Universal Access Scholarships

Students must be enrolled as a regular student in courses that count towards their active eligible degree or certificate program. Preplans are not considered eligible programs. Other courses, including prerequisites, cannot be used to determine enrollment status unless they are required remedial courses.

UA Community Endowment Scholarships

The Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship is a nationally recognized program that the community of Galveston established to provide higher education and training opportunities for its citizens at Galveston College.

Since Fall 2001, Galveston College Foundation, an independent 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization through its Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship program has ensured that every eligible graduate of a Galveston high school, home school program, and/or GED recipient has the opportunity to attend Galveston College to pursue a two-year associate degree, take university transfer classes and/or receive technical training through a workforce development program.

An applicant must be a resident of the Galveston College taxing district, as determined by the Admissions Office, for a minimum of 12 months prior to graduation or GED completion, and continue to be a resident of the Galveston College taxing district while enrolled at Galveston College and receiving Universal Access funds.

A recipient must be a resident of the state of Texas and a United States citizen or an alien who has filed with the proper federal immigration authorities a declaration of intention to become a citizen (Texas Education Code 54.057) allowing these students to qualify for resident tuition rates.

Beginning in Spring 2021, eligible UA students will receive Non-Tuition Educational Expenses Fund (UA+) awards of $35.00 per semester hour with a lifetime limit of $2,100. UA+ is a multi-year non-tuition educational expenses scholarship (awarded on a semester by semester basis) to aid students during the tenure of their academic career to purchase books, related program equipment and tools including internet access codes, etc. Students must initiate the UA+ award voucher through the Financial Aid office and comply with the requirements as stated in the application. Additionally, beginning in fall 2019 Universal Access Community Endowment alumni in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at the College are eligible for UA+ funds. Beginning in fall 2022, eligible UA Scholarship recipients will receive an average of $104.40 per semester credit hour to cover tuition and fees. The lifetime limit is $6,264. Unused funds in any given semester or over the lifetime of the available award will be returned to the Galveston College Foundation. Upon enrollment for the Universal Access Community Endowment award, a student’s allocation must be used within a five-year period.

Eligibility and participation guidelines for Galveston College Foundation’s Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship are available on request from the Financial Aid Office and online at GC.EDU. For more information, contact the Galveston College Foundation at 409-944-1303.

To see other named and endowed scholarships available and complete an application go to: https://gc.edu/financial-aid/available-aid/scholarships/galveston-college-scholarships.php

For financial aid assistance, contact the Financial Aid Office at 409-944-1235.