Selected for Verification?
Special/Unusual Circumstance?
Where do I Start?
Complete the FAFSA each year beginning October 1st.
Know Your Costs.
Be admitted to Sam Houston State University.
Meet with your Academic Advisor.
Create your class schedule.
Be enrolled in and maintain at least half-time enrollment at SHSU.
Move on to How do I Receive Financial Aid?
How do I Receive Financial Aid?
Complete the FAFSA each year beginning October 1st
What You Need to Do
Submit your FAFSA by our priority date of November 1st.
- Determine your eligibility to complete the FAFSA.
- Request FSA ID, if needed.
- Complete the FAFSA online and include SHSU’s school code - 003606 and be sure to apply for the correct aid year.
- Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education.
- Cancel any subsequent aid scheduled at your previous school. Financial aid received at other institutions could affect aid eligibility at SHSU. If you received a Federal Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized) or Parent PLUS Loan (PLUS) at another institution, make sure to contact the prior institution to request they cancel the aid.
What We Do
- Starting Mid-November of each year, we download FAFSA information once a week and begin reviewing student eligibility for Financial Aid. Holidays and school closures may affect this timeline.
What if I don't qualify for FAFSA?
- If you are TASFA eligible, check here for additional information.
- If you are an international student, check with The Office of International Programs.
What if I am a veteran or have a waiver?
- If you are eligible for veteran tuition assistance or tuition waivers, select the appropriate link for additional information.
Apply for Scholarships
What You Need to Do
Scholarships4Kats opens September 1st each year for the following school year and we prioritize applications received by the submission date of November 1st.
- Complete scholarship application at Scholarships4Kats.
- Review your recommended opportunities and complete requested supplemental applications.
- Review the Bearkat Transfer Scholarship to see if you qualify.
- Check with your Major department for additional scholarship opportunities.
What We Do
- All scholarship applications are reviewed.
- Selections begin in December of each year.
- If you are selected for an institutional scholarship, we will notify you of your award through your SHSU email.
Meet SHSU Eligibility Requirements
What You Need to Do
- Understand how Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) works.
- Ensure you are in an eligible academic program.
What We Do
- For first-time students, we verify you are admitted to SHSU.
- We verify you are in an eligible academic program.
Check Your Status
You may be selected for verification.
What You Need to Do
- Check your SHSU email account to determine if any additional information has been requested.
- If documentation is requested, log into your MySam account for instructions, to view requested documents, and check status of your file.
- If no documentation is requested by SHSU, skip to Step 5: Financial Aid Notification.
What We Do
- Review documentation provided to determine if any corrections are required.
Financial Aid Notification
Aid will begin posting by March of each year.
What You Need to Do
- Check your SHSU email or MySam account to view your Aid Notification.
What We Do
- Verify Acceptance to SHSU.
- Verify Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Calculate your maximum aid eligibility.
- Send your Financial Aid Notification
Choose your Aid Option(s)
What You Need to Do
- Log into your MySam account and review your aid notification.
- Know what you need to pay for your education.
- Schedule a Personal Financial Consultation with Student Money Management.
- Accept or Decline each aid offer.
What We Do
- Approximately 2-3 days after you accept your awards, we begin processing your accepted awards for disbursement.
- For accepted loans, we submit information to the US Department of Education.
What’s the Hold Up?
What You Need to Do
- Check your MySam account to see if there are any additional requirements you need to complete.
- Entrance Counseling for first time borrowers.
- Master Promissory Notes.
- Parent PLUS Loan, if a dependent student.
What We Do
- Confirm completion and update your MySam account.
Check for Disbursed Funds
What You Need to Do
- Understand the difference between disbursements and refunds.
- Check your MySam account for disbursed funds.
- Once all funds are disbursed, continue to Step 9.
What We Do
- Verify your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status is still in good standing.
- Verify your enrollment meets disbursement requirements for each award.
- Disburse your financial aid.
Your Refund
- Obtain your Bearkat OneCard and select your refund preference.
- For refund related questions, contact the SHSU Cashier’s Office.
Still Owe a Balance?
- Once aid has applied, check your Fee Statement for remaining balance.
- Plan how to pay your balance before the payment deadline.
- Enroll in the Payment Plan, if needed.
- If you are still waiting on financial aid to be processed, apply for Semester Loan