Universal Access

To be considered for a Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship, applicants must meet one of the following educational qualifications within the Galveston College Taxing District:

• Graduate from a public or private high school.
• Complete an approved home-school program.
• Earn a General Educational Development (GED) credential.

Scholarship eligibility is based on where the student completed their high school education or equivalent, not on where the student currently lives.

There is no deadline after graduation to apply for the Universal Access Scholarship, provided the student meets all other eligibility and participation requirements.

Applicants must also meet all applicable Galveston College admissions, enrollment, and scholarship requirements.

Questions regarding initial Universal Access eligibility should be directed to the Galveston College Financial Aid Office at 409-944-1235.

The Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship is intended to help cover tuition and required fees after other eligible financial assistance has been applied.

If a student's Federal Pell Grant or other qualifying financial assistance fully covers tuition and required fees, the Foundation's tuition commitment is considered fulfilled.

Qualifying financial assistance may include:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding
• Eligible third-party scholarships designated for tuition and required fees

If qualifying financial assistance covers only part of a student's tuition and required fees, the Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship may help cover the remaining eligible balance, subject to applicable scholarship funding limits.

Universal Access Scholarship Funding

Eligible students may receive up to $6,624 toward tuition and required fees while completing up to 60 credit hours toward an associate degree.

Students who complete an associate degree and continue into an eligible Galveston College bachelor's degree program may qualify for an additional Universal Access Scholarship award.

Students pursuing approved advanced technology certificates beyond an associate degree, such as Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) following completion of the Radiologic Technology program, may also be eligible for additional scholarship support.

Unused scholarship funds remaining after a semester or at the conclusion of a student's eligibility period are returned to the Galveston College Foundation.

UA+ Award

The UA+ Award provides additional assistance for required educational expenses beyond tuition and fees. Eligible expenses may include:

• Required textbooks
• Program equipment and tools
• Online access codes
• Required licensing or certification fees
• Other approved educational expenses

The UA+ Award provides up to $35 per semester credit hour, with a lifetime maximum of $2,100.

Students must initiate the UA+ voucher process through the Financial Aid Office and comply with all program requirements. 

New Universal Access applicants must complete the following:

1. Complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
   Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at StudentAid.gov.
   Galveston College School Code: 004972
2. Complete the Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship Application.
3. Apply for admission to Galveston College.
4. Have an active degree plan on file with the Counseling and Advising Center.
   To schedule an advising appointment, call 409-944-1220 or schedule online.
5. Submit required educational records to the Admissions Office before registration.
   This may include a final official high school transcript, GED documentation, approved home-school documentation, and any other educational records required for admission.
6. Submit any additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.

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Renewing Your Universal Access Scholarship

Students requesting Universal Access funding for a subsequent academic year must complete the renewal requirements each year.

Renewal applicants must:

1. Complete the FAFSA for the applicable academic year.
2. Maintain an active, updated degree plan.
3. Complete the Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship Application.
4. Submit any additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.
5. Continue to meet the academic and participation requirements of the scholarship.

Universal Access is not automatically renewed. Students are responsible for completing the required application and financial aid processes each academic year.

2026-2027 Priority Deadlines

Students should submit all required documents by the Financial Aid Priority Deadline to allow sufficient time for review before applicable payment deadlines.

• Fall 2026: June 9, 2026
• Spring 2027: November 9, 2026
• Summer 2027: March 30, 2027

Missing, incomplete, or insufficient documentation may delay processing of the Universal Access Scholarship.

Participation Requirements

To remain eligible for the Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship, students must:

• Be enrolled at Galveston College as either a full-time or part-time student.
• Enroll in at least 6 semester credit hours during each Fall and Spring semester.
• Enroll in at least 3 semester credit hours during the Summer semester.
• Be enrolled in an eligible academic or technical credit program listed in the Galveston College Catalog, or in an approved contact-hour program consisting of at least 360 contact hours.
• Maintain an approved degree plan on file.
• Remain in compliance with the Galveston College Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress.
• Use the scholarship allocation within five years of initial enrollment at Galveston College.

The Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship may be applied toward up to 18 semester credit hours of developmental coursework.

Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship recipients are subject to the Galveston College Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress.

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward completion of their eligible program of study. Requirements include:

• Maintaining an overall cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Successfully completing at least 75% of cumulative credit hours attempted.
• Completing the program within the applicable maximum timeframe, generally no more than 150% of the credit hours required for the program.
• Continuing to meet applicable requirements related to repeated courses, changes of major, and developmental coursework.

The Financial Aid Office reviews academic progress at the end of each semester.

Warning and Suspension

Following the first semester in which the required standards of academic progress are not met, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

A student who does not meet the Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress while on Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible for additional Universal Access funding unless eligibility is restored or an appeal is approved.

Students who lose eligibility may have the opportunity to appeal through the Galveston College Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal process.

Contact the Financial Aid Office for information about academic progress requirements, suspension, and appeals.

Recipient Responsibilities

Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship recipients are expected to participate in scholarship stewardship activities coordinated by the Galveston College Foundation.

Recipients are required to:

• Attend the President's Reception recognizing donors and scholarship recipients held during the Spring semester.
• Participate in individual and/or group photographs as needed.
• Participate in Galveston College Foundation activities and events, including visits to area schools, as needed.

Students must complete the Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship Application in addition to completing the FAFSA and other applicable requirements.

2026-2027 UNIVERSAL ACCESS APPLICATION

Scholarship and Financial Aid Questions

Galveston College Financial Aid Office
409-944-1235

finaid@gc.edu

Eligibility and Admissions Requirements

Galveston College Admissions Office
409-944-1230

admissions@gc.edu

Degree Plan and Advising

Counseling and Advising Center
409-944-1220

advising@gc.edu 

The Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of donors, businesses, foundations, and community supporters.

Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the Universal Access Community Endowment Fund may contact the Galveston College Foundation.

gmilton@gc.edu 
 409-944-1303
 409-944-1500

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