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 (FAFSA)

The 2023-2024 FAFSA application opened October 1, 2022.

File your FAFSA by the first of January for the upcoming fall semester. This ensures that we receive your FAFSA results by the priority deadline of January 15.

• Online: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• By Phone: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

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 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 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 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. Click "Accept/Decline" Awards

Please remember that you do not have to accept all of your loan offered. Once you click accept you can then edit the amount you would like to accept. The amount accepted will automatically split evenly between Fall and Spring terms. Financial Aid is applied to the student account one week prior to the term. Refunds are sent to students BankMobile Vibe account 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, e-mail us at uhcl_fao@uhcl.edu or come by the office.