10 Things to Know About This Year’s FAFSA
We’ve pulled it all together in one quick guide: 10 Things to Know About This Year’s FAFSA.
Inside, you’ll find:
✅ The official release date + early access beta
✅ Funding updates, including Pell & Workforce Pell Grants
✅ Why early filing matters more than ever
✅ Tips to prepare students now
🎉 Hey Seniors! 🎉
Big news—you’ve got a chance to snag some FREE money for college! 💸 The Friends of Texas Public Schools Scholarship is open now! Just head to fotps.org/scholarship and get that application in before October 12th, 2025. Continue reading below ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Click here to find Scholarships: www.scholarships.com
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Priority application date — December 1, 2025: Students should apply for admission and submit their FAFSA by December 1, 2025, for maximum consideration for Missouri State scholarships, as well as state and federal programs. Students who are admitted with a completed FAFSA submitted by December 1 will receive their scholarship and financial aid offer before winter break.
Final application date — February 1, 2026: Students who apply for admission and submit their FAFSA by February 1 will be reviewed for scholarships and all state and federal programs and receive their financial package by March 1, 2026.
Students who apply after February 1, 2026 will be reviewed for admission, scholarships, and aid programs as funds and space allow. Students will be notified of admission, aid and awards on a rolling basis.
As our commitment to access and opportunity has always driven our strategy of supporting all students in attaining a college degree, our focus remains on awarding our scholarships and other institutional aid to provide the greatest amount of support to the greatest number of students. To achieve this, we are doing more holistic reviews for individualized admission and scholarship awards decisions for incoming students.
To guide your students for maximum awards, please make sure they have completed their application and FAFSA submission by December 1, 2025.
The award process for the Presidential Scholarship and the Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship remains the same for this year.
Non-resident opportunities
Out-of-state students can qualify for a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition by meeting any one of the following:
3.25 GPA or higher
Class rank in the top 50%
ACT composite or superscore of 24 or higher
SAT composite or superscore of 1160 or higher
The best way to know Mo State is to visit. Out-of-state students who visit campus by December 1 of senior year and subsequently enroll will be awarded a one-time $1,000 “Show-Me Missouri State Scholarship.” Students simply need to schedule a personalized visit or attend our Fall Showcase on October 25.
The Texas Leadership Scholars (TLS) program seeks top performing students with demonstrated financial need, leadership in their high school community, and academic success.
Demonstrated financial need, as evidenced by FAFSA or TASFA (must be TEXAS Grant eligible). The FAFSA/TASFA must be completed by February 19, 2026.
Graduating High School Senior during the current application cycle from an accredited Texas High School.
Scholastic record and ability through top 10% or submit a recommendation letter from the student's high school principal or counselor.
Evidence of leadership and service within your high school and community.
Accepted to a participating 4-year institution.
Complete Application Process and receive a recommendation from a principal, teacher, counselor, coach, etc. from their graduating high school.
Military Service and Eligibility - The Texas Leadership Scholars (TLS) Program requires scholars to be enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program at a participating institution during the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. Applicants who plan to complete National Guard or other military service during the fall semester and intend to defer enrollment until the spring may not be eligible for consideration for this program.
Once scholars are admitted to the program, they must maintain TEXAS Grant eligibility, full-time enrollment, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, and complete all program requirements.
Each participating university has a designated TLS Campus Coordinator as the scholars’ primary point of contact and a mentor. Programming will be conducted or organized by this person, who will also regularly meet with the scholars as a group and in 1:1 meetings.
A Living Learning Community (LLC) is a component of this program. This may require scholars to live on campus in a specific community with other TLS recipients for the first 2 years of the program. Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to specific institution.
Applications Open for the Fall 2026 Cohort 5 - October 1, 2025
Students must receive the application from a staff member (guidance counselor, teacher, principal, etc.) at their graduating high school. High School staff members can learn more about the program or request the application by visiting the High School Staff Resources page.
In the application, students should be prepared to:
Provide basic information about themselves, including their current high school GPA.
Self-assess their leadership skills.
Provide short responses explaining how they have been a leader in their community.
Rank three potential participating schools to which they've applied.
Provide the contact information of someone from their graduating high school who can serve as a reference. A recommendation form will automatically be sent to them upon submission of the application.
All recommendations must be received by February 19, 2026 at 11:59 pm CST. We strongly urge completing the application by mid-January to ensure time for the recommendation to be submitted before applications are reviewed by Texas Leadership Scholars Program staff.
*At the onset of awarding, the Scholarship is not transferable because we seek to ensure a cohort of students at each campus. If the student does not attend the institution which awarded the scholarship, they will be foregoing being a participant in this program.*
Please review eligibility criteria above before applying!
Have questions? Contact TLS staff at TexasScholars@unt.edu.