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Costs & Financial Aid

Costs & Financial Aid

Cougar Promise

Cougar Promise Eligibility Deadlines for Fall 2025:
  • Jan. 15, 2025 - Must submit all required admissions documents necessary for a fall admission decision
  • Feb. 15, 2025 - Must complete the 2025-26 FAFSA or TASFA and submit all requested financial aid forms and supporting documents, including all requested verification documentation

See below for additional eligibility requirements, including income eligibility standards.

The Cougar Promise is the University of Houston's commitment to ensure a college education is accessible to students from low and middle-income families. Effective fall 2020, Cougar Promise will expand the income ranges for eligibility. UH guarantees tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by grant assistance and other sources for eligible students with family incomes at or below $65,000. It will provide tuition support for those with family incomes which fall between $65,001 and $125,000.

To be eligible for Cougar Promise/Tuition Support, you must:

  • Be an entering first-time freshman for fall semester with all required admissions documents submitted by Jan. 15 
  • Qualify as a Texas resident which includes students eligible to pay in state tuition under SB1528
  • Be an independent student or a dependent member of a household whose adjusted gross income (AGI) as reported on the entering year the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not exceed $125,000
  • Complete your FAFSA or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) with an official Student Aid Index (SAI) and submit all requested financial aid forms with supporting documents by the Feb. 15 state of Texas priority deadline
  • Have demonstrated financial need preventing you from covering the cost of tuition and fees per federal and/or state guidelines
  • Enroll as a full-time degree seeking student at UH

Cougar Promise Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cougar Promise work and what does it cover?

The UH Cougar Promise covers both tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students and students from families with an AGI of $65,000 or less. Independent or dependent students with an AGI from $65,001 to $125,000 may qualify for tuition support ranging from $500 to $2,000. Cougar Promise utilizes a combination of grants (i.e., Pell, TEXAS and institutional grants, etc.) and various other resources as determined by the FAFSA or TASFA. Please note that if a student loses eligibility for TEXAS Grant due to being in arrears on child support, student will also lose Cougar Promise eligibility.

What is the application deadline for the Cougar Promise?

Cougar Promise does not require a separate application process. For 2025-26, you must submit all your required admissions documents by the Jan. 15, 2025 deadline and complete the FAFSA or TASFA by the Feb. 15, 2025, state of Texas priority deadline to be considered. You must also submit all requested financial aid forms and supporting documents by Feb. 15. This includes all requested verification documentation. You must provide a valid Social Security Number (SSN) to UH on your application for admission or directly to the Office of the University Registrar by the state of Texas priority deadline to allow for processing of your FAFSA and consideration for Cougar Promise. Because students do not know in advance if they have been chosen for verification, families should consider submitting the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available.

Does Cougar Promise provide financial assistance for transfer students?

Cougar Promise is a program for new entering freshmen. However, UH offers eligible transfer students the Transfer Excellence and Transfer Achievement scholarships, along with many federal, state and institutional grants, loans and work-study.

Does Cougar Promise require full-time enrollment?

Yes, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits at UH for fall and spring terms. We strongly encourage students to enroll in 15 credits per term to ensure on-time graduation.

Is Cougar Promise available for summer terms?

Cougar Promise is a fall and spring program.

Is Cougar Promise renewable?

Yes, Cougar Promise is available for up to four years or five years for the Bachelor of Architecture 160 credit degree plan. To be eligible for renewal, students must earn at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and at least 24 credit hours per academic year. 30 credit hours per year are preferable to ensure on-time graduation. Students must file a FAFSA or TASFA each year by the State of Texas priority deadline and maintain income and need eligibility.

Does Cougar Promise cover books as well as room & board?

The Cougar Promise program guarantees tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by grant assistance and other sources, for eligible students. The program does not cover special or optional fees like books and housing, but students may qualify for additional assistance to help cover these costs. To maximize funding eligibility, students and/or their parents must provide important information about their family's income and expenses every year via the FAFSA or TASFA. UH will use this application to determine how much financial aid funding the student is eligible for and may include self-help options like Federal Work-Study or Federal Direct Loans to help supplement additional charges owed. Students are encouraged to complete the application and upload all requested documentation in a timely manner. Please note that availability of funds is very limited, applying does not guarantee eligibility. The state of Texas priority deadline for 2025-26 is Feb. 15, 2025, to be considered for maximum funding.

How will I be notified if I receive Cougar Promise?

Cougar Promise is a commitment from UH to provide tuition coverage or support to qualifying Texas families, though it will not appear as an individual item on your financial aid offer. Eligible students will receive a separate communication providing the details of your assistance.

Please reach out to Scholarships & Financial Aid at sfa@central.uh.edu or call 713-743-1010, option 5 for additional Cougar Promise questions.

This program is subject to available funds. Continuing Cougar Promise students’ eligibility criteria remains the same as posted the year they entered UH.