If studying in the United States has been on your mind, the University of Houston might just be your gateway. For the 2026–2027 academic year, UH is offering multiple scholarship programmes open to both international and domestic students at undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels — and some of them cover full tuition.
About the University of Houston
Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is a major public research university situated just minutes from downtown Houston, Texas. With over 47,000 students from across the globe, it is one of the most diverse universities in the United States. UH is particularly well regarded for its programmes in business, engineering, architecture, natural sciences, and the arts — making it a solid choice regardless of your field of study.
The university holds an acceptance rate of around 60–70%, which means your chances of getting in are realistic — especially if you apply with a strong academic record.
Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Host Country | United States of America |
| Host University | University of Houston |
| Degree Levels | Undergraduate, Masters, PhD |
| Eligible Applicants | International & domestic students |
| Funding Type | University-funded |
| Fields | All academic disciplines |
Available Scholarship Programmes
1. New Hawk Scholarship One of the most generous offerings at UH. Awards range from a full ride — covering tuition, fees, books, and housing — down to $1,000, depending on your academic profile. Available to first-year incoming students.
2. President’s Excellence Scholarship Designed for recent high school graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Awards $3,000 per academic year ($1,500 per semester) and is renewable for up to three additional years — meaning you could receive up to $12,000 over four years.
3. Hawk Scholars Scholarship Targeted at incoming residential graduate students, non-Texas resident undergraduates and graduates, and international students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. A strong option if you’re coming from outside the US.
4. Hawk Advantage Scholarship Need-based financial aid for recent high school graduates. Designed to make attending a four-year university more financially accessible.
5. Automatic Transfer Scholarship Available to students transferring from another college or university, whether Texas residents or not. If you’ve completed studies elsewhere and are looking to continue at UH, this one is worth checking.
6. Hunter Hall Housing Scholarship A $1,000 scholarship specifically for first-year and transfer students who choose to live on campus in Hunter Residence Hall. Renewable for both fall and spring semesters.
7. Kamlesh and Satish Agarwal MIS Scholarship A $1,000 annual award for students enrolled in the Management Information Systems programme.
8. Cullen Leadership Scholarship Open to new undergraduate and transfer students who hold an Associate Degree from a community college in the Houston/Galveston area, earned within 12 months of transferring to UH.
Who Can Apply?
- First-year international students pursuing a bachelor’s degree who attended secondary school outside the US
- Graduate applicants holding a bachelor’s degree (for master’s) or a master’s degree (for PhD), obtained from a university outside the US
- US citizens and residents are also eligible for several programmes — check individual requirements on the official website
- Students who show genuine interest in intercultural exchange and learning
How to Apply
- Log in to UH’s E-Services portal and navigate to the Financial Aid section
- Browse the available scholarships and click on any that interest you
- Click “Details” first — not “Apply” — to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria
- Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, return and click “Apply”
- Select the financial aid year 2026, complete any required questions, and submit
Application Deadlines
Each scholarship at UH carries its own deadline, and missing one means waiting another year. Visit the official UH Financial Aid page at uh.edu/financial regularly and note deadlines for each programme you’re targeting as soon as applications open.
A Practical Note
Even if a scholarship covers your tuition fully, factor in living costs for Houston — generally estimated at $1,000–$1,500 per month covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. Part-time work is permitted for international students on an F-1 visa (up to 20 hours per week on campus), which many students use to supplement their finances.
For reliable and updated information, always go directly to uh.edu or contact the UH Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.