FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Types of Financial Aid

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.

The Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Student Loans 101 Course includes 12 videos and 22 lectures to help understand these topics.

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