Principals, please ask your English IV teachers (or the appropriate teacher on your campus) to communicate the new graduation requirement to seniors. Teachers may read the message below.
Getting ready to graduate? Congratulations! Graduating from high school is a major accomplishment worth celebrating. But as your high school career comes to an end, make sure you’re on track to meet all graduation requirements. Beginning with the 2021–22 school year, those requirements include submitting a financial aid application.
Why? Because Texas wants more students to get money to help pay for college or training after high school. And to get financial aid, you have to apply for it. Every year, billions of financial aid dollars go unclaimed by students, simply because they aren’t applying for aid.
If you’re thinking, “I don't need financial aid because college or training after high school isn’t for me,” think again. By the year 2030, over 60% of jobs in Texas will require some sort of training or credential beyond high school. So getting education after high school will help you compete in the Texas workforce. There are many pathways you can take to get that education and training. Financial aid can help with all of them.
The first step is to set up a Federal Student Aid ID. Look for communication soon regarding this step. After the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1, you will receive help filling it out. If you have questions, please ask the College Access Specialist or your counselor.