Financial Aid Information and
the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Financial Aid Timeline –  Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors – What is Happening and What You Should Be Doing

GenTX Way to Pay: Financial Aid Guide – This helpful website and guide provide a wealth of information and videos for students and parents beginning the financial aid process. From an explanation of the challenges surrounding FAFSA to an in-depth look at the many types of financial aid, this is a great reference that you can download and print as you find your way to pay for college.
College Planning and Financial Aid Guide in English / GenTX – Spanish

Make It Happen – Don’t let the cost of college get in your way of your education. No matter who you are, you can find your way to pay. This website has some of the best resources sortable by grade level (Middle School, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Adult) in one handy checklist to help you navigate the financial aid process. Print a pdf version of the checklist and mark the boxes off as you go to stay organized and make sure that you are takes the steps necessary to help you pay for college.

Federal Student Aid

Do You Need Money for College or Career School?

Federal Student Aid: Find the Information You Need

FinAid –  The SmartStudent's Guide to Financial Aid is one of the most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web. 

Financial Aid Information can be found at https://studentaid.ed.gov/  or  http://gentx.org/resources/gentx-way-to-pay/

Average Cost for Texas Colleges

20 Things You Need to Know about Financing College

Scholarships and Financial Aid for Military and Veterans

How Student Loans Work

Students and parents can order financial aid publications at www.edpubs.gov  and can download electronic versions of publications, videos and infographics at www.StudentAid.gov/resources.

Online resources (links to documents, videos) – English, Spanish
This resource has LOTS of information – well organized and can answer A LOT of your questions.

TEXAS  Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success Grant Program) – The Texas Legislature established the TEXAS Grant to make sure that well-prepared high school graduates with financial need can go to college.

TEACH for Texas Grant (Loan Forgiveness) – Every year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) submits list of teacher shortage areas by subject matter and a list of designated low-income schools to the U.S. Department of Education. Teachers with certain types of student loans may qualify for partial loan forgiveness, deferment, or cancellation benefits.
 

The Hazelwood Act – This State of Texas benefit provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemptions at Texas public colleges or universities (not private or out of state). This exemption does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees. Eligibility and application information available on website.

Student Loan Programs

Interest-Free Education Loan Funds  – The following zero-interest loan programs are available through the Trust Department at Frost Bank of Galveston. Qualified applicants can now (after November 1) request an application packet for the upcoming fall/spring long-term school year.
Frost Bank, Student Loan Division, P.O. Box 8210, Galvestson, TX 77553-8210, (409) 770-5665

• Abe & Annie Seibel Foundation
  • USA Citizen and Texas resident, graduate of a Texas high school, enrolled full-time at a Texas college/university, working toward a first undergrad degree.
  • Approximately 800 loans available
  • Maximum loan amount is $8,000
  • Application Deadline is February 28
• Vandal and Winifred Mercer TAMU Foundation
  • USA Citizen and Texas resident, graduate of a Texas high school, enrolled full-time at Texas A&M University at College Station or any branch located in Galveston County, working toward a first undergraduate or graduate degree.
  • Approximately 30 loans available
  • Maximum loan amount is $2,500
  • Application Deadline is March 31

FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application submitted to determine if a student is eligible to receive federal and state grant money for college. The FAFSA for Fall 2022 will be available for completion on October 1, 2021. To qualify for need based aid, all applicants must file the FAFSA. 

On September 14, 2015, President Obama announced significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process that will impact millions of students. Starting 2017-2018, students were able to:

• Submit a FAFSA Earlier: Students will be able to file a FAFSA as early as October 1 rather than beginning on January 1. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year.
• Use Earlier Income Information: Students will report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2022–23 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2020 income information (already filed).

SCAM ALERT - The FAFSA is absolutely free. If you are on a website that is requiring a fee for processing the FAFSA, you are not on the correct website.

Steps to Complete the FAFSA:

1. Prior to completing the FAFSA, the parent/guardian and student must apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID so that they may sign the application electronically. (The FSA ID replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN on May 10, 2015.)
2. Complete the FAFSA at  https://fafsa.ed.gov/ 
   When applying for financial aid, you'll need your FSA ID, income tax returns, W-2 forms and other records of income. A complete list of what is needed is on the FAFSA site.
    

2022-2023 FAFSA – Paper Copy

2022-2023 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet – English   Spanish

FAFSA Submission Deadlines: 

• College Deadline – Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA or the date your FAFSA is processed. 
• State Deadline – January 15, 2022
  Texas public colleges: For priority consideration, submit your application by January 15, 2022. Additional forms may be required. 
  Texas private colleges: Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.  
• Federal Deadline – Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2022. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 23, 2022.

Best Resources for Getting Help with FAFSA – Not a government site, but it has good information for students and parents

How to Complete the FAFSA  (from College Board)

FAFSA – The How-To Guide for High School Students (and the Adults Who Help Them)

Parent’s Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA Form (from Dept. of Education)

Ultimate FAFSA Resource Guide (Smart Scholar)

FAFSA Resources (Edvisor)

Who is My Parent on FAFSA? - Especially important for students who have divorced parents or if they are living away from their parents at this time.

FAFSA Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

26 Places to Get Help with the FAFSA – Includes links to FREE FAFSA web resources, to in-person FAFSA help, to toll-free help, and to financial aid/FAFSA Webinars

Your FAFSA Connection: Info, Answers, Tools – An extensive set of FAFSA tips and information.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Student Loans 101- Includes 12 videos and 22 lectures to help understand these topics