FAFSA Resources

sUBMIT fafsa, tasfa OR OPT-OUT Evidence HERE

The Deep Dive Podcast

The Deep Dive is an AI Generated Podcast created by connecting the resources on this site with NotebookLM. AI can sometimes make mistakes. We have reviewd this podcast for accuracy, but we encourage listeners to vett the information themselves as well

Introduction to FAFSA Audio

FAFSA & TASFA Support

FAFSA Text 'Hello'

Getting Started with FAFSA & General FAFSA Support

Getting Started with FAFSA

Completing the new FAFSA should be quicker and easier than completing the old version. The Department of Education has acknowledged that the implementation has not been without hiccups, but they are working to fix those as they come up. This year may be a little bumpy, but we anticipate huge benefits from the new form.

Students and families can visit StudentAid.gov/fillingout for resources about completing the 2024–25 FAFSA form—including information about creating a StudentAid.gov account without a Social Security number, how to complete the new 2024–25 FAFSA form, and what to do before and after completing the FAFSA form.

Use the FAFSA Simplification Page created by OSU for additional assistance.

You may also want to use The Ultimate Guide for Financial Aid and FAFSA created by Study.com.

General FAFSA Support

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.

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

Support Articles for Special Circumstances

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

Translated Resorces

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

TASFA Information

The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is used by participating institutions of higher education in Texas to collect information to help determine a student’s eligibility for state financial aid. This page is a rich resource of information that will help you understand your eligibility and help walk you through the ins and outs of applying.

Find everything you need to know about TASFA and links to complete the online form on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's TASFA website.

Tips & Toolkits

Financial Aid Toolkits

Gather the Information You Need

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.)

Avoid Common Mistakes

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.

Department of Ed Webinars

Federal Student Aid Videos

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.

FAFSA/TASFA & Opt-Out Requirements

Why do I Have to do This?

How do I Submit My FAFSA, TASFA, or Opt-Out Evidence?

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.

FAFSA Tools [For Students Who Have a Social Security Number]

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)

FAFSA Tools [For Students Who Have a Social Security Number]

StudentAid.Gov - You may submit your FAFSA directly to the federal government's site.

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)

FAQs

Why are we required to do this? (FAFSA or TASFA the Legalese)

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

Where can I get help with my FAFSA?

I have specific question about parts of FAFSA. Where can I find help?

TASFA Tools [For Students Who Do Not Have a Social Security Number]

Opt-Out Tools [For Students Who Are Not Completing the FAFSA or TASFA]

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 to college.

If you are sure that you do not plan to attend college, you may complete the opt-out form below and submit it using the FAFSA/TASFA/OPT-OUT FORM link HERE. Please note that the opt-out 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)

New Panel

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)