Checklist

Completing your financial aid application is a Texas high school graduation requirement, but more importantly, it is your gateway to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and low-interest loans for college, university, or technical school.

Which Form Do You Complete?

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Complete this form if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Submit your application online at StudentAid.gov.

• TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid): Complete this form if you are a Texas resident who is ineligible for federal financial aid but qualifies under state residency rules.

Key Steps for Texas Seniors:

1. Create Your FSA ID: Both the student and at least one parent/guardian need to create an account at StudentAid.gov before filling out the FAFSA.

2. Gather Required Documents: Have Social Security numbers, prior-prior year tax returns, W-2 forms, and asset records ready.

3. Submit Early: Aim to submit by the Texas state priority deadline to maximize your chances for state and institutional aid.

4. Complete the Graduation Requirement: Ensure you submit confirmation of your application (or an official opt-out waiver signed by a parent/guardian) to your high school counselor.

Remember: Applying for financial aid is completely FREE. Never pay any fee or website to complete your FAFSA or TASFA!

Naviance is the central hub for managing your college application materials, tracks, and official documents.

Key Steps to Apply via Naviance:

• Add Colleges to Your List: Navigate to Colleges > Colleges I'm Applying To and click the pink + button to search and add every school you plan to apply to.

• Match Common App Accounts: If you apply through the Common Application, complete your FERPA waiver on Common App, then click Match Accounts on the Colleges I'm Applying To page in Naviance using the same email address.

• Request Official Transcripts: Under Colleges I'm Applying To, select Add & Request Transcript for each school to instruct your counselor to send your official academic records.

• Request Letters of Recommendation: Go to Colleges > Apply to College > Letters of Recommendation, click Add Request, and select your teacher or counselor from the dropdown list.

Tip: Always ask teachers in person or via email before submitting formal recommendation requests in Naviance, and give them at least two weeks before your earliest application deadline!

How to Request Transcripts in Naviance

Official high school transcripts must be requested directly through your Naviance account so your counselor can send them to your prospective colleges or programs.

Steps to Request Your Transcript:

1. Log into Naviance and navigate to the Colleges tab.

2. Click on Colleges I'm Applying To.

3. Locate the college you need a transcript for, or click the pink + button to add a new school to your list.

4. Click Request Transcript next to the specific school name.

5. Select the transcript type (usually Initial for college applications or Mid-Year/Final when requested later) and click Request and Finish.

Important Note: Please submit your transcript requests at least two weeks before your application deadlines to give your counselor adequate time to process and upload your official records.