FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID
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Securing financial aid is a crucial step in planning for your college and career next steps.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA) are the forms you need to fill out to get financial aid from the federal and/or state government to help pay for college.
Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid—and how much they’ll get. This money is awarded on a first come first serve basis.
All Seniors MUST complete a financial aid application for graduation (FAFSA, TASFA, or an OPT-OUT form) per the Texas Education Agency.
Help is Available! The College & Career Center is here to help you understand your financial aid options and complete key financial aid forms and scholarship applications. RISD will host multiple Financial Aid Nights, led in English and Spanish, to assist families with this process. The Texas Priority Deadline for FAFSA is January 15.
WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN?
WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN?
FAFSA and TASFA open around October 1. Parents can begin preparing for FAFSA/TASFA by locating the following information:
FAFSA vs. TASFA: Which One is Right For Me?
FAFSA vs. TASFA: Which One is Right For Me?
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):
Who it's for: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens.
What it gets you: Federal grants (like Pell Grants), federal student loans, federal work-study, and usually state and institutional aid too.
How to apply: Online at studentaid.gov. You and one parent (if you're dependent) will need to create an FSA ID first.
TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid):
Who it's for: Texas residents who are NOT eligible to fill out the FAFSA (often undocumented students or those with specific visa types). You still have to meet Texas residency requirements.
What it gets you: State-based financial aid and institutional aid from Texas colleges.
How to apply: It's often a paper form or an electronic version. Please ask your college & career advisor or school counselor for help.
Key Tip: Don't fill out both! If you're eligible for FAFSA, complete that one. If not, then explore TASFA.
FAFSA / TASFA Submission Graduation Requirement
FAFSA / TASFA Submission Graduation Requirement
Financial aid applications inform postsecondary institutions’ decisions about student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional funds. Financial aid awards can help students pay for their educational expenses after high school.
Each high school senior in a Texas public school district or open-enrollment charter school must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or submit an "OPT-OUT" form as a state requirement for graduation.
The Texas Priority Deadline for FAFSA is January 15.
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