Scholarships and Fellowships: Cullen College of Engineering

Criteria Used for Awarding Competitive Scholarships

• Academic record in undergraduate program, the quality of the undergraduate program, the reputation of the academic institution and any previous other academic experience
• Graduate record examination results
• Letters of recommendation
• Job experience
• Publications
• Research Interests and research statements
• Research Experience
• Journal Publications
• Poster and oral presentation record/evidence

Presidential Fellowships

The Presidential/Cullen/Ehrhardt Fellowships are intended to assist departments or programs in enhancing quality by providing funds to recruit outstanding students.  The Fellowship program provides funds to match or exceed financial assistance packages offered by other institutions.  Only students of exceptional caliber who represent extraordinary recruitment opportunities will receive these fellowships.

Eligibility

The two-year fellowships are available for outstanding students who are entering graduate or professional programs at the University of Houston in the fall semester.  Preference is given to those whose degree objective is the doctorate.  The potential for academic excellence is the main criteria for selection.  Students must meet minimum full-time enrollment (12 hours) and 3.0 GPA to maintain the fellowship each semester.

Nomination Process

The faculty/committee of the individual graduate programs has the primary responsibility for the selection of candidates for admission to these programs and the nomination of individuals for the competitive fellowships.  Typically the criteria utilized for these decisions focus on the prior educational attainment of the applicant, demonstrated interest in and preparation for the course of study, and evidence of the applicant’s ability to successfully matriculate in the program.  These decisions, by their very nature, require a comprehensive review of the multiple factors by the faculty/committee charged with selecting students for admission and/or the awarding of competitive fellowships.

Graduate Tuition Fellowships (GTF)

The Graduate Tuition Fellowship provides funding to assist in defraying cost of in-state tuition of up to 9 credit hours per semester and up to 6 credit hours in the summer  (if required to enroll)  for qualified Ph.D. students, who are in good academic standing.  Guidelines for UH Cullen College of Engineering GTFs are as follows:

1. The GTF is intended for Ph.D. students. 
2. The GTF qualifies a student for in-state tuition.
3. The College requires Ph.D. students to enroll for 9 hours. The GTF will cover up to 6 hours of enrollment during the Summer semester if a student is required to enroll.
4. A student receiving the GTF must consult with his/her departmental Director of Graduate Studies regarding enrollment requirements (reduced load during graduating semester, summer semester registration, etc.) To be considered for a GTF, the following selection priorities are in place:
   • First priority will be given to Cullen College of Engineering graduate students supported by external grants/contracts from the home department or a Cullen College of Engineering faculty member.
   • Second priority will be given to Ph.D. students who are receiving other departmental support (TA, GA, IA, etc.).
   • Students who are supported outside the Cullen College of Engineering as a TA, IA or GA will not be eligible for the GTF.
   • In order to continue GTF, a PhD student must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least a 3.00. In addition, GTF recipents must show satisfactory research and timely progress in completing the degree requirements as defined by the enrolling graduate program.
5. Department Chairs will submit a proposed list to the Dean based on the above priorities.
6. After all department lists are received, a Selection Committee, as appointed by the Dean, will review the requests and make a final recommendation to the Dean.The award of GTF is subject to the funds available to the College during a given year. 
7. The Dean will notify the Department Chairs of students selected, and the Department Chair will provide official notification to the student.

The time limit for GTF for a student entering the PhD program at the University of Houston with a Master’s degree is four (4) academic years. Students entering the PhD program directly after a baccalaureate program cannot qualify for the GTF for more than six (6) academic years.