FINANCIAL AID
COLLEGE OFFERED AID
Most colleges and and universities automatically review your college application to see if it meets their institutional aid criteria. Colleges are increasingly using a combination of loans, scholarships, grants and work-study to fill the gap between the cost of attendance and what a family can contribute.
The amount a family can pay is usually determined by the information they provide on the FAFSA, TASFA, or CSS, including tax data, assets and family size.
Most colleges and and universities automatically review your college application to see if it meets their institutional aid criteria. Colleges are increasingly using a combination of loans, scholarships, grants and work-study to fill the gap between the cost of attendance and what a family can contribute.
The amount a family can pay is usually determined by the information they provide on the FAFSA, TASFA, or CSS, including tax data, assets and family size.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid. Students who may not be eligible for need-based aid may still be eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan regardless of income or circumstances.
A student who meets the following criteria may be eligible for aid:
Students are able to fill out the FAFSA form in October of their senior year by using their parents' income tax returns from the previous year.
WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED WHEN I FILL OUT THE FAFSA?
Here’s a checklist! You should have the following information and documents with you as you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid. Students who may not be eligible for need-based aid may still be eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan regardless of income or circumstances.
A student who meets the following criteria may be eligible for aid:
- has registered with the Selective Service System (for Conscription in the United States) between the ages of 18 and 25, if required to do so;
- maintains at least a C average minimum GPA for federal student aid or a higher minimum set by the school for institutional aid eligibility;
- is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen;
- has a valid Social Security number;
- has a high school diploma or GED;
- sign the certification statement stating that: 1) not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and 2) federal student aid will only be used for educational purposes;
- has not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs while federal aid was being received.
Students are able to fill out the FAFSA form in October of their senior year by using their parents' income tax returns from the previous year.
WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED WHEN I FILL OUT THE FAFSA?
Here’s a checklist! You should have the following information and documents with you as you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
- Your Social Security number
- Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are providing parent information*
- Your driver’s license number if you have one
- Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen
- Federal tax information or tax returns** including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are providing parent information
- Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans non-education benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are providing parent information
- Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including real estate but not including the home in which you live; and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are providing parent information
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* Not sure whether you will need to put your parents’ information on the FAFSA? Check out “Am I Dependent or Independent?” at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
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GETTING AN FSA ID NUMBER FOR FAFSA
In order to sign your FAFSA electronically, you’ll need a username and password combination called a FSA ID. Your FSA ID also can be used to sign loan contracts and to access certain information online. You can get your FSA ID as you fill out the FAFSA, but you also have the option to get it ahead of time. |
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TASFA
TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) is for non-citizens who are classified as Texas residents. If you are a foreign student or non-citizen, you may be eligible to be classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes. Consult your institution's financial aid office to confirm eligibility. |
CSS
by Greg Daugherty
Money Magazine
The CSS/Financial Aid Profile (College Scholarship Service) is an online aid application used by some 300 colleges and scholarship providers. It is administered by the College Board, the organization behind the SAT and other standardized tests.
Unlike the more widely used FAFSA, which is required for any kind of federal aid, as well as for assistance from most states and colleges, the CSS Profile is just for private, non-federal aid.
Also unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile isn’t free. Creating an application and sending it to one college or scholarship program costs $25; each additional college or program is $16. The College Board will waive the fees for low-income, U.S.-based students who are applying to college for the first time.
The CSS Profile requires much more financial information than the FAFSA. Besides providing family income and savings information, you’ll have to report the value of your home, retirement accounts, and small business if you have one. But the CSS Profile also takes into account more expenses, such as the cost of living in your area and any money your family spends on private schools. According to the College Board, completing it generally takes from 45 minutes to two hours.
by Greg Daugherty
Money Magazine
The CSS/Financial Aid Profile (College Scholarship Service) is an online aid application used by some 300 colleges and scholarship providers. It is administered by the College Board, the organization behind the SAT and other standardized tests.
Unlike the more widely used FAFSA, which is required for any kind of federal aid, as well as for assistance from most states and colleges, the CSS Profile is just for private, non-federal aid.
Also unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile isn’t free. Creating an application and sending it to one college or scholarship program costs $25; each additional college or program is $16. The College Board will waive the fees for low-income, U.S.-based students who are applying to college for the first time.
The CSS Profile requires much more financial information than the FAFSA. Besides providing family income and savings information, you’ll have to report the value of your home, retirement accounts, and small business if you have one. But the CSS Profile also takes into account more expenses, such as the cost of living in your area and any money your family spends on private schools. According to the College Board, completing it generally takes from 45 minutes to two hours.