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 Jessica Timpson at jessica.timpson@austin.utexas.edu.
Program Support:
| Financial Support (as funding allows):
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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
Of the 32 students in HHH in 2025, 11 (or 34%) are foster care alumni. In 2022-2023, over 280 students at UT Austin identified themselves as financially independent, and approximately 10% of those students also used the foster care tuition waiver.
Student Graduation Success
2023-2024: 11 graduates in the class of 2024.
2022-2023: 7 out of 9 seniors graduated.
Emergency Aid and Scholarships
$26,475 awarded in academic scholarships.
$5,412 in housing and healthcare assistance.
2022-2023 Report:
$11,250 awarded in academic scholarships.
$11,037 in housing and healthcare assistance.
$1,500 study abroad funds granted.
Horns Helping Horns Partners
Horns Helping Horns collaborates with various campus partners to support our students.
Our partnerships include:
For more information, contact:
Jessica Timpson, LMSW (she/her)
HHH Program Coordinator
jessica.timpson@austin.utexas.edu
"I joined HHH late into my Junior year at UT, but if I could go back and join as early as possible, I most definitely would. HHH opened my world to allow me to experience what it's like to be surrounded by a like-minded community and played a major role as a support system."
- Former Horns Helping Horns Student