FAFSA
Financial Aid Support
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All students are required to submit a financial aid application to graduate. Each year, billions of dollars in financial aid go unclaimed. In Texas, students miss out on approximately $300 million in grant funding (free money) annually by not enrolling in college or other postsecondary education or training.
Texas's new graduation requirement encourages students to access these funds and pursue education or training after high school.
Families play an important role in the financial aid process. Students benefit from support and encouragement at home, and many will also need to provide parental information when completing their applications.
Although the financial aid process may seem complex, resources are available to help guide families through each step. Continue reading to learn how you can best support your student this year.
This PDF workbook guides FAFSA completion and includes helpful links.
Introduction to FAFSA
What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used to apply for financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, more than 13 million students complete the FAFSA and receive over $120 billion in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education.
Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine students' eligibility for financial aid and the amount they may receive. The FAFSA requires information about you and your family's finances, including tax information; therefore, parental assistance is often needed to complete the application.
FAFSA Facts
- Submitting the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in the financial aid process.
- The FAFSA is free; you do not need to pay anyone to complete or submit it.
- A new FAFSA must be submitted each academic year in which you wish to receive financial aid.
- Use a permanent email address (not your high school email) so you can access your account throughout college.
- Completing the FAFSA is one of six steps required to qualify for a $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship.
- Students who submit the FAFSA may qualify for a $1,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship.
Step 1: Create a FAFSA ID:
Whether you are a student, parent, or borrower, you must create your own account to complete federal student aid tasks.
What you can use your account for
- Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
- Signing your Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Completing loan counseling
- Using the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool
Items Needed to create an account
- Social Security Number
- Your own mobile number and/or email address
After creating a FAFSA ID, follow the next eight steps in the link below:
Filling out the FAFSA
Who should complete the FAFSA?
Any student planning to attend college during the next academic year should complete the FAFSA
Why Complete the FAFSA?
Each year, millions of dollars in federal financial aid go unclaimed by students who do not submit the FAFSA. If you do not apply, you will not be eligible for most forms of financial aid.
Eligibility is not limited to low-income families. Even families with higher incomes (e.g., $200,000 annually) may qualify for certain types of aid.
Submitting the FAFSA also provides access to low-interest federal student loans, which are typically more affordable than many private loan options. Additionally, many work-study programs and some merit-based scholarships require FAFSA completion to determine eligibility and award amounts.
How to Complete the FAFSA?
There are several ways to complete and submit the FAFSA:
- Online through the official website (ed.gov)
- Through the myStudentAid mobile app (available on iOS and Android devices)
Completing the FAFSA online or through the mobile app is recommended, as both options provide helpful guidance throughout the application process.
When completing the FAFSA electronically, you will need to create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) to sign and submit the form. A parent or guardian must also create a FSA ID to provide the required signature.
Filling out FAFSA parent information
If you are considered a dependent student for the FAFSA, you must provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application.
A legal parent includes you biologial or adoptive parent, or a parent recognized by state law (for example, a parent listed on your birth certificate). Unless otherwise specified, the term "parent" refers to your legal, biological, and/or adoptive parent.