Financial Aid-FAFSA & TASFA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid will open October 1st.
All students and at least one parent with a social security number on the tax return should each get a FSA ID before filling out their FAFSA. You will use the FSA ID each year you are in college to electronically sign and submit the FAFSA.
The FAFSA has a Data Retrieval tool that can automatically fill in information from tax returns if you wish to use it instead of entering your tax information manually.
Click HERE to begin FAFSA https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Students- use your personal email account, your school email account will be disabled after graduation!
When asked, add your cell phone number to your account!
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used to collect information to help determine eligibility for state financial aid programs that are administered by institutions of higher education in the state of Texas.
Students that are classified as a Texas Resident and who cannot apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA, (possibly no social security number) are encouraged to complete the TASFA. To review the FAFSA filing requirements, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov or visit the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend for the 2018-2019 award year.
Please note that Texas Residency can only be determined by the institution that you plan to attend. This application cannot be used to determine your state residency status or final eligibility for state aid.
Important Financial Aid Information: Know the difference!
Loans – Refers to money that you or your parents borrow for your college education that must be paid back. Educational loans are usually offered at lower interest rates than other types of loans offered by banks and other private lending institutions. Some loans require that you start paying the principle back immediately. You pay a certain amount each month until the loan is paid off. Other loans permit you to wait until after you graduate to start paying the balance back. Lending institutions include the state and federal government which offers the Perkins Loan, the Stafford Loan, and the Plus Loan. Your eligibility for specific loans is based upon the responses that you provide on the FAFSA form. Like other loans if you default on (fail to repay) a government loan, your credit rating and your ability to receive future loans (such as a new car loan or a mortgage loan for a home) are negatively affected. Defaulting on a loan could also result in the withholding of federal income tax refunds.
Grants – Constitute money that you are given based on financial need only that never needs repayment. A grant is basically money that is ear-marked for education expenses for students who need help paying college expenses. Various organizations, colleges, universities and corporations, including the U S and state governments offer grants. The information you provide on the FAFSA determines your eligibility for a grant. You must maintain certain specific criteria to stay eligible for the grant money. If you fail to maintain your eligibility, you forfeit the grant money and in some cases must pay a refund. Each grant will come with its own unique set of guidelines. Well-known grants include the Pell Grant and the Family Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
Scholarships – Provide free money that is based on academic achievement, leadership skills, volunteerism, and/or financial need. You don't have to return/pay back scholarship money. Individuals and corporations may offer scholarships and each may set their own eligibility criteria. They pick the recipient by evaluating the responses on an application that they prepare for applicants. The person or organization also determines how, as well as when, the money is paid to the scholarship recipient (winner).
The Work Study Program - Allows students to work at a job on the school campus. The salary that the student earns can be used for educational expenses.