University of Houston–Clear Lake Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
- Out-of-state tuition waivers and Texas grant programs
- Honors College perks and key application deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~83%
- Middle 50% ACT: 18–24
- Middle 50% SAT: 980–1180
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.3–3.9
Source: University of Houston–Clear Lake Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Houston–Clear Lake at a Glance
Last verified: October 18, 2025
The University of Houston–Clear Lake offers strong value and flexibility—especially for transfer and high-achieving first-year students. Merit scholarships can stack with the Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver, letting out-of-state students pay in-state tuition when they earn at least $1,000 in institutional aid.
Through its Honors College and targeted awards like the President’s Honors Scholarship, UHCL provides multiple paths to reduce costs while earning a respected University of Houston System degree near NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — UHCL is test-optional through 2026 for most programs and superscores ACT/SAT for scholarship review.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 18–24; SAT: 980–1180 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $11,056/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — out-of-state students receiving $1,000+ in scholarships automatically qualify for in-state tuition under the Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Houston–Clear Lake
| Budget Component (2025–2026) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $9,298 | $25,978 |
| Housing & Meals (On-campus avg.) | $12,642 | $12,642 |
| Total (before aid) | $21,940 | $38,620 |
Assumptions: 30 credit hours for the year (15 per term). UHCL bills per credit hour (no 12–18 “flat” band). Totals shown use UHCL’s 2025–26 standard allowances and an on-campus housing average; living with parent or off-campus will change the total.
This reflects what full-time undergraduates actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans included).
Tuition Waivers & Regional Programs
- Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver: Non-Texas residents who earn $1,000+ in competitive scholarships at UHCL can be billed at the in-state tuition rate for 12 months (renewable if re-awarded).
- Worked example (real savings): Non-resident tuition & fees $25,978 → in-state $9,298 after waiver = about $16,680 saved on tuition/fees for the year.
- Academic Common Market (Graduate Only): UHCL, as part of the University of Houston System and a Texas public university, follows the statewide rule that limits ACM to graduate programs only. Eligible graduate students from participating SREB states may qualify for in-state tuition if their UHCL program is ACM-approved and not offered in their home state.
- Note: Undergraduate students are not eligible for ACM at UHCL or any Texas public university. Texas does not participate in WUE, NEBHE, or MSEP for undergraduates.
Quick FAQ
- Who qualifies? New non-resident undergrads who receive $1,000+ in competitive scholarships at UHCL within an academic year.
- How much can we save? The waiver switches you to the resident tuition rate. For 2025–26, that’s roughly $16.7k off tuition/fees on a 30-credit load.
- Do we apply? No separate application. UHCL processes the waiver once qualifying scholarships are awarded (watch award terms and timing).
https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/tuition/ (University COA page)
https://www.uhcl.edu/student-business-services/documents/tuition-and-fees-table-2025-2026.pdf (Tuition & Fees PDF)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?225414-University-of-Houston-Clear-Lake= (College Scorecard)
https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/guidelines-manuals/competitive-scholarship-waiver-fact-sheet/ (Texas Waiver Fact Sheet)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UHCL offers two admission-based automatic awards: one for high-achieving transfer students and one for National Merit Finalists. These do not require a separate application beyond admission or National Merit designation.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transfer Scholarship | $1,000/semester (up to 4 semesters) |
New undergrad transfers; GPA ≥2.75; enroll full-time (12+ credits) | No (automatic with admission) |
Yes (renewable up to 3 more semesters; 2.75 GPA and full-time enrollment required) | Transfers bringing solid grades, enrolling full time | Rolling (apply early) |
| National Merit Scholarship | Varies (institutional support based on finalist package) | National Merit Finalists listing UHCL as 1st choice | No (automatic for eligible finalists) |
Yes (annual renewal; National Merit and UHCL standards) | High school National Merit Finalists selecting UHCL | Spring (National Merit timelines) |
Automatic merit awards at UHCL are limited. Freshman awards like the President’s Excellence Scholarship are competitive and listed in the next section.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at UHCL
- Do I need a separate application? No—both awards are automatic if you meet eligibility and file for admission.
- What GPA is needed? Transfer: 2.75+ collegiate GPA. National Merit: meet NMSQT/PSAT criteria and finalist status.
- Does UHCL superscore SAT or ACT? No. Best single test date only.
- Can they stack with other aid? Yes, up to the federal Cost of Attendance. Nonresidents earning $1,000+ in competitive awards may get in-state tuition via the Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver.
- When should I apply? Apply early. Automatic awards are tied to your admission file, and funds can run out.
uhcl.edu/scholarships/
uhcl.edu/admissions/
uhcl.edu/financial-aid/types/
nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships require more than just admission — they involve essays, higher GPA cutoffs, or early applications. Awards are limited and competitive, so strong academics, leadership, and timely applications matter.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Excellence Scholarship | $3,000/yr ($1,500/semester, up to 4 years) | Incoming freshmen, 3.5+ HS GPA, admitted to UHCL | Yes—UHCL portal | Yes (GPA/credit load required, up to 4 years) | Freshmen with 3.7+ GPAs, complete applications, early filing | Jan 15 (priority for fall) |
| New Hawk Scholarship | Full ride (tuition, fees, books, housing) down to $1,000 | First-time freshmen, essay(s), limited slots | Yes—portal/essays required | Varies (awards specify if renewable) | Top-of-class (3.6–4.0 UW, AP/IB/leadership), strong essays | Jan 15 |
| Hawk Scholars (HSS) | $2,000 first sem + $1,000 per term (up to 2 more terms) | New non-TX resident/international students; strong early admits | Yes—portal (priority: Sep 15, final: Nov 1, for spring cycle) | Yes (GPA ≥3.0, 6+ credits/term) | 3.3+ GPA, early applicants, international/out-of-state | Sep 15 (priority), Nov 1 (final, spring); Jan for fall cycle |
| Cullen Leadership Scholarship | $1,000/yr (renewable) | New transfers, associate’s degree (Houston/Galveston CC in last 12 months) | Yes—portal | Yes (GPA/enrollment) | Recent CC grads, ~3.2+ GPA, service record | March 1 |
*Estimate GPA bands; check official UHCL tiers when published for the relevant year.
FAQ — Competitive Scholarships
- Deadlines? Portal: Jan 15 (fall priority), Sep 15/Nov 1 (spring candidates); verify cycle dates yearly.
- Award range? $1,000 (Cullen) to full ride (New Hawk). Typical freshmen awards: $1,000–$3,000/year.
- How many win? UHCL does not publish recipient numbers—full rides are extremely rare, $1–3K awards are more common.
- What matters? GPA, leadership, essays, and early/complete submission.
- Stacking with other scholarships? Yes, up to COA. Nonresidents earning $1,000+ may get in-state tuition.
uhcl.edu/scholarships/
uhcl.edu/admissions/
uhcl.edu/financial-aid/types/
🎖️ Honors College
Unlike UH’s main campus, UH–Clear Lake does not operate a stand-alone undergraduate Honors College. Instead, motivated students can still access “honors-style” opportunities—small seminars, leadership cohorts, undergraduate research through the Environmental Institute of Houston, and special projects tied to NASA partnerships. For first-gen families, this means your student won’t miss out on challenging courses or mentorship, but there’s no separate application-only college with its own housing or differential tuition.
GPA in the 3.5–4.0 range, strong interest in undergraduate research, and active involvement in service or leadership on campus. Many are first-gen students who take advantage of small-class environments and faculty mentorship.
- Priority access to undergraduate research with UHCL faculty and NASA/JSC partners
- Smaller, discussion-based classes within core programs
- Close mentoring relationships with professors
- Opportunities for leadership development and service projects
Because there is no centralized Honors College, UHCL does not advertise Honors-specific scholarships. Instead, ambitious students should apply broadly through the UHCL scholarship portal and highlight leadership, GPA, and research interests—the same qualities that competitive donors and departmental committees reward.
FAQ — Honors at UHCL
- Is there a separate application? No — there is no formal undergraduate Honors College. Students are invited into smaller honors-style classes through departments.
- Does it add time to my degree? No. Honors courses are integrated into existing requirements.
- Are there extra scholarships? Not centralized. Strong applicants may qualify for competitive departmental or donor scholarships instead.
- What’s the best perk? Access to research and faculty mentorship, especially through UHCL’s NASA and environmental science ties.
uhcl.edu/academics/undergraduate/
uhcl.edu/scholarships/
uhcl.edu/financial-aid/
⭐ College Specialty
UH–Clear Lake isn’t a massive flagship, but it has carved out some impressive niches. Because of its unique location next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the university blends classroom learning with hands-on opportunities that few other schools can match. For first-gen families looking for career pipelines into Houston’s booming industries — aerospace, energy, education, and healthcare — UHCL’s specialties make it a smart option.
- Environmental Science & Coastal Research: Through the Environmental Institute of Houston, UHCL is a state leader in wetlands, fisheries, and Gulf Coast sustainability studies (recognized in Texas Higher Ed environmental research reports).
- Cybersecurity & Computing: UHCL is aligning its curriculum with National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NSA/DHS framework). Its Computer Science & Software Engineering programs are noted statewide for workforce preparation in Houston’s energy and tech sectors.
- Education & Teacher Prep: The College of Education is among the top regional producers of certified teachers in the Houston metro area, with strong pipelines into Clear Creek, Pasadena, and Houston ISD school districts.
- Psychology & Family Therapy: Graduate programs in Clinical Psychology and Marriage & Family Therapy are accredited and recognized within Texas for professional licensure preparation and community impact.
Note: UHCL is not classified as an R1 or R2 research university; its distinction lies in targeted program strengths and its NASA partnership.