Student Financial Aid - New State Requirement for Graduation

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature established a new graduation requirement (HB) for Texas students. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, seniors must file a financial aid application(FAFSA),Texas Application for State Financial Aid(TASFA), or submit an Opt-Out form(contact campus counselor) to graduate. Districts are required to report the financial aid application graduation requirement in TSDS PEIMS for each student.

Each student must do one of the following:

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — typically opens Oct. 1
• Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) — typically opens Jan. 15; or
• Submit a signed opt-out form (please contact your campus counselor).
  • A student may opt-out of the financial aid application graduation requirement if:
  • a parent or guardian submits a signed form;
  • the student is 18 years of age or older and submits a signed form; or
  • a school counselor authorizes the student to decline to complete and submit the application for a good cause.

FAFSA

Applications will begin to be accepted for the 2023-2024 school year starting on October 1, 2022. You should file your FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible to improve your chances of qualifying for the most grant, scholarship, and work-study aid. The Texas priority deadline for the FAFSA to be completed is January 15, 2022. 

Federal Student Aid offers over 150 billion dollars in federal student aid annually. Money is disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps senior students can take to receive financial aid for college. Several types of federal work-study and many state and institutional grants and scholarships are awarded to assist students in paying for college. Students need to complete the FAFSA early, although the final deadline is June 30. To apply for FAFSA, visit FAFSA.gov or visit the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.  

How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form Video

TASFA

If you are a foreign/international student, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), or undocumented student, you may be eligible to receive state financial aid. Students who do not meet the citizenship guidelines required by FAFSA may still be eligible for financial aid in the state of Texas by completing the TASFA online. You must be a Texas resident to submit the TASFA . The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used to collect 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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to complete the TASFA. To apply for TASFA, visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, visit the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend, or download the TASFA Application. 

The Texas state priority deadline for many institutions of higher education is January 15, 2023 for the 2023-24 award year. It is recommended that applicants complete and submit this application and any other required documentation to the financial aid office prior to the state priority deadline date.

Should You Apply for FAFSA Before Applying to College? — Yes!

You can apply even if it is before you have applied or been accepted to any college. When you initially fill out the FAFSA, you only have to list one of the colleges you’re considering. You will be able to add additional colleges you are considering later on, so you don’t miss out on any financial aid. 

View the Financial Aid for College or Career School Video

Before you begin, be sure to have the following documents available:

• Parent(s) and student’s legal names
• Parent(s) and student’s Social Security numbers
• Parent(s) and student’s dates of birth
• Parent’s driver’s license numbers
• Email address for student and parent
• Access to cell phones for parent and student to verify phone number via text
• Info for parents with whom you live: marriage date, divorce date, or separation date
• If you are in legal guardianship, bring court papers for the guardianship.
• W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2022 (student and parents)
• 2022 Federal Income Tax Return (the 1040 form for student and parents) – If your parents or parent and step-parent file separately, bring copies of both tax returns.
• Value of bank accounts and investments
• Federal school codes for the schools you will be applying to
• Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID

FAFSA online application:

• It takes about 30 minutes.
• Take advantage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to automatically transfer your tax info.

Not only does the FAFSA/TAFSA provide financial aid opportunities for students, it can also be used for other support programs and scholarships. Please contact your counselor for more information.