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The Ultimate SHSU Financial Aid Contact Guide: Phone Number, Email, & 5 Ways To Speed Up Your FAFSA

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Navigating the complexities of college funding at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) often starts with one critical piece of information: the right contact number. As of today, December 26, 2025, the official and most direct phone number for the SHSU Financial Aid and Scholarships Office is (936) 294-1774. This guide provides a complete, up-to-date breakdown of every way to reach the Bearkat financial team, ensuring you get the answers you need on FAFSA processing, scholarships, and loan disbursement without unnecessary delays.

Getting in touch with the Financial Aid Office is essential for resolving holds, understanding your award letter, or clarifying Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Don't waste time searching outdated directories; use the comprehensive contact information and strategic advice below to streamline your financial aid process this academic year.

All Official SHSU Financial Aid Contact Information (2025/2026)

For the most efficient service, SHSU encourages students to use all available contact methods, depending on the complexity of their inquiry. The phone number is best for immediate, simple questions, while email is ideal for questions requiring detailed documentation or follow-up.

  • Primary Phone Number: (936) 294-1774
  • Official Email Address: HelpABearkat@shsu.edu
  • Physical Location: Academic Building III, Suite 110, Huntsville, TX
  • General Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (It is highly recommended to call right at 7:30 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. to avoid peak call volumes.)
  • Mailing Address:

    Financial Aid and Scholarships Office
    Sam Houston State University
    Box 2289
    Huntsville, TX 77341-2289

Pro Tip: When calling the main line, have your Bearkat ID number ready. This will significantly speed up the verification process and allow the representative to access your student account quickly.

5 Critical Steps to Speed Up Your Financial Aid Processing at SHSU

Many student inquiries to the Financial Aid Office are related to processing times and disbursement dates. While the office works diligently, you can take proactive steps to ensure your funds are processed as quickly as possible. Following these steps can often eliminate the need to call the main phone number entirely.

1. Hit the FAFSA Priority Date (March 15th)

The single most important deadline for SHSU financial aid is the priority date, which is March 15th of each year. Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by this date are considered for the maximum amount of aid, including limited campus-based funds like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).

  • Action Item: Complete your FAFSA application in October (or as soon as it opens) for the best chance at maximum aid consideration.
  • SHSU School Code: 003606

2. Master the Scholarships4Kats Application

Don't rely on federal aid alone. SHSU uses a centralized scholarship system called Scholarships4Kats. Completing this single application automatically matches you to hundreds of institutional and departmental scholarships.

  • Action Item: Log in to the Scholarships4Kats portal immediately after completing your FAFSA. The priority deadline for scholarships often aligns closely with the FAFSA deadline.

3. Understand Your Award Acceptance and Disbursement Timeline

Once you receive your award package (which includes grants, scholarships, and loans like the Federal Direct Loan Program or PLUS Loans), you must formally accept the offers through your MySam portal. SHSU typically begins processing your accepted awards for disbursement approximately 2–3 days after you accept them.

  • Action Item: Check your MySam account frequently for your official award letter and accept the aid you wish to use immediately. This is a common bottleneck for students waiting for funds.

4. Stay Compliant with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

A major reason students lose eligibility or need to contact the office is a failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). To remain eligible for most federal and state aid at SHSU, you must:

  • Maintain a minimum SHSU GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours (including transfer hours).

If you fall below these standards, you will receive a notification and may need to file a SAP appeal. Contacting the office about a SAP appeal requires more than a simple phone call; you will need to submit documentation as outlined on the SHSU Financial Aid website.

5. Know the Difference Between Financial Aid and Billing (Cashier's Office)

Students often confuse financial aid questions with billing questions. The Financial Aid Office (936-294-1774) handles FAFSA, loans, grants, and scholarships. The Cashier's Office handles tuition and fee payments, payment plans, and refunds. If your question is about paying a bill or receiving a refund of excess funds, you may need to contact the Cashier’s Office instead.

  • Related Entities: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Unsubsidized Loan, College Access Loan, Cost of Attendance, Student Budgets, Veteran's Benefits Assistance.

Common Financial Aid Inquiries and Next Steps

Before you call the SHSU Financial Aid phone number, review these common questions. Many issues can be resolved online, saving you valuable time.

"Why hasn't my financial aid disbursed yet?"

If you accepted your awards 2–3 days ago, the next step is to check your student account for any outstanding requirements. Common holds include "Verification" (you need to submit tax documents), "SAP Status" (you are no longer meeting academic standards), or "Entrance Counseling/MPN" (required for first-time loan borrowers). Check your MySam To-Do List first, then call the office if the issue is unclear.

"I need a short-term loan."

SHSU offers short-term loans to assist with immediate educational expenses. These typically have a short repayment period (maximum of 90 days) and a 10 percent interest rate. You must apply for these loans directly through the university's system, not by calling the main number.

"Who handles my Veteran's Benefits?"

While the Financial Aid Office oversees federal aid, specific assistance for Veteran's Benefits is often handled by a dedicated representative. You can find the VA representative in the Veteran's Resource Center, which is also located in Academic Building III. Always confirm the contact information for this specific service, as their direct line may differ from the main financial aid number.

The Ultimate SHSU Financial Aid Contact Guide: Phone Number, Email, & 5 Ways to Speed Up Your FAFSA
shsu financial aid phone number
shsu financial aid phone number

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