ALERT: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has extended the 2024-25 state financial aid application priority deadline from March 15, 2024, to April 15, 2024. Please remember that the priority deadline is not a final deadline. Students can still submit a financial aid application after the priority date. Applications that are submitted before the deadline will receive priority consideration for available funding.

This priority date is only for the 2024-25 application year and will revert to January 15 for future years.

Quick Guide to Financial Aid Application Changes - Whether they’re completing the FAFSA or the TASFA, Texas students will experience a new financial aid application for the 2024–2025 school year. Use this quick guide to learn what you can expect from the simplified FAFSA and the online TASFA.

As students participate in college planning, one very important component to consider is the cost of college/university/technical school attendance and how tuition will be paid. Let's take a look at the various types of aid and how each may benefit the student.

Grants

Many students with financial needs may be eligible to receive grants. Most types of grants, unlike loans, are sources of money that generally do not have to be repaid. Click HERE to Learn More about Grants.

Scholarships

Some schools won't even consider you for a scholarship (including academic) until you have submitted a FAFSA form. Scholarships are free gifts based on academic or other achievements, or on financial need. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Click HERE to Learn More about Scholarships.

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. Click HERE to Learn More about Work Study.

Loans

Although loans should be considered as a last resort, submitting a FAFSA may qualify the student/parent for low-interest federal loans. When you receive a student 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. Click HERE to Learn More about Student Loans.

What It Is  

The FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an application form used to determine a student's eligibility for state and federal need-based grants, loans, and work study programs.

The New FAFSA opens in December 2023 for the 2024-2025 academic year. Current seniors will complete the new FAFSA once it becomes available.

Start the Process by Creating an FSA ID

In order to access and complete the FAFSA, you will need to create an FSA ID. This ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing federal financial aid information and to sign your FAFSA electronically when you submit it. You are required to create an FSA ID to access, sign, and complete the FAFSA. Dependent students (students who live with their parent(s)/stepparent(s) and rely on them for financial support) will have contributors to their FAFSA application. Contributors will need to create their own FSA IDs to complete their portion of the FAFSA. With this in mind, here's how to create your FSA ID.

Learn More about Creating and Using the FSA ID

Additional Links for Information About Financial Aid:

• How To Submit the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form if Your Contributor Doesn't Have an SSN

• Cómo presentar el formulario FAFSA 2024-25 si su contribuyente no tiene un SSN

• Get Schooled: How to Complete the FAFSA

• KHEAA Better FAFSA Quick Reference Guide

• FAFSA Checklist (English / Spanish)

• Financial Aid Guide for Students with Disabilities

• FSA Students with Unusual Circumstances

• FERPA and Financial Aid 

• SwiftStudent free financial aid appeal resource

• uAspire College Cost Calculator

• A Quick Guide to Financial Aid Award Letters

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used by participating institutions of higher education in Texas to collect information to help determine a student’s eligibility for state financial aid.

If you need help deciding which application (TASFA or FAFSA) to complete, start here.

If eligible, a student should file the FAFSA. If not eligible for FAFSA, TASFA is recommended. Do not complete both the FAFSA and TASFA.

Read all financial aid updates, including TASFA updates HERE.

View the eligibility below, and remember, only one application should be completed based on the best fit.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announces the launch of the 2024-2025 online Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). The application can be found by visiting the TASFA landing page, housed on the THECB's main website.

As a reminder for the 2024-25 FY if a student has already submitted their TASFA application via the paper form, they DO NOT need to complete the online TASFA form