Bearkat Promise
OUR PROMISE
The Bearkat Promise is SHSU’s commitment to making college more affordable for Texas students. The Bearkat Promise covers at least $5,685 in mandatory¹ tuition and fees each semester (15 credit hours) with only grant funds, not loans.
Grant funds on your Financial Aid Dashboard could be a combination of:
- Pell + Texas Grant
- Pell + Bearkat Promise TPEG (Texas Public Education Grant)
- Pell + Bearkat Promise TPEG + SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
New Requirements for Fall 2026
Starting in Fall 2026, the Bearkat Promise program is being expanded to include family income² up to $100,000!
| Description | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Entering Freshman or Entering Transfer Students | YES |
| PELL Eligible | YES |
| Texas Resident | YES |
| Seeking a degree at SHSU | YES |
| Limited by financial need | YES |
| FAFSA must be received by Priority Date | March 1 |
| Minimum enrollment per semester³ | 12 Hours |
| Semesters available | Fall/Spring |
| Maximum Family Income | $100,000 |
| Minimum GPA Requirement for Transfer Students | 2.5 |
Renewal Requirements
| Description | Requirement |
|---|---|
| New student requirements maintained | YES |
| Started program in first year at Sam Houston | YES |
| Renewal years are sequential | YES |
| Compliant with SAP Policy | YES |
| Minimum Overall GPA required | 2.5 |
| FAFSA must be received by Priority Date | March 1 |
| Minimum enrollment per semester³ | 12 Hours |
| Minimum ratio (completed hrs/attempted hrs) | 67% |
| Maximum renewal years | 3 |
¹Bearkat Promise does not cover other non-mandatory fees.
²Family income is determined based on data from the FAFSA.
³Students must complete a minimum of 12 SHSU credit hours per semester.
FAQ
In addition to having a family income of $100,000 or less, you must meet all requirements to qualify. Please review the New Requirements for Fall 2026 above (or the Renewal Requirements if you are a current student receiving Bearkat Promise funds).
Family income is calculated taking into consideration the AGI, tax deferred pensions, IRA and KEOGH deductions, child support received, tax exempt interest, untaxed IRA deductions, untaxed pensions, military and clergy allowance, VA non-educational benefits, and other untaxed income.
Yes, it is! If you continue to meet the initial criteria, the Bearkat Promise is renewable for up to three more years (four years total). Please review the full list of Renewal Requirements above.
Unfortunately, if your GPA falls below the required 2.5 minimum, you lose eligibility to be part of the Bearkat Promise program. You can still qualify for other priority aid, but you lose the guarantee to cover mandatory tuition and fees for 15 hours.
Yes, this can be combined with other aid, like scholarships, depending on the amount of the scholarship(s). We are sometimes required to adjust aid. Please reference the Financial Aid Displacement Advisory: https://www.shsu.edu/cost-aid/financial-aid-displacement-advisory.
The Bearkat Promise program is for fall and spring semesters only. However, as you are required to meet the priority date to be eligible for Bearkat Promise, you are by default eligible for priority grant awards for summer.
Contact Us
Phone
LOCAL: (936) 294.1774
TOLL-FREE: (866) BEARKAT
FAX: (936) 294.3668
Location & Hours
PHYSICAL: 1903 University Ave
Estill Bldg, Suite 201
MAILING: Box 2328
Huntsville, TX 77341
HOURS: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm
SHSU CODE: 003606