1. UTRGV Financial Aid Office

2. Financial Aid: The Application
The process of applying for financial aid begins with completing the financial aid application, a FAFSA or TASFA. You must complete an application each year that you plan to attend college/university.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used for students that want to apply for federal and state student aid. The application can be completed online beginning October 1, 2016 at
The Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is the state version. This application is completed in paper and is submitted to each university of choice. The application will be available to complete beginning October 1, It will be available at or may be available in the college or university website under Forms section

3. FAFSA or TASFA
FAFSA: Federal student aid is only available to U.S citizens or legal permanent residents. This requirement applies only to the student. Thus, if you are a U.S citizen or have a permanent resident card (number in card will be required) you can complete a FAFSA application.
The TASFA is available in the state of Texas for students that are not U.S citizens or legal permanent residents, but that may be classified as Texas residents under laws HB 1403 and SB This application can only be used for Texas public institutions. Private institutions in Texas and out of state institutions may have a different application.
**Important**Students under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that are planning to attend a public college or university in Texas and meet the SB 1528 Law criteria should use the TASFA unless the college or university request a different application.

4. Senate Bill Law 1528
Under Senate Bill Law 1528, a student that is not a U.S citizen or legal permanent resident can be considered a resident of Texas and be eligible to pay in-state tuition and to receive state financial aid. The requirements to qualify under this law are:
Graduate from a Texas High School
Have resided in Texas 36 months before graduating from High School
Have resided in Texas 12 months prior to enrolling in a college or university
Students that meet this criteria can complete a TASFA

5. Information Needed SSN Number (parent and student (if applicable)
Permanent resident card (for students that are permanent residents)
2015 Tax return and W-2 forms for parents (if applicable)
2015 Foreign Tax return for parents (if applicable)
2015 Tax Return and w-2 forms for student (if applicable)
Other income information for 2015 that is not found on tax returns, such as Social Security Benefits, Veteran Benefits, Disability Benefits, Child Support.
For FAFSA application student and one parent will need to obtain an FSA ID (username and password) to sign the FAFSA application.
If the parent(s) do not have a SSN then the parent cannot obtain an FSA ID and will sign the FAFSA on paper.

6. FSA ID –Tips
Always create an FSA ID with an address (it’s the easiest way to retrieve if you forget it)
Student and parent must use a different address
Do not use a work or school . Use only a personal .
You should access the account (on a separate browser) before starting to create an FSA ID
Once your FSA ID is created you can validate your immediately and this allows for your address to become the username for your FSA ID.

7. Importance of Applying Early
Colleges and universities may have Priority Deadlines
Improves chance of obtaining financial aid that is limited in funding
Deadline for some state programs (Texas Grant)
Allows to have time to submit additional documents and make corrections if necessary
UTRGV RECOMMENDED PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 15

8. Types of Financial Aid
Grants: Free money based on financial need . Available from federal, state and institutional sources. Sometimes limited in funding. Applying as early as possible increases your chances of getting all the grants your are eligible for.
Loans: Money that must be paid back with interest. Available from federal and state sources. Only state loans can be limited in funding.
Work Study: Money that can be earned from a part-time job on or off-campus; based on financial need. Can be limited in funding. If interested, answer yes to question on FAFSA and follow up with school on how you can request work-study.
Scholarships: Free money based on merit. Usually require additional application(s). Available from institutional and private sources.

9. Grants
Free money based on financial need that does not have to be repaid. Available from federal, state and in some cases institutional resources. Examples of grants:
Pell Grant-need based federal grant. Completing the FAFSA will give an estimate of Pell grant eligibility.
SEOG Grant: need based federal grant for Pell eligible students with the most need; very limited in funding
Texas Grant-need based state grant. Has some academic requirements. Funds available can be very limited and can vary from school to school.
TPEG grant: need based state grant. Funds can be limited and usually awarded on a first come- first served basis.

10. Student Loans
Borrowed money that has to be repaid with interest. Can be need based or non-need based.
Federal Direct Subsidized loan-loan for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The federal government pays the interest while the student is in school
Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan: loan for students that do not demonstrate financial need. The interest accrues while the student is in school
Parent PLUS loan available to parents of dependent students; does not require need.

11. Work-Study
The federal and state work-study programs provide part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
Jobs are typically on campus although some off-campus jobs can be available
Allows students to earn money while gaining experience
Flexible work-schedules that do not conflict with classes

12. Scholarships
Free money that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, need, and achievement in academics, athletics, the arts, or other scholarly areas. They can be available from the college or university, from community organizations or from private funds. These may require an additional application.
Some colleges or universities use the Admissions application for some scholarships
Each college or university may also have a separate scholarship application.
UTRGV scholarship application available at Deadline January 15 for Entering Freshmen.
Private and community scholarship program resources
High School Counselors
Internet searches (as long as there are no fees).

13. Resources For additional information, please visit: www.studentaid.gov
UTRGV Financial Aid Office and Scholarship Office Information