Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University"), through the Office of Student Financial Services, provides guidance to students in locating financial assistance for payment of tuition and expenses associated with the academic program(s) in which the student is enrolled.

II. PROCEDURE

All students, new or continuing, who have been accepted for enrollment, will be made aware of the availability of financial assistance and the types of assistance for which they may qualify.

Students must complete the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application prior to consideration for any financial aid program administered through the Office of Student Financial Services. Information provided on the student’s FAFSA will be used to determine financial need. Failure of an applicant to disclose all pertinent information or misrepresentation of facts may disqualify an applicant for any type of financial aid.

Veterans and Service Members should contact both the Veteran’s Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office and their assigned financial aid counselor prior to the beginning of the award process.

All loans, scholarships, grants, or other aid funds will be awarded based on the most current regulations or guidelines in effect at the time of award. Disbursement of awards will be contingent upon the continuing availability of funds. Awards may be revised based on changes in sources of funds, availability of funds, student enrollment, or student resources.

Foreign students who are attending classes on a student visa are only eligible for the Texas Public Education Grant Program administered by the Office of Student Financial Services, subject to availability.  Foreign students are encouraged to contact their schools’ Student Affairs offices to inquire about scholarship availability.

Students classified as Texas Residents who do not qualify for federal financial aid using the FAFSA are encouraged to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) by the state priority deadline date for state aid consideration.

Students who are known to be in default on a student loan from this or any other institution of higher education will be ineligible for any federal, state, or institutional student aid program administered by the University.

School-related expenses are documented in school expense budgets prepared annually by the Office of Student Financial Services. School expense budgets are publicly available on the Student Financial Services website.

There is no priority deadline to submit the FAFSA application.  However, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by the State’s priority deadline as awards are processed on a first come, first served basis.

The Director of Student Financial Services or designee is the final authority for approval or disapproval of all applications.

After applications are processed, applicants will be advised of eligibility, the amounts and types of assistance offered, and the time schedule for disbursement of aid. Applicants are required to either accept or decline the loan award(s) offered prior to disbursement of funds to the applicant.

After aid offers have been accepted by the applicant, the applicant may request revisions to the award only when extenuating circumstances exist. All revisions must be approved by the Director of Student Financial Services or designee.

III. CONTACTS

• • Student Financial Services
  • 713-500-3860
  • https://www.uth.edu/sfs/contact.htm

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