How to Apply
Types of Aid
The amounts and types of financial aid you receive are determined through federal, state and institutional guidelines. Most federal financial aid is based on financial need.
- Grants are awarded through federal, state and institutional sources and are generally based on financial need. Grants are "gift" assistance and do not need to be repaid
- Scholarships are provided through the HCC Foundation, corporations, private donors and the college. Scholarships are "gift" assistance and do not need to be repaid.
- Path to Profession Program (Work-Study) student employment is offered through the college. Student employees work on or off-campus and are paid an hourly rate for work performed.
- Federal student loans are offered at low-interest rates and can be repaid over an extended period of time, generally after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits).
Financial aid will verify eligibility based on the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the first step in applying for financial aid.
Apply for Financial Aid
2025-2026 Financial Aid
If you plan to attend HCC during Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026, you need to fill out the 2025–26 FAFSA form using 2023 tax info. Use HCC's School Code (010422).
2026-2027 Financial Aid
If you plan to attend HCC during Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and/or Summer 2027, you need to fill out the 2026–27 FAFSA form using 2024 tax info. Use HCC's School Code (010422).
Review Eligibility Requirements
- Review eligibility requirements for further information about qualifying for federal financial aid.
- Learn how private scholarships may affect federal and state gift aid due to financial aid displacement.
- Submit a free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the Correct Aid Year.
File Early
Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA application as early as possible. Take a look at HCC's FAFSA Guide. This guide includes tips and information for those completing their FAFSA applications.
Submit Admissions Application
We cannot begin to process your FAFSA without an admissions application on file. Please make sure you submit an admissions application prior to completing FAFSA. Click here to learn about admissions and enrollment steps.
Data Retrieval Tool
When possible, please utilize the Data Retrieval Tool to import tax return information into the FAFSA.
Use HCC'S School Code: Please use HCC's School Code (010422) when filling out the FAFSA. We will not receive your application unless you use the school's code.
Students Without a Social Security Number
Undocumented students who are eligible for state financial aid funds should complete the Texas Application For State Financial Aid (TASFA) to request state funds, not the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, please visit our "Undocumented Students - TASFA" webpage.
Federal Financial Aid
Click the link to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using HCC's School Code (010422). The information you provide determines whether you qualify for federal and state grants, and federal loans. HCC's FAFSA Guide: This guide includes tips and information for those completing their FAFSA applications.
State Aid for Undocumented Students
Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid through the FAFSA application have the option to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to be evaluated and considered for Texas state and HCC institutional financial aid programs.
Login to Access Your HCC Message Center
All notices, status updates, and announcements will be sent to the Message Center.
- Visit myeagle.hccs.edu or scan the QR code.
- Select the “Student Sign In” Tile and log in using your HCC student login. If you need help with resetting your password, please call 713.718.8800.
- Select the Message Center tile, to view all your financial aid-related messages and notifications.
Submit required documentation
To view your Financial Aid To-do List, please visit HCC MyEagle myeagle.hccs.edu; select ‘Student Sign-in’ tile/box; select the “Checklist” box/tile; and then select “Financial Aid” on the left-hand menu. Your To-do list will outline all the additional documentation needed to process your FAFSA.
- Verification: You may see a note on your Student Aid Report saying you’ve been selected for verification or you may receive an email from the Financial Aid Office. Verification is the process schools use to confirm that the information reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. Learn more about the verification process.
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): A Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Should your family members have questions regarding your financial aid, you must complete a FERPA release form to authorize the release of your Houston City College record. Learn more about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Review the After the Award resource page with enrollment details; steps to accept or decline aid; and information about requirements for all types of aid.
If you do not have enough financial aid to cover costs of classes, you will have to make arrangements with the Business Office to pay for the remaining balance. Learn more about available payment plan options.
The system will show that you owe money for classes because your financial aid has not disbursed.
Disbursement means that all eligible financial aid funds will be posted to your account as a payment for classes. Once a disbursement of your financial aid is posted as payment for your classes, any aid leftover will be refunded to you within 48–72 hours (2-3 business days).
Students will begin to receive disbursement and refunds when they attend classes (all classes, including late start) for at least 5 to 6 weeks. Learn more about the refund process.
What is ID.me?
ID.me is a digital identity wallet that makes it easier for people to prove who they are online. They meet federal standards for consumer authentication and are committed to expanding access to verification. With ID.me, people can sign in to multiple organizations using one account.
Why do I need to use ID.me?
Houston City College requires you to verify your identity with ID.me as part of the enrollment process.
What do I need to verify my identity? You’ll need:
- A mobile device with a front-facing camera that can take a selfie
- An internet connection
- A compatible browser, like Chrome or Safari
- A government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or passport card
How do I start and complete verification?
- To get started, go to your MyEagle and sign in to your account.
- Select Checklists, then select Verify Identification.
- Select the ID.me button, then sign in to your ID.me account (or create one).
- Upload your government-issued photo ID, take a video selfie, and enter your personal information.
- To finish, consent to share your information with Houston City College.
Can I try again if my verification doesn’t work the first time?
Yes. You can try again. If you still have trouble, you may be asked to upload more documents and complete a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent.
Why can’t I access my benefits or services after verifying? You may not have completed the last step to consent to share your info.
Go back to the HCC CSQA Student System and sign in to your account. From the menu, select Checklists, then choose Verify Identification. Next, select the ID.me button and sign in to your ID.me account. When prompted, select Allow to continue.
Can I have more than one ID.me account?
No. You can only have one verified ID.me account. It’s tied to you as an individual, like a driver’s license. If you think you might have more than one account, visit What to do if you have multiple ID.me accounts.
How is my data protected?
ID.me meets federal, legal, and regulatory requirements for privacy and security. These protections help keep your info safe from loss, misuse, or unauthorized access. ID.me doesn’t sell, rent, or trade your personal info. Learn more at the ID.me Privacy Center.
Need help verifying with ID.me? Visit the ID.me Help Center for step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips
Financial need calculation
- Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Financial Need
Cost of Attendance: Includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other personal expenses.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index number that HCC's financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended. This number results from the information that you provide on your FAFSA form. This number is not a dollar amount of aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide. A negative SAI indicates the student has a higher financial need. Learn how the SAI is calculated.
The college or career school will determine your financial need by subtracting your SAI from the cost of attendance.
The FAFSA Simplification Act replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the SAI. Learn more about the changes with the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
Your SAI will be listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary. Before completing the FAFSA form, use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate your SAI.
If you want an estimate of your financial aid award, use the Federal Student Aid Estimator.
Colleges must include all funding resources as part of a student’s financial aid package. Resources include federal and state grants, scholarships, waivers, fellowships, assistantships, AmeriCorps, Federal Work Study, loans, and any other educational benefits available to cover educational expenses.
If it is determined that you do not have financial need, you can still apply for an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan or scholarships based on merit. In addition, parents can apply for PLUS loans.
The Federal Student Aid website offers an overview of the financial aid process.
Terms and conditions
Please read carefully the following rights and responsibilities of your financial aid awards.
- I understand that by applying for and receiving financial aid my tuition and fee due date has been extended beyond the end of add/drop and that if I do not withdraw from the courses I will be responsible for the course charges.
- I understand that I am obligated to pay in full to Houston Community College the amount due for tuition/fees if I do not complete all appropriate paperwork, qualify for aid, or receive enough funding to cover all costs. This includes any remaining balances that are a result of withdrawing or canceling my classes. I understand that any Federal, State, Institutional or external source of financial aid, as well as any student fee refunds, will be applied to any outstanding balance on my account, including bookstore charges.
- I understand that my financial aid award may be projected at full time enrollment and will be adjusted based on my actual enrollment. Even if I change my class schedule after I have accepted the awards the amounts and types of financial aid awards are subject to change. I understand that I must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours in order to receive a Federal Direct Student Loan.
- I understand that if I have a credit balance after all charges are paid, I will receive the balance through the refund method I chose when I activated my Eagle One Card.
- I understand that if I stop attending classes or withdraw completely before completing a minimum of 60% of the term, I will be required to repay all or a percentage of the financial aid received.
- I understand that HCC can only apply federal financial aid to the first 30 remedial credit hours attempted.
- I understand that I must report all offers of financial aid not previously awarded (e.g. scholarships, grants, loans, and fee waivers).
- I understand that financial aid is awarded contingent upon maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress according to the policy outlined on the college website.
- By accepting my financial aid awards, I hereby acknowledge that I have read, fully understand and agree to these conditions. I understand and agree to pay, the amount owed for tuition/fees, and all costs of collections including reasonable legal fees.
Courses Covered by FA
When you enroll in a course that is not part of your active program plan, the course credits cannot be counted toward the enrollment status that determines the amount of financial aid awarded to you.
Your financial aid enrollment status will reflect the credits for all validated classes that are part of your active program plan. Classes that are newly validated will be adjusted during the nightly financial aid recalculation process. If your adjusted financial aid package is not enough to cover full cost of the courses that aren’t on your program plan, you will be responsible for any unpaid tuition and fees.
Connect with your assigned academic advisor to review which courses you need to complete your academic program plan and to ensure you are on the right track with your courses.
To do list
Log into Student System Sign-in and choose To Do List under My Action Items. Your To Do List shows items that need to be completed for financial aid, admissions, etc. Outstanding items can prohibit you from registering for classes and from qualifying for financial aid awards.
Checklist status definitions
Financial aid uses the following checklist status definitions. Your file will not be complete until all requested documents are in a “Completed” or “Waived” status.
- Initiated - Submit each document listed to complete your student file.
- Received - This document has been received and is in review. This can take up to 14 business days.
- Returned - The document you submitted was not complete. Check your HCC student e-mail account for more information.
- Completed - The document you submitted is complete. Check your HCC student e-mail account for more information.
- Waived - You are no longer required to submit this document.
Outstanding documents
Be sure to:
- Write your name and student I.D. clearly at the top of each page
- Do not submit original documents
- Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records
Contact Us
Financial Aid Contact Center
We at HCC Financial Aid are here to help you with your questions and concerns. Please visit our Contact Page to view the most current contact methods, hours, and announcements.