Ever wondered what financial documents you need to apply for financial aid? Think the finiancial aid process is complicated?

The "Preparing for Financial Aid" video will let you know which documents you need to apply for financal aid and share ways to be prepared for the financial aid process. 

Click here to view "Preparing for Financial Aid" video. 

Your FSA ID is an important part of submitting your FAFSA, but how do you get one?

The "Create Your FSA ID" video will walk you through taking the first steps to completing the FAFSA by creating your FSA ID. 

Click here to view "Create Your FSA ID" video.

Which financial aid application do you complete? FAFSA or TASFA? 

The "FAFSA vs. TASFA" video will walk you through which financial aid application to submit based on your eligibility. 

Click here to view "FAFSA vs. TASFA" video.

You created your FSA ID, next stop, completing the FAFSA!

The "FAFSA Application" video will walk you through how to complete the online FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid to help pay for college. 

Click here to view "FAFSA Application" video. 

You have all your financial documents, next stop, completing the TASFA! 

The "TASFA Application" video will walk you through know how to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to assist with the cost of college. 

Click here to view "TASFA Application" video. 

Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college or career school and can come from federal, state, school, and private sources. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including tuition and fee, room and board, books and supplies, and transportaton. Financial aid  

There are 4 types for financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-stduy.  

Grants are a form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid (unless, for example, a student withdraws from school).

Scholarships are gifts and do not need to be repaid! There are thounsand of scholarships, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. 

Loans are a form of financial aid that students borrow and must pay back with interest. There are 2 types of loans: Subsidized loans and Unsubsidized loans.

• Subsidized loans - a loan based on financial need for which the federal government generally pays the interest that accrues while the borrowers is in an in-school, grace, or deferment status.
• Unsubsidized loans - a loan for which the borrower is fully responsible for paying  the interest regardless of the loan status. Interest on unsubsidized loans accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan.

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. 

There are 3 types of financial aid applications: FAFSA, TASFA, CSS Profile. 

FAFSA 

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 opens: October 1st

TASFA

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used to college 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 FAFSA arae encouraged to complete the TASFA. 

TASFA opens: October 1st

CSS Profile

An online application for nonfederal student financial aid. Used by nearly 400 colleges, unversities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award more than $9 billion in grants. 

CSS Profile opens: October 1st

See the "Rescources" section for links to each application. 

To complete a financial aid applicaton, you will need the following Parent and Student information. 

• Social Security Number (if applicable)
• 2020 income tax returns and W-2s
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Month &  year parent(s) married/separated/divorced/widowed (if applicable)