Financial Aid
FEDERAL STUDENT AID: Great source of information on preparing for college, types of financial aid available and how to apply for financial aid. studentaid.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
As of the 2021-2022 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed by every graduating senior. House Bill 3 (HB 3) Implementation: Financial Aid Application
Types of Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid requires a little work on your part. But the fact is, you won't receive assistance unless you ask for it. And asking for it means completing a few forms.
There are three very important things to remember about applying for aid:
You only have to complete one financial aid application (either the FAFSA or the TASFA to start the process.
The financial aid office at the college you plan to attend will be in charge of awarding you financial aid.
Deadlines matter! The earlier you submit your forms, the more likely you are to get a good financial aid package.
You and your family can choose from many different types of financial aid. Some are based on financial need, and some on academic performance. Others are tied to a student's or family's ability to borrow. Not all colleges and universities participate in all programs, but the more you know about financial aid, the better prepared you’ll be. Here you’ll find links to the many kinds of financial aid available to students attending Texas colleges and universities. You can also search for a particular program using the search box above.
Your Financial Aid Application - FAFSA or TASFA?
Your Financial Aid Application - FAFSA or TASFA?
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 who cannot apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to complete the TASFA. To review the FAFSA filing requirements, visit studentaid.gov or visit the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.
The Texas state priority deadline for many institutions of higher education is March 15, 2024 for the 2024-2025 award year. It is recommended that applicants complete and submit this application and any other required documentation to the financial aid office prior to the state priority deadline date.
Please refer to the Undocumented Student Information TAB at the top of this site.
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A great resource for Financial Aid for College:
Check out the following link below:
Additional Resources
Students and families have begun receiving their financial aid offers, also referred to as financial aid award letters, from their perspective colleges. Financial aid offers vary from school to school, and different formats and terminology can leave students questioning which offer is best for them. In fact, our “How America Pays for College” research study shows that just 42% of families say they completely understand their financial aid offers.
To help families evaluate their offers, Sallie Mae has created an easy-to-read handout that lists the top six tips students should know before making their decision on which college to attend.
For more tips and resources on comparing financial aid offers, visit SallieMae.com/FinAidOffers.
In addition, Sallie Mae offers students and families planning for college free tools including:
The Paying for College Resource which provides access to free, online college planning tools, short educational videos on financial aid, and multiple other resources, created with, and for, high school educators and counselors.
The Financial Aid Offer Comparison Worksheet that helps students and families keep track of offer details including scholarships, grants, and federal student loans.
The Sallie Mae blog offers information on topics such as personal finance, saving, planning, and paying for college, and of course, financial aid offers.
The College Planning Calculator helps families search for college costs and build a customized plan based on their own situations.