Financial Aid Requirement

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, beginning with students enrolled in 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:  

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);

• Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); or

• Submit a signed opt-out form.

Laws and Rules

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature established the new requirement for Texas students to complete a financial aid application (or formally opt out) in order to graduate.  The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted rules related to the new requirement in January 2021.  

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The FAFSA is being update for the 2024-2025 school year. We are expecting the new page to be openned up sometime in December, 2023. We will meet on this in January, 2024.

You should never pay someone to fill out the FAFSA for you. It is free and everyone can do it.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID CHECK LIST:

•Apply for admission to your college choices.

•Apply for TWO (student and parent) FSA ID (this replaced the PIN number)

•Find out the Financial Aid priority deadline and Scholarship deadline at your college (usually available on the college web site).

•Apply for any scholarships available to you.

•Complete Parent and Student (if necessary) Tax Return Forms.

•Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov and sign with both FSA user name/password at least a week before the Financial Aid priority deadline at your college.

•Check to make sure your college financial aid department has received your information and ask the following:

• Do you need anymore information to complete my financial aid package?

• Do I need to do anything else to be considered for the TEXAS Grant?

• How do I apply for my student loan? (If you need to get one.)

• How do I apply for a work-study job? (If you want a job on campus.)

TIPS:

•Always file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you need help, see your counselor. DO NOT MAIL IN YOUR FAFSA!

•The College cannot download your FAFSA information if you have not applied for admission or if you did not list them on your FAFSA.

•List all possible college choices on your FAFSA (up to 10).

•Tax Forms need to be completed if possible, but do not have to be filed with the IRS in order to show them completed on the FAFSA. Be sure to save copies of all TAX forms and W-2's, you may need them for verification at the college.

•If both FSA accounts are used, the college should have FAFSA information in 3 days. If a signature page is mailed it will be approximately 7 days.

•Keep FSA accounts (user name/password) in a safe place. They will be used every year on your FAFSA and to correct or check on your information.

•Even if your college does not have a financial aid deadline, most start awarding money March 1st. To be first in line, be sure all information needed by financial aid is turned in by the end of February.

•If you are told you are picked for verification, complete all required information immediately. You will receive no funds until you do so. REMEMBER: The verification is the final step...make sure it is correct. Mistakes on the verification may not be able to be corrected!!!