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Costs & Financial Aid

Grants

A grant is a financial award that does not need to be repaid. In other words, it's free money! Grants are typically awarded based on your financial need, unlike scholarships, which are usually based on academic excellence.

Grants are available through federal, state, private, and university sources. Funds are limited, so apply early! You must submit the FAFSA and all other documents by the priority deadline of Jan. 15, unless otherwise indicated, to get maximum consideration for grant funding.

For 2024-25, the FAFSA and TASFA will have a delayed release anticipated for December 2023. Due to this delayed release, the priority deadline will be March 15 for the 2024-25 aid year.

Virtual Advising is now available

Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office by emailing sfa@central.uh.edu or calling (713-743-1010, option 5). Financial Aid Advisors are also available by virtual drop-in advising (via the Navigate app) to help you with questions about your financial aid process. 

Please note: Certain grant award amounts may be adjusted based on actual enrollment as of the Official Reporting Day (ORD) on the 12th day of class.

Federal Pell Grant Program
Amount: $7,395 
The Federal Pell Grant Program, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant Program is considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources may be added. The maximum Federal Pell Grant Program award for the 2023-24 award year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024) is $7,395. The maximum award can change each award year and is dependent upon program funding. Actual award amounts are determined by EFC and enrollment status. You can receive the Federal Pell Grant Program for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years). You may not receive Federal Pell Grant Program funds from more than one school at a time.

Federal Pell Grant Program funds initially offered to you are based on an assumed full-time (12 hours) enrollment. The amount you will actually receive is based on the number of hours you are enrolled in, as of the 12th day of class; the information you provided on the FAFSA, and your lifetime limits already utilized. Your Federal Pell Grant Program funds will be prorated to reflect your actual enrolled hours after the 12th class day. 
 
Eligibility Requirements:
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)
Amount: $100 to $2,000 per year
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Schools are allocated a limited amount of funding. Just like the Federal Pell Grant Program, FSEOG does not have to be repaid.
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid
  • Enroll in at least 6 credit hours each semester to receive funds initially offered
  • Grant will be prorated for enrollment in 1-5 credit hours 
  • Be an undergraduate pursuing a first Bachelor's degree
  • Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $0, and be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Must meet priority deadline of Jan. 15
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Amount: Up to $4,000 per year
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for:
  • Graduate students,
  • Undergraduate students, and
  • Students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher credential program
These students sign an agreement with the US Department of Education indicating their intentions to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. For students who do not meet the teaching obligation, the grant converts to a loan with interest accrued to the date of disbursement. Students may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8,000 for graduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced.
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
Amount: Varies 
This program, administered by the state of Texas, provides assistance to students with financial need who are seeking a first Bachelor's degree, a graduate degree or professional degree. Texas residents and nonresidents who meet the priority deadline of Jan. 15 are eligible. 
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Complete the FAFSA or TASFA and submit all requested documents by the priority deadline 
  • Meet the eligibility requirements for federal or state aid 
  • Demonstrate financial need 
  • Enroll in at least three-quarter-time (9 credit hours for undergraduates/professionals, 7 credit hours for graduates) through the 12th class day each term 
  • Be pursuing a first bachelor's degree, a graduate degree, or professional degree 
  • Register with selective service, or be exempt 

What is the Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)?

Towards Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant
Students who complete the Recommended, Foundation, or Distinguished Achievement High School Program in an accredited Texas high school and meet certain eligibility requirements are automatically considered for this state-sponsored program. The priority deadline for the TEXAS Grant is Jan. 15.

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Year (IY) awards:
Priority consideration is given to students who are admitted into the University and apply for financial aid by Jan. 15, meet the basic requirements for TEXAS Grant and additional requirements in at least 2 of the following 4 areas:
  • Advanced Academic Program – 12 hours of college credit (dual credit or AP courses), complete the Distinguished Achievement Program
  • TSI Readiness – Meet the Texas Success Initiative assessment thresholds or qualify for an exemption
  • Class Standing – Graduate in the top 1/3 of the HS graduating class or have a B average on a 4.0 grading scale
  • Advanced Math – Complete at least one math course beyond Algebra II

Students who meet the requirements for priority consideration must be awarded before any other IY eligible students. If funding is available after all priority students are awarded, awarding will begin for students meeting the basic requirements.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Initial Year awards:
  • Classification as a resident of Texas
  • Graduation from a Texas public or private high school with the recommended, distinguished or foundation curriculum designation
  • Registration with selective service, or exemption
  • No felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance
  • Not be more than 30 days delinquent on an obligation to pay child support (see TFC, 231.006)  
  • Demonstration of financial need
  • Federal Pell Grant Program eligible
  • Enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester of award within 16 months after high school graduation 
    • Awards may be prorated based on hours and/or total tuition and fees
Due to funding priorities defined by the State of Texas, UH has historically been unable to fund TEXAS Grants for transfer students.
Eligibility Requirements for Continuing TEXAS Grant recipients:
  • Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.50
  • Complete at least 24 semester credit hours per academic year
  • Enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester of award
    • Awards may be prorated based on hours and/or total tuition and fees
  • Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
  • Not be more than 30 days delinquent on an obligation to pay child support (see TFC, 231.006)  
  • Eligibility ends when one of the following has been met:
    • 150 credit hours (90 credit hours if initially awarded based on an associate’s degree) have been paid for by the grant
    • 5 years or 10 semesters have passed since the initial award (3 years or 6 semesters if initially awarded based on an associate’s degree)
    • An undergraduate degree has been granted

TEXAS Grant Hardship Provision Policy:

The State of Texas requires that students who receive the TEXAS Grant must meet and maintain all of the following renewal requirements:

  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Enroll in at least 9 credit hours per semester of award
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.50
  • Complete/Pass 24 credit hours in an academic year
Students not currently meeting eligibility requirements may complete and submit the
TEXAS Grant Review Form
  • If summer grades are required for review, they are reviewed after summer grades have posted (end of August).

Hardships circumstances which are reviewed include, but not limited to:

  • Medical/Illness
  • Financial Difficulty
  • Emotional/Extreme Stress
  • Family Issues

Hardship requests are reviewed and approved by the program coordinator.  In the event the coordinator is unable to determine a decision, the hardship is forwarded to the supervisor over TEXAS Grant.

Approved hardships are awarded TEXAS Grant for the upcoming year.  The appropriate RY award is placed on their account.

TEXAS Grant Review forms are reviewed in the order received and subject to fund availability.

What is the initial award for the TEXAS Grant?

What is the TEXAS Grant?

UH Scholars' Grant
Amount: $500 to $1,000 per year
The University of Houston Scholars’ Grant was introduced in the 2020-2021 award year. This grant is awarded to incoming freshmen students who have both meritorious academic credentials and financial need. It is also renewable for the subsequent years of your undergraduate studies (for a total of 8 undergraduate semesters, or 10 semesters for architecture students), provided you meet the renewal criteria.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Apply for admission to UH for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation by the Nov. 15 priority deadline
  • Be an Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient for the incoming fall class
  • Complete the FAFSA and submit all requested documents by the January 15 priority deadline
  • Meet the eligibility requirements to receive a Federal Pell Grant
  • Enroll in at least 12 credit hours at UH each fall and spring semester
  • Be an undergraduate pursuing a first Bachelor's degree
  • Be a Texas resident
Renewable Requirements:
Undergraduate Institutional Grant
This UH program awards grants to undergraduate students with exceptional need who meet the priority deadline of Jan. 15. Students that began attendance at UH prior to the Fall 2020 must be enrolled and maintain at least 9 hours enrollment each Fall and Spring term to be eligible for this award. Students that began attendance beginning Fall 2020 and thereafter, must be enrolled and maintain at least 12 hours enrollment each Fall and Spring term to be eligible for this award. Eligibility is based on financial need and funding availability, which are subject to change from year to year.

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