All graduating Houston ISD high school students will have guaranteed admission to the University of Houston-Downtown thanks to a new program announced by the school's leaders Feb. 17.
In a nutshell
If an HISD student graduates with at least a 2.5 grade point average, they will be accepted to UHD, HISD Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole said during HISD’s and UHD’s joint press conference.
The application fee will also be waived for students participating in this program, said Long Huynh, UHD’s vice president of enrollment management.
“This agreement creates an opportunity by removing barriers for increasing numbers of HISD students to attend UHD and earn a bachelor's degree,” Huynh said.
According to a Feb. 17 news release from UHD and HISD, the steps for the guaranteed acceptance program are:
- HISD students qualifying for the program will be notified at the beginning of their senior year.
- Interested students must apply to UHD once enrollment opens.
- If the student has maintained the required GPA, and if there is space in the degree program they wish to join, they will be accepted.
Additional standards may be required for specific UHD degree programs, according to the release.
By the numbers
In HISD’s 2026 graduating class, about 7,700 students will be eligible for automatic admission under the new program, Hole said.
“With today's ceremony, thousands of HISD seniors now have a clear guaranteed pathway to a four-year degree program and a livable wage,” Hole said. “And why does this matter? HISD and UHD share beliefs that Houston's future is Houston.”
About one-third of UHD’s “incoming freshman class” is already made up of HISD students, HISD board of trustees Secretary Paula Mendoza said. The new program will further expand access to higher education, she added.
“This program will keep Houston talent right here in Houston where our students can learn, thrive and ultimately contribute to the city they call home,” Mendoza said.
Notable quotes
“To those eligible HISD seniors who think college is for others, we want you to know today that we see your potential and we see your promise,” UHD President Loren Blanchard said. “We want you here, and we're sending that message boldly through this agreement today.”
Bethany Esparza, an HISD graduate pursuing her bachelor’s degree at UHD, said she is excited for other HISD students to attend UHD.
“I've just had nothing but good experiences here, and I'd like to thank everyone who has made the guaranteed admissions program a reality,” Esparza said. “It is truly so life-changing, and I can't wait to see HISD seniors thrive here at UHD.”
