2019 UH CS REU
FAQ

Please contact us if you have more questions.

General Questions

  1. How much is the stipend?
    The stipend is $5,000 given incrementally throughout the 10 weeks. You will be provided free housing and a comprehensive meal plan on campus.


  2. When do I find out if I am accepted?
    Applicants will be notified before May 1.


  3. When do I find out what projects I will be working on?
    REU students, faculty, and projects are closely matched after participants have been accepted. The REU participant will be notified of this match as soon as possible. Each student's major, research preference, and experience are taken into careful consideration regarding project match.


  4. What will I be doing during the 10 weeks?
    You will be working on your research project with your faculty mentor, attending our weekly REU seminar series, and interacting with other summer science research students in other programs formally and informally, such as on field trips and special events/symposia. Please note that this REU program provides you a full-time research position, an REU participant may not be allowed to register and attend any class at any university or online.


  5. What are the application requirements?
    Prospective REU participants must complete the REU application, downloadable from the web, forward all updated official college transcripts as well as two letters of recommendation. No prior research experience is required. Participating students need to be enrolled in an accredited U.S. university or college and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. We will give preference to rising seniors and juniors, but freshmen and sophomores will also be considered if they have a strong record. High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate. The applicants need to have a solid mathematical background, which includes calculus and knowledge of basic algorithms and data structures. They also need to be proficient in C++ or Java.


  6. Can a permanent resident applicant apply for your program?
    No, if you are still in a process for a permanent resident, you are not qulified to apply.


  7. If I have a working permit, can I apply for your program?
    No, participating students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.


  8. I am an international student. I understand that participating students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. May I know if international students could take advantage of the REU program at University of Houston while not taking stipend?
    In general, we don't accept foreign students into the program. If a student's current university is willing to sponsor the student by paying for the expenses, we may make an exception.


  9. I have a bachelor degree and have decided to switch my career path to computer science. Can I apply for your program?
    Any student who has an undergraduate degree that is substantially different from Computer Science is eligible for the summer REU program.

Housing Questions

  1. What about housing?
    Housing will be coordinated and provided for REU participants on-campus. UH porvides different kinds of housing and for this year, REU students will live in Moody Towers. More details about housing will be updated.


  2. Do I have to pay for the housing?
     No, the housing will be provided and paid by the REU program. The bill will be handled by the REU program directly.


  3. What's the check-in and check-out time for the dorm?
     Please check-in between 8am-5pm on Sunday (the day before the program starts) and , check-out after 5pm on the last day of the program (Friday) or the next day (Saturday). Please e-mail the REU assistant about your fligh infomation and your approximated check-in time for the dorm.

  4. What about food?
    Food is provided for REU participants on campus. Each meal is usually 'all you can eat' with a lot of variety.


  5. Do I have to pay for the food?
    No,you will receive a cougar-one card upon your arrival, and you can use this card to purchase the meal on campus. However, it may take some time for the cougar-one card to be ready to use. So we recommend you to bring some money upon your arrival for some initial expenses such as food for the first few days.


  6. What dining options do I have?
    Dining options can be found at the University of Houston Dining web site.


  7. Are there any available fitness facilities on campus?
    Our REU students can use the Wellness Recreation Center on campus for a small fee. This is a pro-rated rate. The Department of Campus Recreation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for University of Houston students and all we serve by providing comprehensive facilities, programs and services. More information will be provided during the orientation.


    Stipend Questions

    1. How much is the stipend?
      The stipend is $5,000 given incrementally throughout the 10 weeks.


    2. How do I get paid?
      The stipend will be paid by check. It will be divided into three checks. You will be asked to fill out the information forms upon your arrival. The first check will be paid as soon as the forms are processed. However, paperwork may take time to process. So, we suggest you to bring some money for the initial expenses upon your arrival for persoanl use. The second check will be paid in the middle of the program. The third check will be issued at the last date.


    3. What can be reimbursed?
      here are things that can be reimbursed with up to $400 in total:

      -Airfare, train tickets

      -Shuttle, taxi and bus from airport to UH


    4. How do I claim the reimbursement?
      Please submit the travel purchase receipt upon your arrival and a check will be issued. This may take some time to process. More information will be provided during the orientation.


    5. Does UH issue tax form 1099-MISC for my stipend?
      Based on the NSF statement (Section III Award Information): "The REU experience is a research training experience paid via a stipend, not employment (work) paid with a salary or wage. In this case, the student's training consists of closely mentored independent research. For administrative convenience, organizations may choose to issue payments to REU students using their normal payroll system. The funds received by students may be taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Please consult the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for additional information. Students might find the IRS's "Tax Information for Students" website (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students/students-page-higher-education) to be particularly helpful."

      In summary, UH does not issue 1099 for your stipend.


    Travel Questions

    1. What about travel expenses?
      Round-trip travel expenses to and from the summer program will be reimbursed up to $400 in qualified expenses. You will have to submit the travel purchase receipt to the REU committee once you are at the UH. More information will be provided during the orientation.


    2. How many airports in Houston?
      There are two airports in Houston:
      Hobby Airport (HOU)
      George Bush Intervational Airport (IAH)


    3. What are the directions from the airport to the campus?
      From William P. Hobby Airport
      1. Follow the exit signs from airport to I-45 North
      2. Stay on I-45 North
      3. Exit Elgin-Lockwood Cullen (44a)
      4. Turn Left on Elgin at the stoplight
      5. Stay on Elgin as it curves to the right
      6. Turn left into UH entrance #18 at the stoplight

      View Larger Map

      From George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH)
      1. Follow the exit signs from the airport to I-45 South
      2. Stay on I-45 South through downtown Houston
      3. Exit Spur 5 South
      4. Turn right on University Dr. (the first stoplight)
      5. At the next stoplight you are across the street from UH - this is UH Entrance #1

      View Larger Map


    4. How do I take shuttle from the airport to UH?
      From William P. Hobby Airport
      The shuttle information can be found at the Hobby Airport (HOU) web site.
      From George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH)
      The shuttle information can be found at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) web site. 
    Acknowledgement: This project is sponsored by NSF under awards NSF-0453498, NSF-0755500, NSF-1062954, NSF-1359199 and NSF-1659755. Special thanks to the following UH offices for providing financial support to the project: Department of Computer Science; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies; VP for Research; and the Provost's Office. The University of Houston is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Women and underrepresented minority students are strongly encouraged to apply.