Tuition-Free Colleges in Houston 2025

If you're living in Houston and thinking about going to college locally, you may wonder about affordable options in your area. Specifically, you'd like to know if any tuition-free colleges or universities in Houston are available.

Some schools in Houston offer scholarships or promise programs to help eligible students cover the cost of their college education. The University of Houston and Houston Community College provide promise programs to cover tuition and fees; Rice University provides a generous financial aid package covering the majority of costs for some students; and Houston Christian University provides full-tuition scholarships for students in several STEM degree programs.

Keep reading to learn more.

Top 4 Tuition-Free Colleges Near Houston

An affordable education is possible in Houston. There are also many tuition-free online colleges in Texas. Below, we'll look at each of the schools offering free tuition opportunities to qualifying students.

University of Houston

The University of Houston is a large public university that offers more than 300 degree programs in 16 colleges. Established in 1927 as a junior college, the college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and enrolls more than 46,600 students.

This school offers the Cougar Promise Program, guaranteeing that eligible students with a family income of less than $65,000 a year will receive grants and other forms of aid fully covering tuition and mandatory fees. The program is available for first-time college students who enroll full-time and are residents of Texas.

Rice University

Rice University is a private school on a sprawling 300-acre campus. Established in 1912, the school comprises eight colleges, offers about 360 degrees, and has an enrollment of around 8,600 students. The school offers one of the most generous financial aid packages for qualifying students in the state. Those with family incomes of less than $75,000 annually receive full coverage for:

• tuition
• mandatory fees
• room and board

Those with family incomes less than $140,000 annually receive at least a full-tuition scholarship.

Houston Community College

Houston Community College is a public community college system with campuses in:

• Houston
• Greater Katy
• Missouri City
• Stafford

It is a large school system, offering associate degrees and career training programs to nearly 70,000 students. This school provides the Eagle Promise Program, a last-dollar program covering in-state, and in-district students' tuition, fees, and books. Students in the program receive additional benefits such as financial coaching sessions, priority registration, and various support services. Students must be recent high school graduates, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and enroll in at least nine credit hours per semester.

Houston Christian University

Houston Christian University is a private school affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It was established in 1960 and currently enrolls around 4,200 students.

Beginning in the fall of 2024, the school will award the Grace Hopper Scholarship, providing full-tuition coverage for students demonstrating academic excellence and pursuing STEM-related degree programs. To be eligible for the scholarships, incoming freshmen must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA; transfer students must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Students must also pursue a degree in:

• cybersecurity
• computer science
• mathematics
• information systems
• cyber engineering
• electrical engineering

How To Access Free College in Houston

So, now you have an idea of the colleges offering free higher education for many students in Houston. However, you're still wondering how to take advantage of those opportunities and cover any other costs associated with your degree. Read on for tips on making college free in Houston.

Attend a Community College

Community colleges are generally more likely to offer free tuition than four-year schools. Houston Community College is one of these schools; it provides a last-dollar promise program to help students cover their costs. Community colleges are typically much more affordable than four-year schools even if they don't offer full-tuition programs. This makes it easier for students to fully cover their costs through other means, such as financial aid and scholarships.

Apply for Financial Aid

Whether you attend a school offering free tuition or not, you'll want to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) as soon as possible before attending college. These forms help schools and government agencies determine how much financial aid you're eligible for.

The promise programs and scholarship opportunities offered by the schools in this article typically require your FAFSA or TASFA report to ensure your financial eligibility for their programs. Additionally, you may be offered other forms of financial aid after filling out these forms, such as grants, work-study programs, and student loans.

Grants and Scholarship Programs

Financial aid like grants and scholarships may also be available through private sources such as businesses and nonprofit organizations. These may be used to cover the cost of tuition and other college expenses. Some of the organizations providing scholarships to Houston-area students include:

• Houston Endowment Inc.
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Gates Millennium Scholars
• Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo

FAQs About Tuition-Free Degree Programs in Houston

If you still have questions about attending college for free in Houston, we're here to provide answers. Below, we'll discuss some frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Can Texas Residents Go to College for Free?

Yes, Texas residents can attend college for free at several schools in the state, including the schools outlined in this article. While Texas does not have a government program to provide free tuition for certain groups of students, many schools throughout the state have taken matters into their own hands to offer free college for high school graduates who meet the eligibility requirements.

Are There Any Free Community Colleges in Houston for Adult Learners?

Houston Community College provides the Eagle Promise Program to qualifying students to cover tuition, fees, and book expenses. However, these students must be recent high school graduates. The program does not appear to cover new students who graduated more than a year before enrolling.

Are There Any Income-Based Tuition-Free College Programs in Houston?

The government doesn't provide any programs to cover students' tuition; however, two schools in Houston offer income-based financial assistance. The University of Houston provides free tuition and fees for students whose families earn less than $65,000 a year. Rice University offers free tuition for students from families earning less than $140,000 a year.