How to Create an FSA ID - In order to complete your FAFSA, you will need to create a studentaid.gov account (known as an FSA ID). If you are a dependent, those who claim you on their income tax will be contributors to your FAFSA. All contributors will also need an FSA ID. 

FAFSA 'How To' Videos - Over 30 videos by uAspire to help answer your questions about FAFSA. 

FAFSA Checklist in English

Pro Tips for the 24-25 FAFSA - Tips from the U.S. Department of Education to help you with your FAFSA. 

 

 

 

Students with Unusual Circumstances

Six Steps to Appeal for More Financial Aid

Quick Guide to Making Financial Aid Application Changes

24-25 How to Review and Correct Your FAFSA Form (VIDEO) 

FSA: How to Submit the 2024-25 FAFSA Form if Your Contributor Doesn't Have an SSN

FSA: Update on Access to the 24-25 FAFSA Form for individuals without SSNs

Dept of Ed: Better FAFSA Corrections and Completion Guidance for Students (VIDEO)

Dept of Ed: Better FAFSA Corrections and Completion Guidance for Parents (VIDEO)

Nine reasons a student wouldn't ask a parent to provide information on the FAFSA

Think twich before you answer "yes" to this FAFSA question

How Do I Make Corrections of the FAFSA

 

FAFSA Checklist Translated - Access to seven additional translations of the UAspire FAFSA Checklist. 

Financial Aid Checklist Translated - Seven additonal translations of the UAspire Financial Aid Checklist.

FAFSA Checklist en Espanol

Declaración y validación de identidad 

2024-25 Formulario FAFSA Finale 

Proceso FAFSA...Próximos Pasos

Como Crear un FSA ID Para Aquellos sin un Número de Seguro Social

2024-25 lista preparativa para la FAFSA 

FAFSA Updates from the Texas College Access Network

We recognize the significant difficulties that many practitioners and their students, especially those from mixed-status families, have faced while submitting their FAFSA applications in this financial aid cycle. Therefore, we want to keep you updated about the latest announcements from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) regarding a solution and workaround for students from mixed-status families.

On February 20^th, the Department of Education provided the following updates:

• A “Mid-March” Resolution: The Department of Education has committed to fix the FAFSA submission problems for students with a contributor (parent) without a Social Security number by the “first half of March”.

• The Workaround: Until then, students from mixed-status families can use a workaround to record a submission date to meet earlier deadlines for aid from institutions, scholarships, or state aid programs.

  • How does this workaround work?: The nine-step workaround process will result in a submitted incomplete FAFSA and will require the contributor(s) [parent(s)] without a SSN to return in the first half of March to correct and sign the online application.

• FSA ID Improvement for Non-SSN Contributors: The Education Department is improving the process for contributors without a Social Security number to create their FSA ID. If they can’t complete the TransUnion identity check, they’ll get an automated email with a case number and next steps. This should make it faster to submit required ID documents and reduce wait times for calls to the information center.

How should students and parents proceed with this workaround?

• The Department of Education (ED) and the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) both caution that the online workaround should only be used by those who have not already submitted a paper FAFSA.

• We encourage students to reach out to individual colleges and university financial aid offices for guidance on this workaround in order to make an informed decision.

As always, remember that the CCMR staff is here to help if we can.

Texas OnCourse - Links to Department of Education Tools

National College Attainment Network - Navigating the Challenges of the 2024-25 FAFSA

What Will You Need?

• Patience (It is shorter, but there are still a few bumps in the process.)
•  Student and contributor Social Security Number
• Your own email adddress (DO NOT use your NISD email address. If you do not have your own personal email account create one before moving on.) 
• FSA IDs for student and all contributors to your FAFSA (Go to StudentAid.gov/fillingout for help.)
• Parent/Guardian 2021 and 2022 Income Tax Information (If 2023 is ready, you might want those as well.)
• Names and ID numbers for colleges you want your FAFSA information to be sent to (You should be able to select up to 20 colleges.)

Birthdate Errors: One common mistake that happens at this stage is the wrong year on the student's birth date. It is easy when you are quickly typing to forget and type the current year istead of yur birth year.

FSA ID: Everyone contributing to the student's FAFSA must have their own FSA ID. Students cannot submit their FAFSA without their parent/guardian information even if they will recieve no financial support for college.

There are currently no Department of Ed Webinars scheduled.

The U.S. Department of Education has created several videos to assist you as you complete your FAFSA. Visit their YouTube site and select "Playlists" to access videos by topic. 

Some of our favorites include: 

What does it mean to provide consent and approval on the FAFSA? 

How do I complete the FAFSA if my parents are divorced or separated?

 

 

Understanding your FAFSA Submission Summary (This is what happens after you submit your FAFSA.)

Click here to view this FSAOutreach video. 

Here are links to additional videos that you may find helpful. 

Why Should I Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form

Understanding the New FAFSA Submission Summary

2024-2024 FAFSA Contributor Prep (This is a pre-launch video, but it contains some important information.)

Starting with the 2021-2022 school year, all high school seniors must submit a financial aid application to graduate. That's right; it is a State of Texas high school graduation requirement.

The good news is that it is one of the easiest graduation requirements.

Because this is a graduation requirement, Seniors must submit evidence that they have completed either the FAFSA/TASFA or the Opt-Out Form using the FAFSA/TASFA/Opt-Out Form link HERE. Take note that the link will require you to submit one of the following as evidence of completion. 

FAFSA - A screenshot of your "Congratulations" page showing your name and stating that your FAFSA has been submitted.

TASFA - A screenshot of your submission page. See your campus CCF for assistance. 

Opt-Out - A photo or PDF of your completed Opt-Out Form.

Opt-Out Form in English (PDF)

Opt-Out Form en Espanol (PDF)

 

Incomplete or inaccurate submissions will be returned for resubmission. 

StudentAid.Gov - You may submit your FAFSA directly to the federal government's site on your own instead of using GoingMerry. 

FAFSA/TASFA/Opt-Out Submission Form

Keep your data secure! You should never be asked to pay to complete your FAFSA. If you find yourself on a site that requires payment leave and make sure you visit StudentAid.Gov. 

Opt-Out Form in English (PDF)

Opt-Out Form en Espanol (PDF)

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 take a copy of the submission screen or EFC letter and submit that using THIS FORM.  

TASFA Instructions in English (PDF)

TASFA Instructions in Spanish (PDF)

It is important that you have your FAFSA submitted by the state deadline for the college you are attending. If you are considering multiple colleges in several states, choose the earliest one. You can find the full list of state deadlines HERE.