Submit That FAFSA Early = More Texas Grants!

There are many ways completing the FAFSA can help you pay for college. Scholarships, grants, and loans are all parts of the financial aid process that can help reduce the overall cost of going to a college or university after high school. The best part about scholarships and grants - the money doesn’t need to be paid back!

In some states, including Texas, aid is disbursed on a first-come-first-serve basis, until the money runs out. On average, students who complete the FAFSA early receive twice as much funding as students who file later. By filling out the FAFSA as soon as possible, you may be eligible for a great list of federal or Texas state grants! In Texas, the FAFSA Priority Deadline is January 15th -  students submitting by this date will have priority to these great funds. 

HOW TO START THE FAFSA

To begin filling out your FAFSA, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. Click “I am a student and want to access the FAFSA form.” If you have never completed the FAFSA before, you will be prompted to create an FSA ID. You will need this ID in order to complete the FAFSA. To create your FSA ID, you will need your social security number, a reliable phone number, and your email address. To complete the rest of the FAFSA, we have outlined everything you need to know HERE!

TEXAS GRANTS

Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)

• Up to $3,420 per year for eligible students and up to $5,130 per year for eligible undergraduate students “with exceptional financial need”
• For students that attend nonprofit private colleges and universities in Texas

Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success Grant Program (TEXAS Grant)

• Provides up to $5,039 per semester for eligible students with financial need studying at a Texas public university or health-related institution
• Priority consideration given to recent high school graduates or after an honorable military discharge

Texas Public Educational Grant Program (TPEG)

• Only Texas two-year public institutions may participate including community colleges, public technical institutes, or public state colleges
• A full times student may receive (for the year) $4,965 at a public community college, $8,601 at a public technical school, or $5,961 at a public state college

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program (TEOG)

• Grant aid for students enrolled in a Texas public two-year college
• Full-time eligible students may receive up to $3,979 per semester at a public technical school, $1,707 per semester at a public community college or $1,533 per semester at a public state college (amounts change each academic year)

More state and federal grants and scholarships can be found at the College for All Texans website or at the Get Schooled Texas Scholarship page!

Submit the FAFSA or the TASFA by the Texas priority deadline on January 15! Need help with your FAFSA or TASFA? Text #Texas to 33-55-77 for personalized support from one of our virtual advisors.