TASFA Step-by-Step Process

Most colleges will ask that you complete the TASFA and not the FAFSA. However, if your college asks you to complete a FAFSA, you will complete as a NON-ELIGIBLE, NON-CITIZEN.

If you have a social security number, you should enter it. However, if you do not have one, then enter all 0’s. Do NOT enter your Tax ID# ]TIN] unless this is given as an option.

The TASFA is basically a paper FAFSA. It asks similar questions. The biggest difference is that you will submit a TASFA to each college you apply for along with your parents’ IRS Tax Transcript and a Verification Worksheet.

Financial Aid is a combination of grants (free money based on economic need), low-interest loans, and work study. For immigrant students, it comes from the state and colleges.

Each college has a financial aid office. This is one of the most important offices on a college campus. Each financial aid office will have a website portal on your college’s main website. You will need to become very familiar with your college’s financial aid website. This is how you track the process of your financial aid award process [verification], view your award letter, and accept or decline your financial aid awards.

The priority deadline is the date you must file your FAFSA/TASFA to receive priority consideration in the financial aid awarding process. In other words, you put yourself at the front of the line for financial aid. If you miss a FAFSA/TASFA priority deadline you can still apply and mostly certainly should apply for financial aid.

For many colleges, the priority deadline is March 15 but for some schools it’s as early as March 1. Check your college’s financial aid website to find when its financial aid priority deadline. Because the Texas Grant is limited, it is essential for you to meet your college’s priority deadline to maximize your chance to receive this generous grant.

If you parents live in the U.S. and work, they are required to file an income tax each year even if they do not have a social security number. Immigrant workers can apply for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) when they complete their income tax returns.

Colleges understand this and they expect your parents to file an income tax. However, if your parents do not file an income tax, your college’s financial aid office might ask for a letter from your parent’s employer stating their income for last year.

If there are extenuating circumstances, such as your parents are retired or are receiving disability through Social Security, then you are not expected to supply tax information on the TASFA. You will put zero for their income and most likely be asked by your college financial aid office to submit a low-income verification document, which they will supply.

However, if your parents are required to submit a tax returns then you will need them to submit their taxes; otherwise, you risk not having your TASFA processed.

You can still complete the TASFA. Most college receive ample federal financial aid. However, state and college financial aid (especially grants) is extremely limited, and it’s essential that you meet your college’s financial aid priority deadline.

Yes, unless you meet one of the categories that allows you to be classified as INDEPENDENT of your parent:. at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, or someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Click Determining Dependency Status for an Excellent Chart.

Generally, a TASFA, Parents and yours (if you file) tax returns, tax transcripts, selective service card (males), and Dependent/Independent Verification Worksheet. You will pick up a dependent/independent verification worksheet at the financial aid office or download from their website. This is a simple form that simply asks that your parents sign that the information supplied is correct.

You MUST speak with your financial aid office to find out EXACTLY what they wish you to turn in with your TASFA. One college might want one thing and another something else.

Remember, you will need to submit a TASFA to each college you apply to.

Make sure to:

1. Make a copy of each TASFA Application you submit with all supporting documents. If a financial aid office misplaces ‘loses’ your TASFA application you won’t have to ‘scramble’ to repackage your application.
2. Keep a notebook of when you turn items in and who you talk with. If you run into problems later, you will have a DOCMENTED trail that you have been trying to do everything correctly.
3. It is crucial that you ask each financial aid office “WHO IS THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SB 1528 TASFA STUDENTS”. Most colleges have ONE person who is responsible for this, and it is essential that you get to know this person.
4. You will most likely need to call or visit with him or her several times. You want the financial aid officer over TASFA to know your name.

1. Verification is a process in which colleges are asked to ‘verify’ or check that the information you supplied is correct. All SB 1528/TASFA students are ‘flagged’ for verification.
2. All this means is that you have to supply to the financial aid office your parents’ tax returns/tax transcript (or proof of income) along with the verification worksheet
   • You pick this up at your financial aid office (or)
   • You can download it from your college’s financial aid website. Always complete the verification worksheet for the year you will start college not the current year!
3. Verification sheets ask for your parents’ income or source of financial assistance, such as social security benefits. You and your parents will need to sign the worksheet and you MUST turn them back in to receive financial aid!

Click Order a Tax Transcript

After your TASFA has been processed you will receive an award letter from each college you have been accepted to detailing how much financial aid you will receive.

1. A college might send you an award letter by mail, but most likely the college will expect you to log into your financial aid account and review your award letter online.
2. You should expect your award letter 4 to 8 weeks after your TASFA has been processed. After your TASFA has been submitted and processed, you should immediately become familiar with your college’s financial aid website.
3. If you do not receive an email from your college’s financial aid office in 4 weeks, you should contact them and find out why you have not received an award letter. It might be you made a mistake or they just might be behind.
4. Unfortunately, many state colleges do not award TASFA students until late summer. It’s a good idea to ask the financial aid office if they have an ‘emergency tuition loan program.
   • This is a short term loan from the colleges (generally until your financial aid is processed).
   • You will have to pay a small fee.

First, if you do not accept your award letter the college will assume you do not want financial aid. In other words, you won’t get any money!

So, make sure to log into your college financial aid account and go to a section (generally called) award letter or accept award offers. You will have the opportunity to accept or not accept your financial aid.

1. Once you accept your financial aid, you will be able to pay for your classes with your financial aid..
2. You will also receive a college debt card, which will allow you to pay for books.
3. When you register for classes (sign up), you will be asked how do you wish to pay. You can apply your financial aid at this point.