 20% of their high school graduating class and who score 1100 or above on the SAT, or 24 and above on the ACT
- National Merit Scholarship Finalist
- Amount: Cost of tuition, required fees, room, board, and a $250 per semester book stipend
Qualifications: National Merit Scholarship Finalists who select UH as their first choice in accordance with the rules and deadlines established by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)
- Achiever’s Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000 (non-renewable)
Qualifications: Entering freshmen who rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class
- Cullen Leadership Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000 per year (in addition to the Academic Excellence Scholarship)
Qualifications:Students who have been awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship and have a completed Admissions application may compete for the Cullen Leadership scholarship. Students must submit list of leadership activities. This award will bring an additional $1000 per year, and is renewable for up to four years.
- Highest Ranking High School Graduate
- Amount: Full tuition for two semesters of the first regular session following graduation or $3,000 per year for 4 years.
Qualifications: The highest ranking graduate of each accredited high school in Texas. Applicants must submit certificates from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- Terry Foundation Scholarship
- Qualifications: For graduates from a Texas high school or homeschool who demonstrate financial need; a record of leadership in school and community; and strong academic abilities, as evidenced by grades and SAT scores
- Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
- Qualifications: This federally funded, state-administered program recognizes exceptional high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in higher education. Byrd scholars need to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA before receiving the award each semester. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board notifies the scholarship recipients.
Undergraduate Research Scholarships
The University of Houston encourages undergraduates to participate in research with a faculty mentor. In addition to programs offered through various departments and colleges, two programs currently award a stipend for qualified students from all majors to engage in a mentored research experience.
- Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS)
- Amount: $1000 per semester of research
Qualifications: Any junior or senior who has either successfully completed at least 12 hours in residence at UH with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 OR who has completed fewer than 12 hours in residence at UH but has a 3.5 cumulative GPA on all college level course work taken at UH or elsewhere is eligible to apply. Applicants must have earned at least 60 credits by the beginning of the mentorship period and must enroll and maintain a minimum of 12 hours in the semester of the award unless they are graduating that semester. Students who have participated in the PURS program at UH in a prior semester are ineligible to reapply.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
- Amount: $2,800 for research
Qualifications: The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program at the University of Houston (SURF-UH) seeks to provide funding for rising UH sophomores, juniors and seniors to participate in a focused, full-time, 10-week research experience under the direction of UH faculty. Current freshmen that will be sophomores in fall 2008 are eligible to apply for the fellowship. However, students graduating in spring and summer 2008 are not eligible for this program, nor are students who have participated in the SURF program before at UH. No course credit will be offered for participation in this program, and students who have previously participated in the SURF-UH program are ineligible to reapply.
College-Specific Scholarships
Most colleges at the University of Houston offer scholarships specifically for students in those colleges. To be considered for a college-specific scholarship, submit an application through the appropriate college.
Find out more:
Privately Funded Scholarships
Each year, a number of foundations, corporations, and individuals provide funding for UH scholarships. Some of these privately funded scholarships are designed to support students in a particular discipline or from a specific heritage or geographic region; others are open to students of any major or background. Offerings change often according to availability of funds and the time of the school year.
- Undergraduate Academic Scholarship for Agronomy, Horticulture, or Botany Students
- The Pioneer Unit of The Herb Society of America is offering a $500 award to juniors and seniors studying Agronomy, Horticulture, or Botany. Applicants need to be a Texas resident and attending an accredited four year college or university in Texas.
- Joseph L. & Vivian E. Steele Fund Architectural Scholarship
- The Joseph L. & Vivian E. Steele Fund Architectural Scholarship is intended to assist students who are pursuing an academic program of architecture at the graduate or undergraduate level. The award is based on both merit and financial need. Applicants are invited to submit an initial qualification form, due May 15th, 2008. The Foundation Staff will review the qualification form to determine the student's eligibility. Qualified candidates will be notified of their status and invited to submit a formal application.
- 2008 Monsignor William Broussard Health Career Scholarship Program
- This scholarship encourages Catholics to pursue a career in health. These $1,000 and $500 scholarships are available to Catholic students from the Catholic dioceses in Texas who will be attending an accredited university in Texas as a sophomore, junior, or senior and pursuing a major that will lead to a career in health care. A broad range of health care career paths will be considered, including nursing, occupational or physical therapy, social work, hospital administration, and others. Deadline to apply is June 30th.
- The Journyx "Excellence In Project Accounting Philosophy" Essay Scholarship 2008
- This scholarship is designed to improve the philosophy and the technology of project accounting. One student (graduate or undergraduate) will be awarded this $500 scholarship. Applicants are asked to write an essay of 1,000 words or less, on one of two accounting topics. Only one essay is accepted per person, which will not be returned to the applicant. Also submit an official academic transcript containing the entrant's spring semester grades for the academic year in progress and a copy of entrant's resume that includes e-mail address, campus address and phone number, student ID number, permanent address and phone number, major and expected graduation date. All application materials must be received by email to scholarship@journyx.com by 5:00pm CST on June 1, 2008. See the Complete Official Rules for all the legalese and even more details.
- Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship Program
- The Executive Women International (EWI) ASIST Scholarship Program is for non-traditional students who are entering college for the first time or re-training due to changes in the workforce. Ideal applicants are those that have financial need, are socially, economically, or physically challenged adults, or are responsible for small children. Other eligibility requirements are for the applicant to define career goals and objectives, specify the educational requirements to obtain these goals. To be eligible, you need to utilize re-entry programs available through the university, community, and other agencies and reside within the boundaries of a EWI Chapter.
- Houston Council of the Blind Fall 2008 Scholarship
- The Houston Council of the Blind (HCB) is devoted to the educational ans social needs of the blind and visually impaired. Applicants to the HCB Fall 2008 Scholarship should be those who are blind or legally blind (documentation required), reside in the greater Houston area or surrounding counties, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. To be eligible, you need to attend school full time (minimum of 12 class hours) at a college or vocational school. Click here to learn more about eligibility and application requirements.
- Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship
- The Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarships are intended to assist and reward students who have demonstrated academic potential, leadership, and extracurricular involvement. All students in good academic standing (3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale) who plan to continue their education by entering the third year (junior year) as a full time student (12 credit hours or more) of any college or university are eligible. Applicants pursuing an academic degree directly associated with aviation, aeronautics, or aerospace will be given priority.
- Desk & Derrick Club of Dallas Scholarships for 2008/2009 School Year
- The Desk and Derrick Club of Dallas is offering scholarships to outstanding college students planning a career in Petroleum, Energy and Allied Industries. Funds are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The awards depend on the qualifications and needs of each student. Eligible students are those who are natives of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, show financial need, and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. An official transcript, the Desk and Derrick application, current college tuition invoice and book receipts, and a letter to the committee chairman outlining the student's qualifications and goals are required. See the information sheet for details.
- Houston American Council of the Blind of Texas 2008 Scholarship
- Each year, the American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT) awards scholarships to entering college freshmen, current college students, and students enrolled in vocational or technical programs. Scholarship requirements include documentation of legally blindness, Texas residency, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and acceptance for admission or current enrollment at a college or vocational/trade school. Click here to learn more about eligibility, supporting materials, and application requirements.
- Roswell “Jay” Jennings Bohner Scholarship for Members of TKE 2008-2009
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Deadline: May 16, 2008
This $500 scholarship opportunity is available to current and active members of the University of Houston chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon who are certified sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Applicants must be enrolled in classes full time.
Scholarships for Transfers
Thinking of transferring to UH? If you show promise through academics,
leadership, and/or community involvement, you may qualify for one of these
scholarships:
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
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Amount: $1,200 ($600 per semester), not renewable
Qualifications: Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society members who are transfer students and intend to pursue their first baccalaureate degree at the University of Houston
- Transfer Excellence Scholarship
- Amount: $1000 ($500 per semester), not renewable
Qualifications: Available to 600 newly admitted Transfer students who meet ALL of the requirements. Applicants must hold a permanent residence card or be a U.S. Citizen, must enroll in 12 hours of classes at UH Main Campus, must have 42 transferable hours from a regionally accepted U.S. institution and must have a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.0 point scale).
Other scholarships are available and awarded based on merit, financial need, diversity, or other circumstantial and academic considerations. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on available scholarship opportunities.
Out-of-State Students
Want to pay in-state tuition—but you live out of state? You may be entitled to an out-of-state tuition waiver if you are a:
- Nonresident of the state of Texas AND
- Recipient of UH or individual college scholarships totaling more than $1,000 annually.
The waiver allows you to pay tuition at the same rate as a Texas resident—a savings of thousands per semester. Waivers are limited, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
