What is the FAFSA?

What is Federal Student Aid?

Federal student aid comes from the federal government. It is based on your family’s financial status and provides money that helps you pay for your college expenses. Examples include:

• grants - does not have to be re-paid

• loans - must be repaid, however, federal loans have lower interest rates

• work-study - money that is earned through an on- or off-campus job

How do I apply for financial aid?

You complete an application called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting in October of your senior year online at fafsa.gov. It is free to complete and aid is awarded on first-come, first-served basis so the sooner you apply, the better!

What do I need to apply?

Here is a list of the documents and information that you need to complete your FAFSA:

1. Student’s social security number (from Social Security or DACA card) or alien registration card (if you are not a US citizen)

   • It is very important that you use the correct SSN and your name as listed on your ID or Birth Certificate

   • If a student does not have a social security number, they can still fill out the FAFSA

2. 2019 income taxes for parent/guardians and student and other records of money earned

   • If your family doesn’t file taxes, you will need an estimate of how much money the family gets per year and you will need to have some documentation to prove this estimate later on.

   • If your family files taxes in another country, you will need an estimate in dollars of how much they earn for the year and you will need to have some documentation to prove this estimate later on

3. Amount of money in checking, savings, and cash for parent/guardians and student (on an average day, after all bills have been paid for the month)

4. If parents/guardians are married, date of marriage or remarriage

5. If parents/guardians are divorced, the date of divorce

6. If parents have social security numbers, you will need those. If they don’t have those numbers, you won’t need this information

7. Parents’ dates of birth

8. Number of years family has lived in Texas

9. Value of businesses or farms owned by you or your parent/guardian

10. Up to 10 colleges or universities that you have applied to or will apply to in the future

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: If my family owns their own business, can I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES

• Q: If my family works in a cash only business, can I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES

• Q: If members of my family do not have a social security number, can I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES

• Q: If my parents are divorced, can I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES

• Q: If I am not sure where I want to go to college, or if I want to attend college right after graduation, should I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES

• Q: If my family does not file taxes, can I still fill out FAFSA?

  • A: YES