FAFSA
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
What does TASFA stand for?
Texas Application for State Financial Aid
Where can I find Scholarships?
EIF QR Code
Search Engines and ISD Platforms - SchooLinks, SCOIR, Naviance, Xello
ISD Counselor Suite
Businesses / Churches
Sororities / Fraternities
What is an award letter?
Documentation sent from a college or university to the student that details how much financial support the student is eligible to receive.
What is cost of attendance?
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board
Books & Supplies
Transportation
Personal & Miscellaneous
Who completes the FAFSA?
Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens
Who completes the TASFA?
Undocumented or DACA status students
Are there scholarships for affinity groups?
EIF QR Code
The Point Foundation - LGBTQ+
uncf.org - Students attending HBCUs
hsf.org - Students attending HSIs
apia.org - Students attending AAPISs
collegefund.org - Students attending TCUs
What is listed in an award letter?
Direct Costs (tuition/fees, room/board)
Indirect Costs (books/supplies, transportation, personal/miscellaneous)
Federal Grants
State Grants
Merit Scholarships
Student Loans
Parent Loans
Institution or Gift Aids
Work Study
Health Insurance
GPA / Credit Hour Requirements
Is cost of attendance listed on all websites and award letters?
No
What do I need to complete the FAFSA?
FSA ID for ALL Contributors
Parents' 2022 income tax return (IRS 1040 Form) and W-2s/1099s
Parents' marriage, separation, or divorce date (month & year) IF APPLICABLE
Parents' social security number(s) AND birthdate(s) IF APPLICABLE
Student's 2022 income tax return (IRS 1040 Form) and W-2s/1099s IF APPLICABLE
Student's social security number AND birthdate
Student's Permanent Resident Card IF APPLICABLE
What do I need to complete the TASFA?
Parents' 2022 income tax return (IRS 1040 Form) and W-2s/1099s
Parents' marriage, separation, or divorce date (month & year) IF APPLICABLE
Parents’ ITIN / DACA / Social Security number(s) AND birthdate(s) IF APPLICABLE
Student's 2022 income tax return (IRS 1040 Form) and W-2s/1099s IF APPLICABLE
Student’s ITIN / DACA number AND birthdate
Student will also submit a signed and notarized State affidavit along with proof of SSS registration.
What does renewable mean?
A renewable award is good for more than one year — after the initial award, the funds continue to come in each semester as long as you meet the renewal requirements.
What kinds of loans are offered?
Subsidized (<$3500)
Unsubsidized ($2000<)
Parent Plus
Perkins
Is the amount listed for cost of attendance how much I will be paying for college?
No. Many colleges provide financial aid via grants, scholarships, loans, and work study to help with the cost.
After you receive the award letter, you will be able to determine the net price.
When do I need to submit my FAFSA?
As early as possible.
Students cannot receive their financial aid packages without the institution having all of the documents needed to process it including verification docs.
When do I need to submit my TASFA?
As early as possible.
Students cannot receive their financial aid packages without the institution having all of the documents needed to process it including verification docs.
Must submit with Affidavit and proof of selective service (Males), if able.
What is scholarship displacement?
Winning private scholarships can result in a reduction of other forms of financial aid from the institution.
If I have a O or -$1500 Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), is college free?
Very few institutions meet "need" that is determined from the SAI.
What is the difference between cost of attendance and net price?
The cost of attendance is the amount it will cost a student to go to school. It is usually based on 15 hour credit semesters.
The net price is what the student will need to pay to attend the college after the grants, scholarships, and loans are subtracted. Payment plans are available.
Why do I need to complete the FAFSA?
It is a Texas HB3 Graduation Requirement
It gives you access to Federal and State aid to help you pay for college or career school
Many scholarships require the information too
Why do I need to complete the TASFA?
It is a Texas HB3 Graduation Requirement
It gives you state aid to help you pay for college or career school
Many scholarships require the information too
Do my AP class credits count the same way as credit hours with scholarships?
No. When scholarships require specific GPAs and amount of credit hours taken per semester, they will not count AP class credit hours.
What is work study?
Institutions provide part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for college.
Does the cost of attendance change over time or is it the same for all four years?
It can change but some institutions will let you lock in the price.
Some institutions charge one price for <18 hours
Others will charge per credit hour
Others will lock in cost per hour for all 4 years