UHV Quick Links

Financial Aid FAQ

  • What is the JAGUAR CARD and how can I learn more about it? The University of Houston-Victoria has partnered with Higher One, a financial services company focused solely on higher education, to offer faster delivery of refunds to students. Higher One will help bring this new method for receiving refunds to UHV via the Jaguar Card. The Jaguar Card is designed to provide increased choice when it comes to receiving your refunds, including the “Easy Refund” method. Easy Refund is the fastest and easiest way to gain access to your refund money – literally the same day UHV releases it. With this service on the way to campus, it’s natural that you may have some questions. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Jaguar Card and the refund process.
    1. How are refunds from UHV delivered to students?

      To receive your refund, visit JaguarCard.com to activate your refund preference. Once your refund preference is selected, funds are sent from UHV to Higher One who then disburses them according to your selection. If you want the fastest access to your money, simply choose to have your refunds deposited directly into your OneAccount-an FDIC Insured checking account with no monthly fees offered by Higher One. Please Note: In order to receive a refund it’s required that you activate your refund preference at JaguarCard.com as soon as your card arrives in the mail.

    2. How Do I get my Jaguar Card?

      By mail at your mailing address on file with University of Houston-Victoria.

    3. I don’t think I will ever get a refund. Why is it important to select a refund preference?

      Although you might not currently expect a refund from UHV, we may have a refund for you in the future. After all, it may be necessary to drop a class, a class may be cancelled, or you may simply receive a scholarship or assistance you were not anticipating. Selecting your preferred method to receive refunds from UHV ensures you will always receive your refunds in a timely manner.

    4. What are my options for receiving my refunds?

      A. Easy Refund to the OneAccount (FASTEST)
      B. ACH Transfer to a 3rd Party Bank (FAST)
      C. Paper Check

    5. What exactly is the OneAccount?

      The OneAccount is a fully functioning FDIC Insured FREE CHECKING account that allows you to access your financial aid refunds quicker and easier than ever before. The OneAccount has no minimum balance, no monthly fees, and free internet banking features. You may also use the Jaguar Card to make purchases anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted and withdraw cash with no fees at Higher One ATMs located on or around campus.

    6. Why have my refunds deposited directly to the OneAccount?

      A. Depositing your refund to the OneAccount, and selecting an Easy Refund is the fastest way to access your refund money.
      B. The Jaguar Card is a Debit MasterCard, NOT A CREDIT CARD. It can be used to make purchases at participating merchants that accept Debit MasterCard, get cash at ATMs, pay bills, and more.
      C. Parents and friends can easily send you money online via the Send Money feature.
      D. It’s FREE!

    7. How will I know when my refund has been direct deposited to my OneAccount?

      Higher One will send an email to the address you entered during activation when your refund has been deposited to your OneAccount. You can view the details of your OneAccount by accessing your statement online at JaguarCard.com, or by signing up to receive text messages sent directly to your cell phone with Mobile Alerts.

    8. Can I have my refund deposited to another bank account?

      Yes. You may have your refund deposited to the bank of your choice. In order to do so, select ACH transfer (to other bank) for your refund preference during the activation process and complete, print, and mail the required third party form to the designated address.


    • To learn more about the new Jaguar Card, please refer to the following link: http://www.learnaboutone.com
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  • What is UHV’s school code?
    • Our school code is 013231
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  • How can I pay for college?
    • First of all, consider college costs which include enrollment fees and/or tuition, transportation, housing/food, books, expenses related to childcare or a disability (for some.) You can pay for these expenses using savings, help from family, earnings from working a full or part-time job, scholarship, financial aid from the government such as Pell Grants. After exhausting all these option, there are also federal loan programs to consider, but these should be considered only as a last resort.
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  • What is financial aid?
    • Financial Aid is money set aside by the Federal Government, the State and the institution to help people pay for a college education. Financial Aid can typically come in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study job or subsidized and unsubsidized loans. In order to have access to Financial Aid, you need to fill out the Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA. Annually, complete a UHV Scholarship Application in order to be considered for institutional scholarships.
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  • What is the FAFSA?
    • The FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You need to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for grant, fee waivers, work-study jobs and student loans. The online FAFSA application is easy to complete. The computer program will walk you through all the questions you need to answer. Best of all, it won’t cost you anything to apply. The FAFSA can be found online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
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  • How do I fill out the FAFSA?
    • Apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once you complete the FAFSA, a financial aid officer will review your application, and you will then be notified if you qualify for financial aid. If you do not have internet access at home, you may be able to access the Internet on a campus computer or at a local library.
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  • When should I fill out the FAFSA to apply for financial aid?
    • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available on January 1st. You should apply early even if you are not planning to start school until the summer or fall. This way you can figure out how you are going to pay for school before it begins. The latest date a student can apply for financial aid is June 30th of the following year (for example June 30, 2009 for academic year 2008-2009). However, a student must have a valid FAFSA Application data/paper SAR (student aid report) at the institution prior to the last day of enrollment at that campus to be considered for payment.
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  • Do I have to complete a new FAFSA every year?
    • Yes, you must apply for Financial Aid each year. You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To complete your application, you will need a pin number to electronically sign your FAFSA. This is to ensure your privacy and security. You can obtain your pin at http://www.pin.edu.gov. Finally, you should know that the FAFSA is available every year beginning January 1st. You are encouraged to apply early.
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  • Do I need to be admitted to UHV before I can apply for financial aid?
    • No, you do not have to be admitted in order to apply for financial aid; however, you must apply for admission in order to be considered for financial aid awards. You do have to be admitted and registered to receive financial aid.
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  • Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
    • No. You do not have to be enrolled full-time to receive most forms of Financial Aid. Please be aware though that some grant and loan programs do require students to be enrolled at least half-time or full-time in order to be eligible. In some cases, if you are eligible for Financial Aid, the amount of aid you receive will be determined by the number of hours you are enrolled in.
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  • What is the difference between a grant and a loan?
    • A grant does not have to be paid back. It is the best type of aid you can receive. A loan, on the other hand, must be re-paid with interest over a period of years. Loans should be considered only after exhausting other options. It is important to remember that while grants are a great form of financial assistance, they do require you to fulfill certain responsibilities – such as staying in school and getting good grades. You may need to repay a grant if you reduce enrollment or withdraw from all courses during the semester after receiving financial aid.
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  • What is a Pell Grant?
    • Pell Grants are federally-funded, need-based, cash grants given to undergraduate students to help pay for college. Pell Grants can be awarded up to approximately $5,350 per scheduled award based on need and enrollment status. A Pell Grant does not have to be paid back, but a FAFSA has to be completed before being considered for this grant. Students may be eligible to receive up to two scheduled Pell Grants per year.
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  • What is a FSEOG or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant?
    • The FSEOG is a grant for Pell-eligible students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs). Funds are limited, so apply early. In order to be considered, a FAFSA has to be submitted and the student must have one of the lowest Expected Family Contributions and be enrolled at least half-time.
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  • How do I qualify for an Academic Competitiveness Grant?
    • The Academic Competitiveness Grant, or ACG, provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:
    • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
    • Be a Federal Pell-Grant recipient;
    • Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program;
    • Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;
    • Be enrolled in a one-year or two-year certificate program if the student is attending a two-year or four-year degree granting institution;
    • Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study;
    • If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and
    • If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.

    For more information about the ACG, please visit the Federal Student Aid website or click on the following link: http://studentaid.ed.gov
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  • What is a SMART Grant and how can I qualify?
    • The term SMART Grant is another way of saying the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant. The SMART Grant is for up to $4,000. To be eligible for a SMART Grant, a student must be:
    • In their 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate study
    • Be Pell Grant Eligible
    • Be majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security
    • Have at least a 3.0 G.P.A. in coursework required for their major
    • Be a U.S. Citizen
    • Be enrolled in a 4-year degree granting institution
    • Be enrolled full-time
    • Must complete a FAFSA

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  • What is a Federal Work-Study job?
    • Federal Work-Study is a program that provides jobs for students who demonstrate financial need. Eligible students are placed into work-study jobs, usually on campus. To be considered for a Federal Work-Study job, you must complete a FAFSA.
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  • What is the Direct Loan Program and what are the benefits?
    • Beginning in the fall, 2009, UHV will use the Direct Loan Program. The Direct Loan Program is one of the Federal Student Aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Students will no longer have to struggle to find a lender that participates in student loans. Students may have their loan approved as early as 24 hours after applying instead of waiting for a week. UHV students who already have loans through the FFEL program can consolidate the loans through a Federal Deposit Consolidation Loan. In order for students to participate in the Direct Loan Program, students must do the following:
    • Students must accept their loan awards through My UHV Self-Service
    • Students must have a valid Direct Loan Master Promissory Note on file with the U.S. Department of Education. Direct Loan Electronic Master Promissory Note located at https://dlenote.ed.gov.
    • Students must complete a Direct Loan Entrance Counseling online session if they are first-time loan-borrowers. The website to complete the entrance counseling session is https://www.dl.ed.gov.

    For more information about the Direct Loan application process, go to http://www.uhv.edu/ofa/
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  • Will financial aid pay for all my expenses?
    • Financial aid is intended to bridge the gap between what you and your family can afford to pay for college and the cost of college. If you qualify for financial aid, it may come in the form of grants, possibly a scholarship, work-study job and loans. Except in cases of exceptional need, financial aid typically covers only a portion of the cost of college expenses. Go to www.uhv.edu/ofa to do an estimate of your financial aid award eligibility.
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  • May I transfer my financial aid from my old school to UHV?
    • Your financial aid does not transfer from one school to another. UHV must receive your FAFSA information to determine what types of aid you may receive. You may be eligible for some of the same types of aid you received at your previous school.
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  • Will financial aid help me with out-of-state tuition costs?
    • Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible to receive federal financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, work study and loans to cover the costs associated with attending college. If you choose to attend a college located outside of your home state, you may incur higher costs of tuition, as many states charge higher rates to out-of-state residents. While financial aid may help off-set these higher costs, you are likely to still have to cover much of the additional cost – if there is any – of being a resident of another state. Go to http://www.uhv.edu/ofa to do an estimate of your financial aid award eligibility.
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  • Can I receive financial aid at more than one college?
    • If you are attending more than one college at the same time, you can only receive Federal Financial Aid at one of the colleges. However, if you transfer from one college to another during the year, you are eligible for financial aid at both colleges, as long as you apply for financial aid at each college separately. UHV offers a Consortium Agreement for students who are co-enrolled at UHV and VC, WCJC, HCC, ACC, or CBC. Each semester a student co-enrolls, he/she can get financial aid for the classes at both campuses as long as the course is necessary for thestudent’s UHV degree plan.
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  • How do I know if I qualify for Financial Aid?
    • You should complete the FAFSA even if you think you may not qualify for federal financial aid. The FAFSA is the key to unlocking financial aid in the form of grants, work-study, and loans. In order to be considered eligible for these programs, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
    • You must have a high school diploma, General Education Development (or equivalency), or have passed an independently administered “Ability to Benefit” test approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
    • You must be enrolled in an eligible program of study.
    • You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
    • You must submit all required forms and documents requested by the Financial Aid Office.
    • You must meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid.
    • You must have financial need (except in the case of unsubsidized loans), as demonstrated by a completed FAFSA and financial aid office review.
    • You must be in compliance with the Selective Service if you are a male. For males between 18 and 25 years of age, you must be registered.
    • You do not owe a refund or repayment on a federal grant.
    • You cannot be in default on a federal education loan.
    • You must have a valid Social Security number. If you are a dependent student, your parent is not required to have a valid Social Security Numbe
    • You have not been convicted of possession or selling illegal drugs while enrolled and receiving financial aid.

    If you meet all of these criteria, you are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA. There are a tremendous number of federal resources available, and the FAFSA is the key to unlocking these funds!
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  • I do not think I will qualify for financial aid. Should I apply anyway?
    • Yes, you should apply. Do not assume that you will not qualify for financial aid. Every year, many students, who otherwise would have received financial aid, fail to apply.
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  • Do you offer financial aid during the summer? Will I have to complete a new FAFSA?
    • Yes, financial aid is offered for summer. You must fill out the UHV Summer Aid Application online in My UHV account. When you click “Save” this form will be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. If you completed a FAFSA for the fall and/or spring semester, you do not need to complete another FAFSA for the summer. However, a FAFSA is required to be on file, along with the summer aid online form before you can be awarded financial aid for summer.
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  • How do I apply for a Pell Grant and other types of financial aid?
    • You must complete the FAFSA. UHV does not require any other type of application for this grant.
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  • Are there financial aid programs for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces?
    • Yes, if you are a veteran or you are a dependent of a veteran, Veteran’s Education Benefits may be available to you. For more information, go to www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551.
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  • I am a non-U.S. citizen. Am I eligible for federal financial aid?
    • If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you still may be eligible for Federal Financial Aid if you are determined to be an eligible non-citizen. The following types of non-citizens are eligible for federal financial aid:

    U.S. Permanent Residents with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or Conditional Permanent Residents (I-551C) or those with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing the designations of Refugee, Asylum Granted, Parole or Cuban-Haitian Entrant or those with an Immigration Court document approving Asylum or documentation of entering the U.S. under provisions of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act are eligible for federal financial aid.
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  • Are international students eligible to receive state or federal financial aid?
    • No. International students are not eligible for federal and state financial aid programs. There are, however, a number of privately funded scholarship programs for International students. One useful website for international students is www.iefa.org.
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  • What is a scholarship and how do I apply for one?
    • A scholarship is a financial award that does not have to be repaid based on the student’s performance in educational programs and/or financial need. You are encouraged to apply for UHV Scholarships by filling out the following form: UHV Scholarship Application. Only one application is necessary per aid year.
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  • I have to get my books before classes start. How can I get a book loan?
    • To request a book loan, go to your My UHV account and click on “Student Financials” then “Payment Plan” and then “Book Loan.” Book loan funds will be disbursed according to the refund preference you selected when activating your JaguarCard. For those who have selected the paper check option as a refund preference, please note checks are mailed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the check will be mailed to the mailing address listed in the personal information section on my MyUHV account.
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  • I applied late for financial aid and I don’t have the money to pay for my classes before the deadline for payment. How can I hold my classes until my financial aid is approved?
    • In order to hold your classes until your financial aid is approved, apply for a tuition loan. Go to MyUHV and click on “Student Financials” then “Payment Plan.” This loan will defer your tuition and fee payment deadline for 90 days during the fall/spring semester and 30 days during the summer.
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  • My parents don’t claim me on their tax return or pay any of my expenses. Why do I have to include their income on my FAFSA?
    • For FAFSA purposes, a student is independent only if he/she can answer “YES” to one of the following questions:

    • Are you 24 years old?
    • At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate degree?
    • As of today, are you married?
    • Do you have children who received more than half of their support from you?
    • Do you have dependents, other than your children or spouse, who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you?
    • Are both of your parent deceased, or were you a ward or dependent of the court until age 18?
    • Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
    • Are you currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces other than training?
    • Are you currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces other than training?
    • Are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state?
    • Are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state?
    • Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
    • Did a director of an emergency shelter program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
    • Did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

    If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then you will be considered “independent” for the FAFSA.
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  • My parents do not file taxes, how can I fill out my FAFSA?
    • There is a section on the FAFSA where your parents can select the “Will Not File” option. They will then be directed to the wages/earnings question where they can indicate how much they earned. If there are no earnings, they should go to the Worksheet to see if any items apply there.
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  • I am moving out of my parent's house and will support myself. Am I independent for the FAFSA?
    • You are an “independent” student if you answer “YES” to any of the following questions:
    • Are you 24 years old?
    • At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
    • As of today, are you married?
    • Do you have children who received more than half of their support from you?
    • Do you have dependents, other than your children or spouse, who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you?
    • Are both of your parents decreased, or were you a ward or dependent of the court until age 18?
    • Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
    • Are you currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces other than training?
    • Are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state?
    • Are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state?
    • Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
    • Did a director of an emergency shelter program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
    • Did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

    If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then you will be considered “independent” for the FAFSA.
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  • My parents work out of the country. They don’t file U.S. tax returns. How do I indicate that on my FAFSA?
    • If your parents filed a foreign return, they will convert all figures to U.S. dollars, using the exchange rate that is in effect today. Daily exchange rates can be viewed at the Federal Reserve Statistical Release Website.
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  • Who can I include in my household size? May I include my significant other?
    • Independent students may only include their spouse and/or dependents for whom they provide more than 50% support during the year. Dependent students must include their parents and any persons for whom their parents provide more than 50% support during the year.
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  • What if my financial situation has changed since I filled out my FAFSA?
    • If your family income will change for the coming year, you may fill out a “Special Consideration Form” by going to the following link: www.uhv.edu/ofa/. This form needs to be submitted to the UHV Financial Aid Office after you file your FAFSA and complete all your documentation supporting the special circumstances. You may fax this to 361-580-5555. Based upon the information you provide, the Financial Aid staff may use estimated income to determine eligibility for programs. Adjusted Gross Income or the student's Cost of Attendance budget can also be reduced because of loss of income, unusual medical expenses, K-12 school tuition costs, the support of an extended family member that does not reside with the family, or unusual debt related to a bankruptcy, adoption, divorce, etc.
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  • I completed my FAFSA over four weeks ago, but have not heard anything. What is the next step?
    • If you have not received a Student Aid Report (SAR), you should call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID. You will have to provide them with your date of birth and Social Security number so that your identity can be verified. You can also write to: Federal Student Aid Programs P. O. Box 4038 Washington, DC 52243-4038. The Office of Financial Aid corresponds with financial aid applicants via his/her UHV student email account. Students are encouraged to check their email on a weekly basis. Students can also view his/her financial aid status in MyUHV Self-Service.
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  • I lost my tax information. What should I do?
    • You can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a free copy of your tax information. If a tax preparer submitted your taxes for you, contact him or her to get a copy of what was submitted.
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  • I did not file a tax return last year because my income was too low. Can I still submit a FAFSA?
    • Yes. You can still apply for financial aid using the FAFSA even if you did not file a tax return because your income was too low. When filing out the FAFSA, you must indicate that you did not file taxes. You must also indicate how much you earned for the year.
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  • What is an award notification letter?
    • An Award Notification Letter is a letter notifying financial aid applicants of the types and amounts of aid offered, as well as the responsibility and conditions of each award. UHV sends financial aid notifications to the student’s UHV email account.
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  • Do I have to accept my loans again for the spring?
    • If, at the beginning of the school year, you accepted your loans for the fall and spring semesters, you do not need to accept them again. However, any time a new loan is added to the student’s financial aid package, the student must accept, modify or decline the award in MyUHV.
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  • How are students selected for Verification?
    • Students are selected at random or by system edits at the U.S. Department of Education. If you are selected for verification, you must submit tax returns, W-2s, and other proof of data, such as a Schedule C or F, provided on the FAFSA. A quick response to any request for documentation will help expedite the process.
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  • What does SAP stand for?
    • SAP stands for Satisfactory Academic Progress. In order to receive Financial Aid, there are certain rules and regulations that you must abide by, such as getting good grades, and staying enrolled in classes. These rules and regulations are the basis for a college’s Satisfactory Academic Policy. If you fall below the GPA required or withdraw from too many classes, you will be put on probation and Financial Aid will put stipulations that must be met. If you do not meet the stipulations required, you will be suspended and will not be given financial aid at all. UHV’s Satisfactory Academic Progress stipulations are:

      Grade Point Average Attempted vs. Completed Hours Ratio Maximum Time Frame
    Undergraduates 2.00 62% 170 attempted hours
    Post-baccalaureate 2.00 62% 100 attempted hours
    Graduates 3.00 67% 72 attempted hours

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