Joining the military enables you to do several options at once. You can serve your country, earn a salary, and get training that will help you whether or not you make the service your lifetime career. Here are some options that the military can offer:

ROTC Programs

Colleges and universities often offer ROTC programs and ROTC scholarships. Requirements for these programs and post-graduation responsibilities vary; contact the ROTC programs at the college campus of the Armed Service branches for more information.

National Guard or Reserve Programs

The National Guard works with college students who seek scholarship money. Students in this program will participate in monthly and summer Guard activities and agree to post-graduation responsibilities.

Enlistment

The military offers unique opportunities available nowhere else. After your service is completed, you will be eligible for money for college. Explore all branches of the military to decide which service, skills, and enlistment options will be best for you (Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Marines).

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is available to students in grades 11-12. It measures a student's aptitudes and abilities and relates them to specific occupations in civilian and military life. This test allows students to explore career choices and post-secondary options. The ASVAB scores four critical areas -- Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge -- which can also count towards your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. For students interested in joining the military, the AFQT score determines whether you're qualified to enlist in the U.S. military. Learn more about the ASVAB here.

GoApply Texas Apply Texas allows you to apply to several colleges (within Texas) using one application.

Common App Common application allows you to apply to more than 800 colleges and universities around the world.

Individual/School Specific Application Other colleges will use their own application system and you will need to visit that college's Freshman Application page to determine what application portal they use.

Application Fee Waiver: Many colleges & universities charge a fee to apply. Go here for more information regarding fee waiver eligibility.

The FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application students must complete to apply for federal and state aid. Federal student aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, federal student loans, and the Federal Work-Study program. FAFSA is meant for students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used to help determine eligibility for state financial aid programs that are administered by institutions of higher education in the state of Texas. TASFA is for non-citizens and certain international students who are classified as Texas residents

FAFSA and TASFA applications open: October 1st.

Students only fill out ONE Financial Aid Application - either FAFSA or TASFA.

Financial Aid Resources

"The Money Stuff" Guide

CSS Profile (Money for Private Colleges and Universities)

U Aspire Financial Aid Timeline

FAFSA Application Resources

Click here to create your FSA ID

Click here to start your FAFSA

TASFA Application Resource

Click here to access a copy of the TASFA application

• Live Más Scholarship Deadline January 11

• United Negro College Fund Deadlines vary

• The College Board Opportunity Scholarships Deadlines vary

• National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering Deadlines vary

• Dell Scholars https://www.dellscholars.org/scholarship/ Opens October 1st

• Burger King Foundation Scholarship https://www.burgerkingfoundation.org/ Deadline Dec. 15th

• Zippia's Teacher Dream Job Scholarship https://www.zippia.com/teacher-jobs/scholarship/ Deadline Dec. 31st

• Top List of various Texas Scholarships https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/ Deadline for each varies.

• The Murray Watson, Jr. Scholarship https://studentloans.com/scholarship.html.

• Fort Hood Military Family Member Scholarship Fund https://www.forthoodscholarship.org/apply/

• The Gates Scholarship https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship Deadline Sept. 15th

Students wishing to pursue athletics in college should register with an eligibility center during their junior year.

• Fee waivers are available for students on free and reduced lunch that have taken their SAT or ACT using a fee waiver.

• Students must check the status of open tasks on their eligibility account.

• Students will need to have test scores sent directly from the College Board or ACT.

NCAA Eligibility Requirements The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center determines the eligibility of students participating in college athletics at NCAA Division I or II institutions.

NAIA Eligibility Information The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a smaller association than the NCAA, with just over 60,000 students. It includes two divisions (Division I and II) and Division I in the NAIA is comparable to Division II in the NCAA.

Junior College Eligibility Information National Junior College Athletic Association's (NJCAA) mission is to promote and foster two-year college athletics.

NCAA/NAIA/JUCO Recruitment Informational Webinar

• ACT TEST DATE (10/22/22) Registration Deadline September 16th

• SAT TEST DATE (10/01/2022) Registration Deadline September 2nd

• FSA ID Completion Deadline September 30th

• FAFSA BEGINS October 1st (Students can begin applying for FAFSA)

• ACT TEST DATE (12/10/22) Registration Deadline November 4th

• SAT TEST DATE (11/05/22) Registration Deadline October 7th

• ACT TEST DATE (02/11/2023) Registration Deadline January 6,2023

What financial aid is out there?

There are several types of financial aid:

• Grants: Free money that doesn’t have to be repaid. Grants are often based on a student’s financial need. You usually get these from the government or from your college. In Texas, some colleges offer grants that completely cover a student’s tuition and living expenses. View the Texas Tuition Guarantee chart to learn more.

• Scholarships: Another form of free money that doesn’t need to be paid back. You can get scholarships for just about anything! To find scholarships, talk with your high school counselor and search the local community for opportunities.

• Student loans: Money you borrow to pay for your education or educational expenses. After graduating or ending your program of study, you’ll have to pay back the money you borrowed, plus any interest accrued. Loans from the federal government often have much better interest rates and loan terms than what you can get from a private bank or credit union.

• Work-study programs: Money you work for while you’re in college. Work-study allows you to earn money for college through a part-time job. Work-study jobs are usually offered through the college and offer flexible work hours to accommodate student schedules. You’ll need to look for and apply to jobs through your college after you’ve been accepted.

The Workforce Program provides career coaching, career exploration, job training, and job placement services. Career Coaches can also provide help with college readiness, FAFSA and scholarship applications, and post-secondary education planning. Workforce clients can also gain work experience through part-time internships paying $12 an hour.

Eligibility (must only meet ONE criteria):

- Low-Income (Only applies to In-School clients)

- Diagnosis of disability

- Pregnancy/parenting

- Homelessness

- Foster Care placement, or past placement

- Basic skills deficiency

- English Language Learner

- Criminal Justice system involvement

- Withdrew from high school

*Please see your Career Coach for more information

The Bridge Program Alumni Circle allows you to both re-connect with old classmates as well as enabling you to utilize the trusted CIS environment to expand your professional network. Introduce, employ and offer to act as a mentor to our graduating seniors. Please complete the information page below.