GoingMerry - GoingMerry provides a simple, user-friendly platform to walk you through completing the FAFSA step-by-step.  GoingMerry is a safe and secure way to submit your FAFSA and provides the bonus of helping you identify scholarships that are right for you. GoingMerry is also available as you complete FAFSA while you are attending college.  Additional support for using GoingMerry is available in the FAQs below.  

StudentAid.Gov - We recommend using GoingMerry as a safe and secure way to complete and submit your FAFSA. However, you may submit your FAFSA directly to the federal government's site on your own instead of using GoingMerry. If you choose this option, you MUST log in to your GoingMerry account and enter your EFC (expected family contribution) to record that you have met the graduation requirement. 

This section does not apply to you if you have a social security number.

If you are a Texas resident and DO NOT have a social security number, you are not eligible to submit a FAFSA. However, Texas still has financial aid available for you. You should complete the TASFA application and submit it directly to your college or university.  The TASFA form and instructions are available to download in English and Spanish. Once you have submitted your TASFA and received your EFC (expected family contribution), you MUST log in to your GoingMerry account and enter your EFC to record that you have met this graduation requirement. 

TASFA Instructions in English (PDF)

TASFA Instructions in Spanish (PDF)

Even if you are not planning to go to college or know you will not be eligible for federal or state financial aid, we still encourage you to submit the FAFSA or TASFA. Colleges use this information to provide access to work-study programs, grants, and college-based financial aid.  In addition, we know that plans often change as graduation draws near, and having a submitted form gives you a safety net in case your goals turn toward going. 

If you are sure that you do not plan to attend college, you may complete the opt-out form below and submit it to your counselor. Please note that this form requires your signature and your parent or guardian's signature if you are under 18.

Opting Out

A student may opt out of the financial aid application graduation requirement if:

• a parent or guardian submits a signed form;
• the student is 18 years of age or older and submits a signed form; or
• a school counselor authorizes the student to decline to complete and submit the application for a good cause.

Opt-Out Form in English (PDF)

Opt-Out Form en Espanol (PDF)

Please bring your completed Opt-Out form to your counselor so they can document that you have selected the opt-out option in your graduation records. 

FAFSA or TAFSA Financial Aid Requirement for Graduation

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, beginning with students enrolled in 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:  

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
• Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); or
• Submit a signed opt-out form.

Laws and Rules

In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature established the a requirement for Texas students to complete a financial aid application (or formally opt-out) to graduate.  The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted rules related to the new requirement in January 2021.  

Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B. Graduation Requirements (effective August 1, 2021)

House Bill (HB) 3 required the commissioner to adopt rules as necessary to implement the requirement.  These rules were drafted in consultation with a statewide advisory committee and were published in October 2021.  

Chapter 74. Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter BB. Commissioner's Rules Concerning High School Graduation 

Start by logging in to your Going Merry account or downloading the app on your cellphone.  Going Merry is designed to walk you step-by-step through the process. 

Please see your counselor or college and career facilitator if you still need assistance. 

Yes. Going Merry has strict security protocols, including encryption of all information and safe storage of your data. In addition, they do NOT sell your data to third parties. 

Students received a first-time log-in email from Going Merry. If they haven't received their email or inadvertently deleted it, they can send an email to support@goingmerry.com and include their school name, student email address, and their name. Students can also see their counselor or CCMR specialist or email CCR@nisdtx.org for help retrieving their password. This will allow Going Merry to assist them in recovering their account.   

Going Merry has a database of helpful articles in case you run into a situation that requires more detailed support. CLICK HERE to access that database. 

Because Going Merry is a 3rd-Party tool, there is a slight delay in the connection to the federal aid site. However, this ten-day difference will not impact your aid eligibility. We feel like the benefit of the tool outweighs the delay in submission. However, if you prefer not to wait, you can submit the FAFSA earlier by completing it on the federal aid website. 

Remember, if you choose to complete it on the federal site, we still need you to enter your EFC in Going Merry once you get it. This is how we can document that you have met the graduation requirement. 

GoingMerry Financial Aid Spotlight - This video gives a brief overview of Going Merry to help you get started with your account and search for scholarships.  

We do recommend everyone uses the DRT, but Going Merry provides it at the end. Here's why:

1. The DRT can hinder completion for students because it sometimes does not connect right away. This leads to many students forgetting to return and complete their applications. 
2. Entering the information vs. utilizing the DRT takes around the same amount of time to upload and review. Going Merry makes the questions easier to understand and navigate, so most students and parents can quickly get through the finance sections. 
3. Parents often feel more comfortable knowing what is being collected. If a student or parent gets stuck, they should reach out to support@goingmerry.com and have one of their FAFSA Experts review the issue. 

Great news! Since Going Merry is free, you can go ahead and set up your own account.

1. Go to www.GoingMerry.com
2. Click on "Sign Up" in the top right corner.
3. Make sure to indicate that you are a student and choose "Sign up by email."
4. Once you have created your account, simply connect your account to your high school campus. To view step-by-step instructions for connecting your account, CLICK HERE. Don't worry. It's easier than sending an email. 

Keep in mind that Going Merry is a nationwide company, so their response times will vary depending on the volume of support messages they receive. As a general rule of thumb, allowing 48 hours for a response is a good idea. If you do not hear from them by then, remember you can contact your counselor, CCMR specialist, or email CCR@nisdtx.org, and we can help you out. 

Going Merry has made it easy for you to get the support you need.  Below are three options if you need additional help.

1. Send an email to support@goingmerry.com

2. Stop by and see your campus college and career specialist or your counselor.

3. Email the College and Career Readiness team at ccr@nisdtx.org