
Have a senior? Starting this school year, all students must submit a financial aid application to graduate. Every year, billions of financial aid dollars go unclaimed. And in Texas, students miss out on roughly $300 million in grants (free money) each year by simply not enrolling in college. Texas’ new graduation requirement gives students an extra push to get these funds and pursue education or training after high school.
Families play an important role in the financial aid process. Not only do students benefit from motivation at home, but many students will need to report parental information on their application.
While applying for financial aid can seem confusing, we’ve gathered some tools and resources to help you through the process. Keep reading to find out how you can best support your student this school year.
Want to better understand how you can support your student this school year? Keep reading to learn:
- About Texas’ new graduation requirement
- How financial aid helps students
- How to help your student prepare for the application
- Where to get more support
- How to help your student with next steps
Understand Texas’ new graduation requirement Texas Education Code states that starting with the 2021–22 school year, students must take one of the following actions to graduate:
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*Note: Under certain conditions, students can choose to decline the graduation requirement by submitting a signed opt-out form to their school counselor. The form is also available in Spanish. Keep in mind that students who opt out of the requirement can still complete and submit a financial aid application if they change their mind. Be sure to reach out to your student’s school counselor if you have further questions. |
Understand how financial aid helps students Financial aid is money to help pay for college or training after high school. By submitting the FAFSA or the TASFA, students can get financial aid for the upcoming school year. So even if your student isn’t sure about attending college now, completing an application leaves the door open for this decision later in the year. |
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Availability of aid Free aid Long-term impact on student goals |
Help your student prepare for the application As your student gets ready to complete a financial aid application, they may need your support in the following areas:
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Figuring out which application to complete Students will submit one of the following applications to apply for financial aid:
*Note: Parental citizenship status does not impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid.
When applying for financial aid, students are considered either dependent or independent. Financial aid dependency is not the same as IRS/tax dependency. Dependent students must report parent income information on their application. Here, “parent” only refers to biological or adoptive parents. The following resources can help you figure out your student’s dependency status and which parent (if any) to report on their financial aid application:
Completing the FAFSA or TASFA is much easier if you have the information you need to complete the form. Students and parents of dependent students may need the following to complete their application:
See the Financial Aid Application Checklist for a list of materials needed to complete the application. Encourage your student to connect with the college’s financial aid office about any extra documentation they may need from students. *Parents who are not eligible to create an FSA ID can sign the FAFSA by printing, signing, and mailing the FAFSA signature page to Federal Student Aid. Resource spotlight: Watch Federal Student Aid’s FSA ID tutorial to learn how to create an FSA ID. Hint: Students should use a personal email address for any financial aid or college accounts. Students will lose their district-assigned email addresses after they graduate high school.
Financial aid is offered in annual cycles that run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Students should complete an application for the year they are requesting financial aid, and not the current academic year. The FAFSA and TASFA are available October 1 each year. This is the earliest date that a student can complete and submit their application to apply for aid during the upcoming school year. Financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so encourage your student to apply as early as possible after October 1. Help your student keep track of the following financial aid deadlines:
Keep in mind that students need to apply for financial aid every year they’re in school. Visit Federal Student Aid to learn more about when to apply for financial aid.
Everyone makes mistakes. But when it comes to your student’s financial aid application, making a mistake could cost them. Help your student avoid these 10 common FAFSA mistakes when they fill out their application. |
Know where to get additional support You aren’t the only person who can help your student complete a financial aid application. Ask your student’s school counselor about financial aid events or other opportunities for support. Some schools host campus-wide events on nights or weekends. Others have financial aid “office hours” during the school day. Your student may also be able to work on their application during class. Remind your student what information they’ll need if this is the case. |
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Before meeting with a school counselor or other financial aid adviser, preview the application so you better understand where you and your student need help.
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Help your student with next steps Submitting a financial aid application is only the first step to getting money for college or training after high school. Learn how to support your student in what comes next. |
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Big takeaway: Encourage students to check any communication portals frequently. This includes their email, their FSA account, any college application portals they’ve created, and regular snail mail. Visit Federal Student Aid to learn more about what to do after submitting a financial aid application. These steps might look different for students completing the TASFA. Encourage your student to contact the colleges they’re applying to if they have questions or concerns about applying, receiving, or maintaining eligibility for financial aid. Resource spotlight: uAspire’s College Cost Calculator can help students analyze and compare financial aid offers. |
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Resource Library
Explore the following resources to better support your student in completing and submitting a financial aid application this school year.
General resources
Resources to support completing and submitting the FAFSA
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Resources to support completing and submitting the TASFA
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Resources to support analyzing financial aid offers
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