National Merit Scholarship (Honors College)
ListedCollege program
- Award
- Tuition and required fees for four years (five years for architecture), plus a one-time $1,000 undergraduate research stipend and a one-time $2,000 study abroad stipend.
- Timeline
- Nov 2, 2026For fall 2027 university scholarship priority, submit admission application by and supporting information by November 9, 2026. Name UH as first choice under NMSC rules: first referral group before March 1, 2027
- May 31, 2027Final first-choice receipt deadline .
- How to apply
- Be a National Merit Finalist and select the University of Houston as your first-choice institution with NMSC.
- What you'll need
- No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission
- Who can apply
- National Merit Finalists selecting UH first choice and applying for the fall immediately after high school graduation. NMSC citizenship requirements apply to entrants attending high school outside the U.S.; individual award rules still apply.
- Good to know
- Renewal: 12 credits each fall/spring, at least a 3.0 cumulative UH GPA, and 30/60/90 cumulative credits by the summers after years one/two/three. AP, dual and transfer credits count toward hours; repeat courses do not. Summer tuition is not funded. Eight semesters, or ten for architecture. UH contribution includes and adjusts for NMSC/corporate awards; aid is limited by cost of attendance, with a Pell exception.