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. 

1. Visit myeagle.hccs.edu or scan the QR code.
2. 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.
3. 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?

1. To get started, go to your MyEagle and sign in to your account.
2. Select Checklists, then select Verify Identification.
3. Select the ID.me button, then sign in to your ID.me account (or create one).
4. Upload your government-issued photo ID, take a video selfie, and enter your personal information.
5. 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

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.