About Horns Helping Horns
Horns Helping Horns (HHH) serves financially independent students and foster care alumni who arrive at UT Austin with little or no family support and very limited resources. Every HHH student is unique, therefore the program strives to provide social and educational opportunities, a network of financial and nonfinancial support, and mentorship based on individual needs.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at deanofstudents@austin.utexas.edu.
Program Support:
- Advising and support during semesterly check-ins
- Mentorship program
- Monthly meetings with professional development focus
- Social programming
- Referrals to on and off-campus services
- Community service opportunities
Financial Support (as funding allows):
- Semesterly scholarships
- Health and well-being services
- Graduation regalia through University Co-op
- Housing assistance, including the SIL program
- Study abroad and student enrichment
- Technology resources
- RecSports TeXercise Pass
Horns Helping Horns Origin Story
The Horns Helping Horns (HHH) Program was founded in 2008 by Kim Heilbrun, who recognized a critical gap in support for students who were alumni of the foster care system, emancipated youth and students who had experienced homelessness. Heilbrun envisioned a program that would provide these students with academic resources, community and mentorship throughout their time as a university student.
With a focus on providing financial support for housing assistance, health and well-being services, and initiatives such as study abroad and professional development, Heilbrun envisioned students having the ability to participate in opportunities across campus, despite financial barriers. What started as a small initiative, serving just a handful of students, has grown into a robust program that supports an average of 30 to 35 students each year, continuing to build on its foundation of mentorship and financial support.
Today, Horns Helping Horns remains a testament to Heilbrun's vision, providing foster care alumni, emancipated youth and students who have experienced homelessness with the tools, resources, and sense of community they need to thrive at UT Austin and beyond.
Our Impact
On average, HHH usually has a cohort of 30-35 students in the program each year. Nearly all students in HHH graduate on time and the majority of students in the program have a faculty or staff mentor on campus that they meet with regularly
Average GPA
- 2023-2024: 3.11
- 2022-2023: 3.27
Student Graduation Success
- 2023-2024
- 11 of 14 seniors graduated on time
- 2022-2023
- 9 of 10 seniors graduated on time
Emergency Aid and Scholarships
- 2023-2024 Report:
- $26,475 awarded in academic scholarships.
- $5,412 in housing and healthcare assistance.
- $3,000 study abroad/professional development funds granted.
- 2022-2023 Report:
- $11,250 awarded in academic scholarships.
- $11,037 in housing and healthcare assistance.
- $1,500 study abroad/professional development funds granted.
Horns Helping Horns Partners
Horns Helping Horns collaborates with various campus partners to support our students.
Our partnerships include:
- Counseling and Mental Health Center
- Legal Services for Students
- RecSports
- Spark
- Student Outreach and Support
- Texas One Stop
- University Co-Op
- University Health Services
For more information, contact:
deanofstudents@austin.utexas.edu