Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
What is the FAFSA & TASFA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for a college or university. That being said, submitting the FAFSA is the most important thing your can do if you want financial aid. The FAFSA is FREE. You will not need to pay any fees.
TASFA stands for the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. It is form to determine eligibility for state financial aid. Eligible students are classified as a Texas resident who cannot apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA). This form is also FREE.
**As of January 2021, the State of Texas has mandated that all graduating high school seniors MUST submit the FAFSA, TASFA or Opt Out Form in order to graduate from high school.**
Please scroll down towards the bottom for resources on searching for SCHOLARSHIPS!
How often do I need to fill out the fafsa?
The form must be completed every year you are attending a college or university in order to receive any financial aid!
Starting in 2023, the application will open in December. For more information on deadlines, visit our FAFSA/TAFSA webpage.
It's very important to complete and submit the form EARLY in order to ensure the maximum amount of financial aid.
StudentAid.gov is the website where you fill out the FAFSA form.
For more information and assistance, please follow the step-by-step instructions on the slides to the right.
What do I need for the fafsa?
An SSN to Create an FSA ID
Have your most recent TAX documents readily available.
Read the instructions on the FAFSA form carefully and thoroughly.
Allot for about 30 minutes to complete the form.
The form must be completed every year you are attending a college or university in order to receive any financial aid!
What do I need for the taSFa?
Don't have an SSN? You just need to fill out the first page of the TASFA form and turn it into your counselor or Mr. Nelson
What if i choose to "opt out" ?
If you are not planning on attending a college or university after you graduate, you can choose to opt out of filling out the FAFSA or TASFA.
You will need to complete the Opt Out Form and give it to Mr. Nelson in the College and Career Center rm. 1301.
Financial Aid events
have more questions or need assistance?
Contact Mr. Nelson , go see him in the College and Career Center rm. 1301, or contact your Counselor!
Did you receive a scholarship offer?
Searching for scholarships?
A Scholarship is financial support awarded to a student, based on academic achievement or other criteria that may include financial need, for the purpose of schooling. There are various types of scholarships – the two most common being merit-based and need-based. The donor or department funding the scholarship sets the criteria for recipient selection, and the grantor specifically defines how the money is to be applied. The funds are used to defray the costs of tuition, books, room, board and other expenses directly tied to a student’s educational cost through the university.
Scholarships are typically awarded using a variety of factors, including - but not limited to, academic achievement, departmental and community involvement, employment experience, areas of study, and financial need.
Please visit our Scholarships Page for a list of typical scholarships offered during the academic year!
Here are some of the best scholarship search engines:
The LHS Scholarship Google Classroom Class Code: q2effji
For information on specific college or university scholarships, you will need to contact the Financial Aid Office of the college or university you are applying.
**Don't forget to think outside the box and ask your job, clubs, or organizations you or your parents/guardians are a part of to see if they offer scholarship awards! There is FREE MONEY out there for everyone!**