STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Finances
Maximize financial aid and scholarships.
When you ask students and families their top concerns about college, their answer is usually the same: money. Whether you're concerned about out-of-pocket cost, loan debt, or simply the unknown, this collection of resources is here for you.
Understand college costs.
There are various kinds of college costs – direct costs such as tuition and room and board, and indirect costs such as books or gas – that may not be included in the price on a college's website. Be sure to understand both.
Don't miss out on federal aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the number one source for help paying for college. Yet in 2015, $2.9 billion set aside for students went unclaimed! Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, all students will be required to fill out the application.
Apply for scholarships.
Scholarships are free money for college that you never have to pay back. There are thousands of sources for scholarships – let us help you find resources that work for you.
Understand student loans.
It’s normal to take on some debt during college. Understand the steps to paying it back and how to get the loans that cost you the least money over time.
Tools We Recommend
FINANCES
FAFSA
Federal funding is the largest source of financial aid. Apply for grants, loans, and other types of aid with this free application.
FINANCES
Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
This financial aid application allows students that are ineligible to complete the FAFSA to apply for state financial aid programs in Texas.
FINANCES
Federal Student Aid
Understand exactly how FAFSA funds are distributed and benefit students with this tool from the US Department of Education.
JOBS AND CAREERS | FINANCES
Texas Reality Check
Curious how your college and career path will impact your future income? How easy it will be to pay off student loans? Find out.
Important Dates and Deadlines
JAN
15
GRADE 12
Dell Scholars Program deadline
Jan
15
GRADE 12
Texas priority deadline for TASFA and FAFSA
OCT
01
GRADE 12
FAFSA, TASFA, and CSS Profile open
JUN
30
GRADE 12
FAFSA closes
All Resources for Finances
Middle School
College for All Texans
COLLEGE PLANNING | FINANCES
Find out your options on how to pay for college education costs. Understand tuition and fees, financial aid, and scholarships and loans.
Tomorrow Ready Texas
FAMILY RESOURCES
Tomorrow Ready Texas is a free college and career planning resource for parents and guardians of students in 8th grade through 12th grade.
Early High School
Texas Reality Check
JOBS AND CAREERS | FINANCES
Curious how your college and career path will impact your future income? How easy it will be to pay off student loans? Find out.
Adventures in Education
FINANCES
Access financial aid information, money management tools, and scholarship opportunities as students prepare to pay for college.
College for All Texans
COLLEGE PLANNING | FINANCES
Find out your options on how to pay for college education costs. Understand tuition and fees, financial aid, and scholarships and loans.
BigFuture
COLLEGE PLANNING
Learn what colleges offer your major, where you can get in, how much schools cost, and more with this College Board resource.
Texas Career Check
JOBS AND CAREERS
Learn about hundreds of careers with this career search for high school students. Explore salaries, popularity, and more.
Tomorrow Ready Texas
FAMILY RESOURCES
Tomorrow Ready Texas is a free college and career planning resource for parents and guardians of students in 8th grade through 12th grade.
Late High School
Roadtrip Texas: Paying for College
FINANCES
Many students feel stress and apprehension about paying for college. In this video, students like you discuss the ways in which they tackled this problem, from school selection to scholarship applications and more.
THECB Student Loans
FINANCIAL AID
Since 1965, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has provided low-interest student loans in Texas to Texas residents who are eligible to pay in-state tuition.
Texas Reality Check
JOBS AND CAREERS | FINANCES
Curious how your college and career path will impact your future income? How easy it will be to pay off student loans? Find out.
Adventures in Education
FINANCES
Access financial aid information, money management tools, and scholarship opportunities as students prepare to pay for college.
FAFSA
FINANCES
Federal funding is the largest source of financial aid. Apply for grants, loans, and other types of aid with this free application.
Federal Student Aid
FINANCES
Understand exactly how FAFSA funds are distributed and benefit students with this tool from the US Department of Education.
Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
FINANCES
This financial aid application allows students that are ineligible to complete the FAFSA to apply for state financial aid programs in Texas.
College for All Texans
COLLEGE PLANNING | FINANCES
Find out your options on how to pay for college education costs. Understand tuition and fees, financial aid, and scholarships and loans.
College Scorecard
COLLEGE PLANNING | FINANCES
Compare colleges and universities based on information such as average cost, graduation rate, and salary after graduation.
BigFuture
COLLEGE PLANNING
Learn what colleges offer your major, where you can get in, how much schools cost, and more with this College Board resource.
Texas Career Check
JOBS AND CAREERS
Learn about hundreds of careers with this career search for high school students. Explore salaries, popularity, and more.
Texas Wages
JOBS AND CAREERS | FINANCES
Help students explore the difference between future careers and how much they pay with this simple tool from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Tomorrow Ready Texas
FAMILY RESOURCES
Tomorrow Ready Texas is a free college and career planning resource for parents and guardians of students in 8th grade through 12th grade.
Financial aid graduation requirement
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Find comprehensive information and resources for students, their families, counselors and advisors, and community partners to meet the financial aid graduation requirement.
