Houston City College — Eagle Promise Program

Houston City College (HCC), formerly known as Houston Community College, offers Eagle Promise as a last-dollar institutional scholarship for certain high-school graduates who start there. After federal and state grants and scholarships are applied, the program covers eligible tuition and fees and adds a book allowance of up to $500 per semester when its rules are met. It is not a universal scholarship for every Houston resident or every course.

The current page describes the cohort entering in fall 2026. Published requirements included spring 2026 high-school graduation, a high-school GPA of at least 2.0, Texas residency, and living within HCC’s taxing district. Residency is determined after applying for admission. Associate-degree programmes and certificates longer than 30 credit hours are eligible; confirm that your specific programme is covered before enrolling.

Students had to submit FAFSA; those unable to use FAFSA but eligible for state aid were directed to TASFA. They also had to complete documents requested by the financial-aid office and begin in the fall immediately after graduation. To keep the scholarship, the page requires at least nine credits each fall and spring, continuous fall/spring enrollment—with summer not counted as a break—an eligible programme, an HCC cumulative GPA of 2.3, and satisfactory academic progress.

The award works as a supplement: other grants and scholarships are counted first, and Eagle Promise covers the eligible tuition-and-fee gap under the programme rules. The book allowance is capped at $500 per semester; it is not unlimited cash or a promise to pay for transport, housing, food, or personal expenses. Ask for an award letter showing attendance costs, aid already applied, and any balance that remains your responsibility.

The posted deadline for 2026 applications was September 30, 2026. Because that date has passed, a new student should not assume they can join retroactively or that the next cohort will use the same opening and deadline. The page does not yet list future dates. Contact HCC to confirm the next cycle, changed requirements, and how to check an application already filed; avoid relying on archived pages or older posts.

For an open cycle, HCC lists this order: review eligibility, apply for admission, submit FAFSA or TASFA as applicable, and complete the Eagle Promise and commitment forms. The programme page lists finaid.district@hccs.edu and 713-718-8490 for Eagle Promise; the general financial-aid center uses 713-718-2000, option 3. <a data-profile="hcc-eagle-promise">The Eagle Promise page explains coverage and programme rules</a>; <a data-profile="hcc-financial-aid">The Financial Aid office can review your file and forms</a>. Ask what applies to your entry year and keep the answer in writing.

Who it serves and what it can cover: For fall 2026 entrants, the program covered tuition, fees, and up to $500 per semester for books after federal and state grants and scholarships. It required spring 2026 high-school graduation, a 2.0 high-school GPA, Texas residency within HCC’s taxing district, FAFSA or TASFA as applicable, an eligible program, and at least 9 credits each fall and spring. The posted 2026 application deadline was September 30, 2026 and has passed; do not assume the next cycle will repeat the same rules or date.

How to apply or get help: The general financial-aid contact centre lists Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Eagle Promise lists 713-718-8490. Confirm hours and contact options before visiting. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information