| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.81 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | Jan. 4, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Houston
PA-7: Affordability and Access
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.15 / 4.00 |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1
Support for Low-Income Students
Yes
None
A brief description of any policies and programs to minimize the cost of attendance for low-income students:
Through the Cougar Promise program, the University of Houston guarantees free tuition and waived mandatory fees to new in-state freshmen with family incomes at or below $45,000. The Cougar Promise is the University of Houston's promise to low-income families that college is accessible to their children and that financial aid will be available to them. The program provides tuition and fees during fall and spring semesters to qualifying students for up to four years as long as students continue to meet eligibility criteria and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
http://www.uh.edu/financial/undergraduate/types-aid/incentives/cougar-promise/index.php
None
A brief description of any programs to equip the institution’s faculty and staff to better serve students from low-income backgrounds:
Teach Forward Houston (TFH) is a ground-breaking fellowship developed in partnership between the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and the University of Houston. This collaborated efforts, works to ensure our city’s schools are staffed with highly effective teachers who are passionate about improving their community through education. The fellows of Teach Forward Houston will earn a Bachelor of Science in Teaching and Learning before returning to the greater Houston community for a minimum of four years as an HISD classroom teacher.
http://www.uh.edu/uep/events_programs/teach-forward-houston.html
A brief description of the institution’s programs to guide and prepare students and families from low-income backgrounds for higher education:
The Challenger Program is a federally supported “Student Support Services” TRIO Project funded by the Department of Education which is designed to assist students with overcoming personal concerns, academic deficiencies, and financial difficulties that could impair their chances of succeeding in college. The goal is to help students to stay in college until they earn their baccalaureate degree by providing participants with tutoring, counseling, academic instruction, financial aid advisement, and social enrichment. Student participants come from an array of backgrounds that cut across all ethnical/racial, gender and socio-economic boundaries.
http://www.uh.edu/ussc/challenger-program/
None
A brief description of the institution's scholarships for low-income students:
The Urban Experience Program (UEP) office serves as the UH point of contact for monthly visits from TX Health and Human Service and Food Bank representative to assist students dealing with some form of food insecurity. Students that receive food assistance from Health and Human services receive on average $150 a month in aid. However in order to receive these benefits students must maintain a minimum of 20 hours per week in a job or authorized volunteer position. Additionally, UEP secured year-around housing for students in dorms that do not require a meal plan because students simply cannot afford them, while helping students obtain meals.
http://www.uh.edu/uep/events_programs/food-assistance.html
A brief description of the institution’s targeted outreach to recruit students from low-income backgrounds:
The 3 day immersion summer bridge program, hosted at the University of Houston, will serve students transitioning from high school to college with integrated curriculum focused on breaking down the barriers to success that students face in their first year of college. Students will be armed with academic, social, and financial tools which will equip them to better cope with the unique challenges faced by first generation college students.
http://www.uh.edu/uep/events_programs/high-school-outreach.html
A brief description of the institution’s other policies or programs to make the institution accessible and affordable to low-income students:
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) recently awarded the University of Houston $50,000 to launch or expand pilot programs to prevent low-income college students nearing graduation from dropping out. The grants are for two years and are funded by Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation and Lumina Foundation. Funds from the programs will be used to strengthen the infrastructures of institutions that already serve a significant percentage of non-traditional, disadvantaged students who are low-income, first generation, Pell grant eligible and minorities.
http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2016/March/0315APLU.php
Support for Non-Traditional Students
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s scholarships provided specifically for part-time students:
The Patricia A. Eichhorn Endowed Scholarship supports non-traditional students, returning students who are furthering their education. In recognition of her leadership in providing financial assistance to students in transition seeking a second chance to have a productive and rewarding career, her family established the scholarship through an endowed gift to the University of Houston.
Students must enroll for a minimum of 6 hours and maintain a GPA for 2.5 or better to receive the second payment and preference if given to those that express financial need.
http://www.uh.edu/class/ws/students/scholarships/
The Joseph Schatz Scholarship for Nontraditional Mathematics Students awarded to students age 30 or older and/or among the first generation in family to attend college. The scholarship requires students to declare a major in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics with a preference given to math majors, be enrolled in at least 6 hours of coursework, and maintain a 3.25 GPA.
http://www.uh.edu/nsm/students/undergraduate/scholarships/scholarship-schatz/index.php
A brief description of the institution’s on-site child care facility, partnership with a local facility, and/or subsidies or financial support to help meet the child care needs of students:
The UH Children’s Learning Centers (CLC) provides a nationally accredited exemplary early childhood program that supports the student, staff, and faculty, while at the same time, encourages UH student success by offering opportunities for learning, discovery and engagement.
http://www.uh.edu/clc/
A brief description of the institution’s other policies and programs to support non-traditional students:
Non-Traditional Students Organization (NTSO) is a registered student organization which addresses the needs and challenges of Non-Traditional Students who may be unfamiliar with the university environment. In an effort to support the transition of these students into these new surroundings, NTSO was developed to provide direction to the many resources, tools and information available on campus. The goal of this organization is to encourage and serve as a link toward the academic success of Non-Traditional students. NTSO is open to all majors and all students. There are currently NO membership fees.
http://www.uh.edu/technology/college/student-organizations/ntso/
Part 2
Yes
The percentage of entering students that are low-income (0-100):
37
The graduation/success rate for low-income students (0-100):
51
On average, the percentage of need that was met for students who were awarded any need-based aid (e.g. as reported to the U.S. Common Data Set initiative, item H2) (0-100):
64.30
The percentage of students graduating with no interest-bearing student loan debt or for whom no out-of-pocket tuition is required (i.e. the percentage of graduates who have not taken out interest-bearing loans) (0-100):
63
Optional Fields
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.