Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousand of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you're interested in whether they do! Apply for federal student aid - grants, work-study, and loans - using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. And remember, the first F in "FAFSA" stands for "free" - you shouldn't pay to fill out the FAFSA form!

• The FAFSA Application for seniors planning to attend a college/university/technical/vocational school in Fall of 2023 opens October 1, 2022.

• Please check with your school(s) of choice for specific FAFSA submission deadlines!

• Before you begin your 2023-2024 application, be sure to create your FAFSA account (FSA ID) so you can log in. View this How to Video and then click here to create your account.

  • Each student, and one of your parents/guardians, will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA application process.

• You can now log in using your FSA ID username and password.

• The FAFSA PROCESS

An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to the Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information (use a personal email address) and for your own exclusive use. Your parent/guardian will also need to make an FSA ID so they can provide their legal signature when you are ready to sign and submit your application.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT create an FSA ID account on behalf of someone else. That means parents should not create FSA ID accounts for their children and vice versa. Doing so may result in issues signing and submitting the FAFSA application and could lead to financial aid delays.

To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need:

• Social Security Number for both student and parent/guardian.

• Alien Registration Number for both student and parent/guardian (if you are not a U.S. citizen but meet other eligibility criteria).

• Driver's License Number (only if you have one).

• Your 2021 Tax Return and 2021 IRS W-2. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA application using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool located within the FAFSA application).

• Records of Your Untaxed Income such as child support, interest income, and veteran's non-education benefits.

• Records of Your Assets (Money) such as savings and checking account balances, as well as the value of investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate excluding your primary residence.

• List of the School(s) you are Interested in Attending - Be sure to add any college you're considering, even if you haven't applied or been accepted yet.

• An FSA ID to sign the application electronically both both the student and parent/guardian.

After submitting your financial aid application (FAFSA), you might receive one or more of the following types of aid dependent on your eligibility:

• Grants - a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. A variety of federal grants are available.

• Work-Study Jobs - The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time.

• Loans - When you receive a loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.

• Scholarships - Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. This type of free money, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses. Information on local scholarships can be found in the counselor's google classroom.

Additional Aid Opportunities:

• Aid for Military Families - There are special aid programs or additional aid eligibility for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran.

• Aid for International Study - Federal student aid may be available for studying at a school outside the United States, whether you're studying abroad or getting your degree from an international school.

• Besides aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the federal government offers a number of other financial aid programs. These programs include:

  • Tax benefits for education.

  • Education awards for community service with AmeriCorps.

  • Educational and training vouchers for current and former foster care youth.

  • Scholarships and loan repayment programs through the Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and National Health Service Corps.

Aid from Your State Government

Other than federal aid, you might be eligible for financial assistance from your state. Contact your state grant agency for more information.

Aid From Your College or Career School

Many schools offer financial aid from their own grant and/or scholarship funds. Find out what might be available to you by:

• Visiting your school's financial aid pages on its website, or contact the financial aid office.

• Asking the department that offers your course of study; they might have a scholarship for students in your major.

• Filling out any applications your school requires for its own aid programs, and meet your school's deadline.

Many universities in the State of Texas offer FREE tuition. For eligibility as well as more information, check out the link below:

• University of Texas at Austin

• UT Austin Texas Advanced Commitment
  

• Texas State Bobcat Promise

• Texas A&M – Commerce Pledge Promise

• UTSA Bold Program

• UTRVG Tuition Promise

• UTD Tuition Promise

• University of Houston Cougar Promise

• Texas Tech Red Raider Guarantee

• Sam Houston Bearkat Promise

• University of North Texas Emerald Eagle Scholars:

• Lamar Promise

• Stephen F. Austin Purple Promise Program

• Angelo State Gold and Blue Guarantee

• Midwestern State University - Mustang’s Guarantee Program

Don't Miss Out!
Texas Tuition Promise Fund®
General Enrollment Ends TBA

Did you know that general enrollment in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund®, the state's tax-advantaged prepaid college tuition plan, opens September 1, 2022? That makes this the perfect time to attend a webinar about the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and the Texas Match the Promise FoundationSM, a 501(c)(3) public charity offering unique scholarship opportunities to eligible participants in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund is waiving the $25 Application Fee when you open a new account online during September and October of 2022. Enrollments by mail must be postmarked by October 31, 2022. (New contract prices based on Texas public college costs for the 2023-23 academic year.)

Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars. These presentations will provide an overview of the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and information on the different types of tuition units, tuition redemption values and payment options. In addition, the webinars will present information about matching scholarships and tuition unit grants available through the Texas Match the Promise Foundation.*

If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please contact us at TuitionPromise@cpa.texas.gov.

For more information about the plan, visit TuitionPromise.org or call 800-445-GRAD (4723), option 5.

* Residency restrictions apply.   

** Residency restrictions, age requirements, eligibility criteria, household income restrictions and contribution requirements apply.

Mayra Garcia
HS Counselor
361-972-2571 Ext. 1207
mayrag@palaciosisd.org

Deanna Chapman
CCMR Specialist
361-972-2571 Ext. 1260
deannac@palaciosisd.org