Apply for Aid at UHCL

With nearly two out of every three students at University of Houston-Clear Lake receiving some form of financial aid, it's safe to say that we believe in helping people achieve their educational dreams. We also believe that applying for important financial aid shouldn't be a complex and frustrating process.

Financial Aid Made Simple

Applying for financial aid from UHCL, the State of Texas and/or the federal government is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1st for the upcoming fall semester to ensure you meet the February 15 priority deadline.

• To create or update your FSA ID: FSA ID
• To apply for FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Select the appropriate FAFSA:
  
  • The 2025-26 FAFSA is used for Fall 25, Spring 26, and Summer 26
  • The 2024-25 FAFSA is used for Summer 2025.  Although you can no longer submit a new 2024-25 FAFSA, you can still make changes to an existing FAFSA if needed.
  • The 2026-27 FAFSA will be available October 1, 2025, and will be used for the academic year beginning Fall 2026.
• UHCL School Code:  011711
• Submission issues/questions: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

FAFSA is available to US Citizens, permanent residents, and certain other eligible non-citizens.  Learn about which immigration statuses make you an eligible noncitizen.

Other Financial Aid Processes

Verification Process

Verification is a process that all universities participating in federal aid programs have to complete. If the Central Processing System (CPS) selects you, you must complete verification in order to qualify for financial aid. If you are selected, we will send you an email requesting additional documents. Using these documents, we compare your data to the information on your FAFSA, and make corrections, if needed.

Visit financial aid FAQ's for detailed information about the verification process.

Professional Judgment Process

The Student Financial Aid Office recognizes the information used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) may not accurately reflect the current financial situation for individual students and/or families. In this situation, we encourage students to submit documentation to make any necessary adjustments, through a process called Special Circumstances.

Special Circumstances

Some examples that may allow for a Special Circumstance would be (including but not limited to):

• Loss or reduction of employment, wages, or unemployment compensation.
• Loss of untaxed income or benefits e.g. Social Security benefits or child support.
• Separation or divorce.

If you have extenuating or unusual circumstances that you feel may qualify, please reach out to the Student Financial Aid Office.

Adjustment to Cost of Attendance

Your cost of attendance (COA) includes expenses for tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses. Some students may have circumstances that may warrant an increase to their COA.  Examples of such situations include:

• One-time purchase of computer for educational use
• Childcare expenses for student’s dependent child
• Longer than average commute to course location
• Actual tuition exceeds budget
• Costs associated with a student’s disability

COA adjustments cannot be made for lifestyle choices such as mortgage, car payments, credit card debts, or other discretionary expenses. A change to COA may result in additional loan funding, including PLUS or alternative loans. Receipts or other supporting documentation will be required.

If you have a circumstance that could merit an allowable increase in your cost of attendance, contact your financial aid counselor.

Accepting Your Financial Aid

Students should view and accept their Financial Aid Offers through E-Services.

1. Log in to E-Services
2. Click on the "Financial Aid" tile
3. Select "View Financial Aid"
4. Select "Change" to update year if needed
5. Select "Accept/Decline"
6. Select "Edit" to accept or decline each offer from the drop down list
7. Click Submit

Please remember that loans are optional, and you do not have to accept all of your loan offered. Once you click accept you can click the box under "reduce' then edit the amount you would like to accept. The amount accepted will automatically split evenly between Fall and Spring terms. Financial Aid is disbursed (applied) to the student account beginning one week prior to your first class day. Refunds are sent to students via their selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution powered by BMTX, Inc., beginning the first week of classes.

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Need Assistance?

If you need additional assistance or information as you apply for financial aid at UHCL, we encourage you to review our FAQs. You can also call us at 281-293-2480, email us at uhcl_fao@uhcl.edu or come by the office.