FAFSA/TASFA
Financial Aid
This page contains information related to FAFSA and TASFA. To receive need based financial aid all students must complete the FAFSA (Federal Aid) or TASFA (State Aid). Please note that the financial aid window will open in January '24 of the students' current Senior year. In order for the FAFSA/TASFA to be completely filled out and submitted as required, the student's parents' or guardians' financial tax information from the previous year must be included.
The TASFA/FAFSA or an OPT OUT form is required for graduation.
Some universities also require a CCS profile: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
CCS On-Line Application: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ Helpful resource that gives families an overview of important financial planning terms and how to assess current need of funding for college.
Provide some basic information to estimate your eligibility for federal student aid.
Texas Reality Check will show you how much your living expenses will cost, and the amount of money you will need to earn to pay for them. https://texasrealitycheck.com/
How to Use Net Price Calculators - Figuring out what college will cost can be tricky, but these guides can help you get the best estimates.
10 Things to Know About Net Price Calculators What Does Net Price Mean? 4 Things You Need for an Accurate Calculation
TASFA
Should you complete the TASFA?
Please keep in mind that undocumented Texas residents do not qualify for the FAFSA and therefore, should complete the TASFA in order to receive financial aid.
For questions, contact Financial Aid Services at 888-311-8881 or CONTACT US.
LONE STAR COLLEGE TASFA Help:
Call 281-290-2700 with your LSC ID number.
or
Texas Financial Aid Information Center for assistance at 1-888-311-8881
SUBMIT TASFA to Lone Star College: facc@lonestar.edu but it will not be processed until the student submits proof of graduation and has registered for at least 6 credit hours.
Scholarships for TASFA students:
Golden Door Scholars lights the way for undocumented students to invest in their education and achieve their career goals beyond what they might imagine.
FAFSA
Changes coming to the FAFSA
Texas State Deadlines
March 15, 2024
For priority consideration, submit your application by March 15, 2024. Additional forms may be required. Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines. Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend.
Five Step Process (Class of 2024 use 2022 taxes)
PRIOR TO COMPLETION: STUDENT and ONE PARENT create an FSA ID to serve as an electronic signature.
You will need your: Social Security number, full name, date of birth, email address or mobile phone number. *Providing a mobile phone number and/or email address that you have access to will make it easier to log in to ED online systems and allow additional account recovery options.
You will create a memorable username and password, and complete challenge questions and answers so you can retrieve your account information if you forget it.
Important: A Social Security number, email address, and mobile phone number can only be associated with one FSA ID. If you share an email address with someone else, then only one of you will be able to use that email address to create an FSA ID.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) fafsa.gov and the financial aid College Scholarship Service (CCS) if required.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated by the U.S. Department of Education. The SAI eligibility index number is what a college or career school's financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school. This demonstrates the financial NEED of the family for aid. NOTE: The number in college is no longer factored into the SAI.
A Student Submission Summary (SSS) is an eligibility overview generated and is sent to the colleges as requested by the student. Students should verify that the SSS was received by each college/university applied to.
Colleges use the SSS to put together a Financial Aid Package that usually includes scholarships/ grants, and/or loans and/or work-study that is usually emailed to the student for acceptance. If WORK STUDY is an option at the college/university, it is now automatically considered as an aid option to offer.
The student compares financial aid award packages and accepts or declines with written or verbal communication. Decoding your Financial Aid handout attached below.
The FAFSA should be completed no later than March 15th although there is not a deadline. Please remember, that the sooner you submit your FAFSA, the better your chances are to receive larger financial aid packages from colleges and universities.
What is the FSA ID.mp4
College For All Texans Financial Aid
Find out more about the Texas Application For Student Aid
Consumer Financial Bureau Bhttp://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/
Major Choices
http://www.aie.org/paying-for-college/cost-of-attendance/major-choices/index.cfm
Most students need to take out federal student loans in order to pay for college. But how might borrowing for college affect your bottom line after graduation?