University of Houston Clear Lake Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 7, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~83%
- Middle 50% ACT: 21
- Middle 50% SAT: 1080
- Average GPA: 3.6
- Below the typical ranges: Admission is still very achievable, but merit aid will be limited—this becomes more of a financial fallback option.
- In the typical ranges: You’re in range for automatic Hawk Advantage scholarships—focus on hitting GPA thresholds and applying by priority deadlines.
- Well above the ranges: This is where UHCL gets interesting—higher merit awards plus the $1,000+ scholarship threshold can unlock in-state tuition through the Texas waiver.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Houston Clear Lake at a Glance
University of Houston–Clear Lake is one of those under-the-radar schools where the numbers can really work—especially for out-of-state families. The combination of automatic merit and the Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver means you can potentially pay in-state tuition without being a Texas resident.
The key is understanding how the system works. Most scholarships are modest on their own—but once you hit that $1,000 threshold, the real savings kick in. For the right student, this can quietly turn into one of the better value plays in Texas.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Houston Clear Lake is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21; SAT: 1080.
Average net price? About $11,056/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in competitive_scholarship_waiver.
UHCL Automatic Transfer Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/new-student-scholarships/automatic-transfer
UHCL College of Human Sciences & Humanities Scholarships: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/current-continuing-students/human-sciences-humanities
UHCL College of Education Scholarships: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/current-continuing-students/education
UHCL Cullen Leadership Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/new-student-scholarships/cullen-leadership
UHCL General Scholarships: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/current-continuing-students/general
UHCL Scholarship Catalog: https://catalog.uhcl.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=437
UHCL Hawk Housing Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/new-student-scholarships/hawk-housing-scholarship
UHCL Grants: Hawk Promise: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/types/grants
UHCL Hawk Scholars Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/new-student-scholarships/hawk-scholars
CollegeXpress - UHCL National Merit Scholarship: https://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/university-of-houston-clear-lake-national-merit-scholarship/5001377/
UHCL New Hawk Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/new-student-scholarships/new-hawk
UHCL President's Excellence Scholarship: https://www.uhcl.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/presidents-excellence-scholarship
HH Loans Competitive Scholarship Waiver: https://www.hhloans.com/types-of-financial-aid/competitive-scholarship-waiver/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Houston Clear Lake 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $9,298 | $25,978 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $12,642 | $12,642 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $21,940 | $38,620 |
Average Federal Net Price: $11,056 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
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)
Before you assume how merit works, read the Texas Merit Scholarship Guidelines. We break down GPA recalculation, rank rules, “as funds permit,” renewal credit hours, and out-of-state waiver mechanics.
✅ 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.
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.
*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
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
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.